Econic Technologies recently launched its Recreaire carbonate ethoxylate surfactants, derived through a first-of-its-kind platform technology that uses carbon dioxide as a key raw material. Recreaire is designed to offer high-performing alternatives to conventional ethoxylates while significantly lowering environmental impact.
Flexible Platform Enabling New Properties
As the company explains, Recreaire enables both workhorse surfactants and tailored molecules, including fatty alcohol ethoxylate (FAE) alternatives and ethoxy sulfates. Varying the amounts of CO₂ by up to 45% enables the introduction of new properties into the molecular structure, reportedly creating unique benefits for products across industries.
The first three FAE equivalent concepts introduced with different CO₂ incorporation levels include:
- Recreaire 10RC30,
- Recreaire 13RC28 and
- Recreaire 14RC21.
Each variant offers distinct characteristics and benefits tailored to specific applications.
In general, the Recreaire line is applicable across industrial and institutional cleaners, personal care, coatings, agriculture, metalworking fluids and lubricants. Additional aspects include:
- Effective in nonionic, anionic and cationic formulations;
- Liquid in form, with excellent handling properties;
- Stable across a range of conditions; and
- Odorless or low-odor, suitable for clear formulations.
CO2 Reduction for Sustainability Benefits
According to the company, an independent lifecycle analysis shows that Recreaire delivers up to a 65% reduction in global warming potential (GWP) (CO2-equivalent emissions), compared with conventional fatty alcohol ethoxylates. This increases to 75% when comparing the hydrophobe components of Recreaire FAE replacements to conventional fatty alcohols.
Additional reported advantages include:
- Biodegradable (OECD),
- No detectable 1,4-dioxane,
- Compatible with existing alkoxylation assets and
- Does not compete with food-grade carbon sources.
Game-changing Technology for Scalable, Sustainable Solutions
“We’re at the beginning of an exciting journey," said Simon Bennett, commercial director for surfactants at Econic. "Recreaire is a game-changing technology that solves customers’ long-term needs for scalable and sustainable, high-performing products."
Anthea Blackburn, technical director for surfactants at Econic, added, “Recreaire surfactants deliver compelling technical and sustainability performance by unlocking the benefits of CO₂. ... [W]e are excited to be extending the Recreaire technology further to a range of other markets."
The launch of Recreaire builds on Econic’s broader portfolio of renewable carbon technologies, which also includes polyols made from CO₂. The company has several commercial agreements with polyol producers in the US, Europe and Asia.
