Today's global solvent market encompasses products and applications that vary greatly in performance requirements and technical sophistication. This diverse market includes use in dry cleaning, paints, coatings, adhesives, and technically sophisticated applications such as automotive and aerospace electronics, computer components, medical products, and precision metal and plastics cleaning. The range of solvents available includes

Solvents are used in manufacturing of sophisticated electronic components.

trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene (primarily for dry-cleaning use), water, alcohol, hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons, both hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The solvent market has changed dramatically over the past decade. Previously, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were the overwhelming solvent choice for many market segments due to their effectiveness, low cost and added safety of non-flammability. Today, there are heavy restrictions on CFCs and chlorinated solvent use due to environmental concerns -- ozone depletion and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

Cleanroom environments require high purity, specific function solvents.

While some chlorinated solvents are still used, the market is about half as large as it was 10 years ago, and decreases in use will continue as CFCs and some chlorinated solvents are controlled under the Montreal Protocol ozone depleting substances (ODS) phase out schedule. In developed countries, that phaseout is complete; in developing countries, the phaseout is in its early stages.

In addition to ozone depletion, a second environmental issue linked to solvent use is VOC emissions. These emissions are linked to smog formation and are subject to regulation, primarily in the U.S. but beginning also in Europe. Hydrocarbons contribute to smog formation as VOC emissions. A third solvent environmental issue is the global warming potential of some products if emitted, primarily HFCs. A final solvent concern relates to flammability. Numerous applications cannot tolerate flammable solvents, eliminating many hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvent options.

Commercially available throughout the world, fluorocarbon solvents are low in toxicity, cost effective, can be used safely and are reusable. They are safer in use than many alcohol-based or hydrocarbon solvents, which are flammable. However, the relative high cost and exclusive high performance characteristics of fluorocarbons ensures their selective use where they provide the greatest overall safety and performance.

HFCs are generally limited to niche solvent applications that require the highest performance level for processing speed, safety, stability, selective solubility and purity. For example, HFCs play a critical role

Electronic chips for most computer applications require HFC solvents.

in the production of information age technology as they provide stability and purity in manufacturing sensitive high performance electronics components. These markets demand reliability and durability and include computer disk drives and chips, automotive engine control modules, aerospace and military electronics. These applications demonstrate that HFCs' molecular stability leaves no residues or contaminants to hinder the performance of these costly and often critical components.

Changes in electronic component production technology have dramatically reduced solvent use. According to Arthur D. Little, "Global Analysis of HFC and Alternative Technologies...", today, HFC solvent use in these niche applications is no more than two percent of comparable CFC use a decade ago.

All solvents have potential environmental impact; therefore, industry gives high priority to emissions control. The industry actively promotes the following general principles for all solvent applications worldwide:

HFCs are used to clean needles after grinding.

Emission levels at lowest economically practical levels; tight systems with frequent monitoring; Recovery, recycling and reclaiming of solvents Handling by well-trained personnel; Management accountability for potential safety, health and environmental impacts; and HFC solvent application use is discouraged where environmental impact is not offset by high societal value.

The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy is a leading industry voice which coordinates industry participation in the development of reasonable international and U.S. government policies regarding ozone protection and global climate change.

The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 850 - Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: (703) 243-0344 - Fax: (703) 243-2874 E-mail: info@arap.org