York Launches Green Solvent Service

Scientists at the Sustainable Solvent Selection Service (S4), based in the University York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE), have launched a service to produce safe, renewable alternatives to traditional solvents. Offering a bespoke Industrial Engagement Facility for business to business and business to academic discussions, solvent design and product testing, S4 will seek to establish new commercial supply chains with key partners, including solvent users, manufacturers and expert groups.

S4’s alternative solvent Cyrene - produced from forestry by-products including sawdust and created in partnership with the UK branch of Circa Group -is biodegradable and less toxic than conventional solvents due to its unique chemical structure.

Circa Group has a long-standing partnership with the GCCE. Recently awarded an ERDF Capital Grants Scheme issued by the Biorenewables Development Centre, a new computer installed with the latest solvent modelling software (COSMO-RS) has been purchased by Circa Group for the generation of a family of new, green solvent candidates.

Professor James Clark, Director of the GCCE, said: "S4 is providing the means to address the serious safety, health and environmental problems with solvents - common industrial pollutants - with commercially relevant research and product development. We are delighted to announce our new capabilities in solvent design, including our partnership with Circa, and we hope this will lead to more examples of greener, sustainable solvents in the near future and will strengthen our position as a leader in alternative solvent research."