Methyl Soyate - Soy New Uses

MethylSoyate:The natural solution for safer solvents.

Methyl soyate is theproduct of soybeanfarmer initiative.Every farmer in the country contributesto the soybean checkoff at the rate of0.5 percent of the market price perbushel sold. These funds are investedin programs that can add value andincrease demand for U.S. soybeans.Methyl soyate was developedbecause of soybean checkoff-fundedefforts – and the foresight of U.S.soybean farmers.United SoybeanBoard. Farmersinvesting inthe future.Consisting of 62 farmer-directors, theUnited Soybean Board (USB) overseescheckoff funds that are invested innational programs, includingInternational Marketing, DomesticMarketing, New Uses, Production andCommunications. The widespreadefforts of USB’s New Uses Committeehave resulted in the development andcommercialization of methyl soyate.

The manufacturing of methyl soyate.As companies strive to improvesafety for their employees andmeet regulatory requirements,interest in biobased productsthat can replace petroleumbasedchemicals is growing. Oneof these renewable solutions ismethyl soyate – a petrochemicalreplacement derived fromsoybean oil.Methyl soyate, or soy methylester, is produced by transesterificationof soybean oil andmethanol with a sodiumhydroxide catalyst.Methyl Soyate ProcessC 3 H 5 (O 2 CR) 3 + 3MeOH Cat. 3MeO 2 CR + C 3 H 5 (OH) 3Triglyceride Methanol Methyl Soyate Glycerine(soy oil)Physical Properties of Methyl SoyateTest Value ReferenceKauri-butanol number 58 ASTM D 1133Volatile organic compounds 100 C ASTM D 93Specific gravity 0.88 ASTM D 1475Density 7.3 lb./gal. ASTM D 1298Vapor pressure

Low VOCs. High flashpoint. Excellent solvency.Methyl soyate makessense in so many ways.Produced from a renewable, biobased feedstock,methyl soyate offers numerous advantages overtraditional solvents.Safety advantages.Methyl soyate provides a safer alternative to chlorinated,petroleum and oxygenated solvents. It offers very lowflammability, a very high flash point (greater than 360degrees F), low VOC levels ( 5,000 mg/kg• Acute dermal: LD 50 > 5,000 mg/kg• Skin irritation: 1.6 (nonirritating)• Eye irritation: Nonirritating• Skin sensitization: Moderate potential• Mutagenicity: None (Ames assay)Environmentaladvantages.Made from soybean oil,methyl soyate offers manyenvironmental and regulatorybenefits. It is a non-ozonedepletingchemical (ODC),is non-SARA reportable, isreadily biodegradable andoffers potential for reducedwaste-disposal costs.Methyl Soyate VOC AnalysisTest Value ReferenceVOC minus waterSample Volatile % Density (lb./gal.) Water % g/l lb./gal.1 3.08 7.33 1.08 18 0.22 3.58 7.38 0.73 25 0.23 6.35 7.35 1.04 47 0.44 5.12 7.31 0.00 45 0.4Test was conducted using procedures outlined in ASTM D 3960. Samples were used from fourseparate methyl soyate manufacturers.

Performanceadvantages.Because of its versatility,methyl soyate can be usedto formulate many typesof products. It provideseffective solvency with akauri-butanol (KB) value of58 and is compatible withother organic solvents.Typically, methyl soyate isformulated with co-solventsor surfactants to optimizeproduct performancecharacteristics such asdrying rate and watersolubility.400350300250200150Methyl Soyate Physical Properties100Methyl soyate can beused to replace:• Mineral spirits• Trichloroethylene• Methylene chloride• Toluene• N-methyl-pyrrolidone(NMP)500Methyl Soyate Mineral Spirits Toluene Naphtha D-Limonene% VOCs Flash Point-°F KB ValueMethyl soyate meetsenvironmental regulations.• Clean Air Act (CAA; 1970, 1977, 1990): Methyl soyateis low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and isnot classified as an ozone-depleting chemical orhazardous air pollutant (HAP), which means it passesCAA standards.• Clean Water Act (1972, 1977): Methyl soyate has lowaquatic toxicity and is readily biodegradable.• Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA; 1976): Methylsoyate is listed in the TSCA inventory.

Market applications formethyl soyate.Methyl soyate can be utilized in a number ofdifferent formulated products as a safe solventreplacement. Its excellent solvent properties makeit adaptable to a wide range of performancerequirements.• Parts cleaning and degreasing.Methyl soyate can replace petroleum andchlorinated solvents, such as mineral spiritsand trichloroethylene, in basic parts cleaningprocesses. Other uses include householdcleaners, food-processing equipment cleaningand asphalt cleaners.• Paint, ink and adhesive removal. Applicationsinclude commercial and military paint strippersreplacing methylene chloride, printing inkcleaners replacing toluene, adhesive removersreplacing acetone and graffiti removers replacingmineral spirits.• Petroleum product cleanup. Methyl soyatecan be used for effective cleaning of oil spills onbeaches and inland waters, as well as cleaningrefinery reactors, storage tanks and processingequipment.• Carrier solvent. This developing use for methylsoyate involves paints, wood and concrete stainsand corrosion protection products.• Consumer products. The safe properties ofmethyl soyate make it ideal for use in handcleaners, skin lotions, shampoos and otherpersonal care products.• Fuels and lubricants. Uses for methyl soyateinclude lubricity additives, penetrating oils,metalworking fluids and form release agents forasphalt, concrete and metal fabrication. The largestuse, however, is as the fuel base for biodiesel, whichsignificantly reduces combustion emissionscompared with petroleum diesel.

To learn more, contact the United Soybean Board.www.unitedsoybean.org/newusesnewuses@unitedsoybean.org

To learn more about the advantages of methyl soyate,contact the United Soybean Board.www.unitedsoybean.org/newusesnewuses@unitedsoybean.org20682 pt 4/04