Bioniqs, the solvent technology specialist, is introducing a green solvent certification known as econiqs in response to the widespread confusion over what constitutes a “green” solvent. Bioniqs is responding to the level of “greenwashing” concerning the purported environmental benefits of many novel solvents, including ionic liquids, by launching what it hopes will become a green solvent standard.”We are proud to take the lead in this area by introducing to market our benchmark econiqs certification for green solvents” says CEO Dr. Adam Walker. “As a company, Bioniqs is committed to assisting the chemical community in developing increasingly sustainable, safe and ecologically efficient working practices”. To achieve this Bioniqs works with their customers to develop solvents which they claim are optimized for their technical, economic and environmental performance.

To qualify as a green solvent under the econiqs certification a solvent must satisfy stringent environmentally relevant criteria including biodegradability within 14 days, low-toxicity to Daphnia magna and green algae, and sustainability.

This green solvent certification has been launched in Bioniqs’ 2009 Solvent Catalogue which features over 200 protic ionic liquid solvents, which are being assessed against the econiqs criteria during 2009. In conclusion Dr. Walker adds that “whilst this isn’t intended as a substitute for a fully detailed harmonized specification; it is designed to assure our customers of the basic environmental and toxicological performance of products carrying the econiqs branding”.

For more see the Bioniqs website.