TBF Environmental Technology Inc., a  leader in the development of green industrial solvents, announced  that the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) of California has approved and certified TBF Environment Technology Inc.’s leading solvent ZemaSol as being Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-exempt and containing no hazardous air pollutants or ozone depleting materials, and does not contribute to global warming.

Traditional common industrial solvents release “Volatile Organic Compounds” (VOCs), which can seriously damage an individual’s long-term health. .

“SCAQMD certification is a landmark milestone for TBF,” said David W. Rowat, CEO of TBF.  “ZemaSol is the first industrial solvent approved in more than 20 years that does not violate any workplace or environmental regulations in North America.  ZemaSol is designed to replace toxic solvents such as Xylene, Toluene, Tertiary Butyl Acetate (TBAc) and Parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF/Oxsol 100).”

The ruling by SCAQMD allows ZemaSol to be sold throughout the U.S. because it meets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and SCAQMD requirements as a VOC-exempt solvent.

TBF’s alternative solvents work effectively across a range of applications and are designed to be safe for people and the environment.

ZemaSol’s approval by SCAQMD also solves an ongoing problem that formulators of paints, coatings, inks and adhesives have been struggling with for many years.  Using ZemaSol in a formula does not count against in the calculation of the overall VOC of the product. This allows formulators greater latitude in designing new product that meets increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

“The solvent industry has been waiting a long time for an effective, VOC-exempt solvent,” said Mark Riemann, VP Sales of Palmer Holland, Inc., TBF’s US distributor in the Eastern, Southern and Midwestern regions. “We expect to achieve a rapid growth among users of industrial solvents because users won’t have to sacrifice effectiveness or cost to meet environmental regulations,” he continued.

“ZemaSol opens new markets in the industrial coatings, inks, composites, and colorants sectors and in a variety manufacturing processes,” said Ryan Yokayama, VP – Director of Sales, Dorsett & Jackson, TBF’s distributor on the U.S. West Coast.  “It offers customers an alternative VOC-exempt solvent to PCBTF and TBAc which is particularly important in Southern California and the West Coast markets,” he continued.