P2 Recognition Project -- Success Stories

2007 Awardees

The P2 Recognition Project honors companies for developing innovative chemistry and technologies that further pollution prevention and other environmental goals. EPA believes that by recognizing these companies it gives them and other companies engaged in similar work a positive incentive to create new, safer chemicals and technologies.

EPA's New Chemicals Program, which screens up to 2500 chemicals a year, identifies the chemicals proposed for P2 Recognition Project awards through the Premanufacture Notice (PMN) P2 screening process, as described in the PMN Instruction Manual (PDF) (51 pp, 721K, About PDF), as well as during more detailed new chemical reviews. The New Chemicals Program also includes the Biotechnology Program, which reviews new (i.e., intergeneric) microorganisms. The P2 Recognition Project relies heavily on information contained in the PMN on P2 aspects of the new chemicals or biotech product, although supplemental information has also been considered.

Criteria for P2 Recognition

In selecting products to recognize under the program, EPA looks for safer substitutes for existing products, chemicals/biotechnology products that are less toxic (as demonstrated by test data on the new product itself) and/or products that have fewer associated toxic chemicals, e.g., feedstocks, byproducts, impurities, etc. EPA also looks for products that result in pollution prevention and source reduction or recycling processes that reduce exposures or releases. The Agency looks for environmentally beneficial uses of products, and products that conserve energy and water during their manufacture, processing or use. Finally, the Agency seeks to recognize real commercial successes; thus, we require that the company commence manufacture of the PMN substance in order to receive the award.

2007 P2 Recognition Project Awardees -- Select a company's name to access its recognition letter

BASF Corp.

Micronal® PCM (phase change materials), developed by BASF, reduce energy needs for cooling and heating buildings. These innovative materials -- available in both powder and liquid form -- are inserted into building construction materials typically during manufacturing. Micronal® PCM materials are microscopic polymer capsules containing pure wax at their core. These low-weight and low-volume materials have proven their effectiveness by providing a high thermal storage capacity to building construction materials such as wall plasters, wall paints, gypsum plasterboard, and concrete blocks. For example, in summer months when room temperatures typically rise, wax inside the mircocapsules melts, absorbing excess heat from the air. This reduces the need for mechanical temperature control, e.g., running an air-conditioning system, and also reduces carbon dioxide emissions from the energy consumed to regulate building temperatures.

Chisso America, Inc.

Chisso's epsilon polylysine product is a biodegradable and very safe compound used as an additive in cleaning solutions for electric shaving razors. The use of epsilon polylysine is an alternative to conventional cleaning solutions that contain surfactants and detergents in an alcoholic solution. Using epsilon polylysine in electric razor cleaning solutions eliminates the environmental burden introduced by alcohol-based cleaning solutions because consumers typically rinse the used solution down their sinks. In fact, epsilon polylysine earned "Generally Recognized as Safe or GRAS" recognition from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as a food preservative. Another compelling finding about epsilon polylysine's safety is toxicological studies have verified that it is safe even if accidentally consumed.

Clariant Corp.

The new Clariant Corp. product called "Cartaspers PSM" provides an effective alternative to the use of volatile solvents, such as mineral spirits, for the production of tissue and other paper products. Cartaspers PSM is used to clean paper-making machines and is noted for its use as an alternative for the control of "stickies" -- a term used to describe a frequent operational problem when using post-consumer waste for the production of paper products. This new substance reduces: a) worker exposure to volatile solvents; b) the potential for air emissions of volatile organic compounds; and c) the demand on water and energy resources by improving paper machine operational efficiency.

Previous awardees