How are synthetic fluids defined? What are the benefits? And how do Midwest’s products differ from others claiming to be synthetic? We have the answers.
Midwest Industrial Supply, Inc. uses synthetic fluids to provide environmentally-friendly dust control solutions. However, with other companies attempting to emulate our approach, we want to explain in full the technology behind our products, as well as some of the key differences between Midwest solutions and the rest.
The Benefits of Synthetic Fluids Are Clear
The performance of dust control products heavily depends on those products’ molecular structure—regardless of whether they are unpaved, gravel roadways mine haul roads, gravel runways, or drilling pads. The EPA defines a “synthetic material” as a substance produced by the reaction of a specific, purified chemical feedstock, as opposed to traditional base fluids—such as mineral and base oils—that are derived from crude oil solely through physical separation processes. “Synthetic fluid” is synthesized by the reaction of purified compounds and must meet strict environmental testing requirements.
Midwest utilizes the most advanced technology in order to manufacture a synthetic, fluid-based product. These provide greater environmental benefits and dust suppression efficiency than conventional base oils. The molecular chemistry of synthetic fluids remains unchanged when deposited onto a road, coating soil and aggregate particles. Because synthetic fluids maintain greater stability than base oils, they easily withstand rain, freeze-thaw, and other weather extremes.
Why Midwest Offers the Only True Synthetic Dust Suppressants
Given dust’s potential impact on human and animal health, water systems, food sources, and other plant life, Midwest aims to lead the way on research for new dust mitigation technology.
The result of our hard work is Synthetic Organic Dust Control®, a game-changing manufacturing process used to create synthetic fluids that are more environmentally sound and, therefore, subject to fewer cumbersome regulations than oil-based dust control products.
Our competitors are attempting to duplicate this technology, but they still rely on base oils and simply justify them as synonymous with synthetic fluids. They make these dubious claims without full compliance with United States EPA’s definition of “synthetic.”
The EPA-established ”synthetic” classification is based on product testing for sediment toxicity, biodegradability, PAH content, aquatic toxicity, and oil sheen. As stated earlier, environmental requirements fully define Synthetic Organic Dust Control as a synthetic fluid.
To combat the success of Midwest’s environmentally friendly, high-quality product, the producers of these knockoffs have started to make claims about their own “synthetic fluids.” Our analysis of these products indicates that they fail to provide the same chemistry and molecular structure as Synthetic Organic Dust Control.
The True Impact of Midwest’s Synthetic Products
Borne out of patented Synthetic Organic Dust Control, Midwest’s EnviroKleen® and EK35® provide true synthetic solutions.
EnviroKleen was the first Synthetic Organic Dust Control product put on the market. Highly unique to the industry, this product uses a synthetic fluid and a synthetic polymer binder system that captures fine particles and keeps them locked into the surface, preventing fugitive dust from escaping.
EK35 is also a superior choice for industrial, construction, and municipal applications. It quickly penetrates dust and remains actively effective on clay, sand, gravel, limestone, and most native soils regardless of the weather or the severity of road traffic.
The binder system interlocks and durably binds surface aggregate and fines together through both cohesive and adhesive mechanisms. Fines are captured as they are generated, and therefore prevented from escaping as dust.
EK35 is a cost-effective measure for keeping PM10 and PM2.5 from open fugitive dust sources, and—unlike other available products—will not track onto public roadways or stick to vehicles. Furthermore, EK35 provides longer-lasting performance and requires fewer applications than other dust control and surface-stabilization methods, regardless of the season.
To learn more about synthetic fluids, read our paper on the subject here. And for more information about our high-tech solutions for dust control and other infrastructure issues, see our products and services.
