1. what „biobased“ means in technical terms
Bio-based means only one thing: the main active ingredients come from renewable, plant-based or microbial sources instead of fossil raw materials. In the field of cleaning chemicals, this applies to three classes of substances in particular:
- Vegetable oil derivatives (e.g. from rapeseed, sunflower, soya) - main component of modern bio-based release agents
- Vegetable surfactants (e.g. sugar- or amino acid-based) - Active ingredient base for water-based cleaners
- Biosurfactants from microbial fermentation and natural nutrient mixtures - the basis of modern oil binding agents
Important here: „Bio-based“ is not automatically identical to „biodegradable“ and also not with „harmless“. There are bio-based products that are difficult to break down or are irritating. Conversely, there are synthetic products that degrade excellently. Three properties must therefore be tested separately:
| Feature | Specifically means |
|---|---|
| Biobased | Raw materials from renewable sources |
| Biodegradable | Microorganisms can decompose the substance in a reasonable time (OECD 301) |
| Toxicologically safe | No relevant hazardous substance labelling according to CLP |
Ideally, a good product fulfils all three points. This is precisely the design goal of the Antistick ECO range and our water-based cleaners.
2. why the regulatory framework sets the direction
Even if the ecological issue is politically controversial, the direction has been clear at the regulatory level for years:
- CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging): Defines which hazard characteristics a product must bear. Those who can use products without hazard pictograms simplify storage, labelling, instruction and occupational safety considerably.
- REACH RegulationSubstance registration and evaluation. In recent years, has moved several substances to Annex XIV (authorisation requirement) or XVII (restriction) that were previously standard in industrial cleaners.
- ADR: Dangerous goods legislation for transport. A product that does not fall under ADR may be transported in normal delivery vehicles without any special requirements - a significant factor for building yards with their own logistics.
- Water Resources Act and WGKWater hazard classes with direct consequences for storage, sumps and insurance.
- Public procurementThe EU framework for Green Public Procurement (GPP) and the national implementations mean that public clients (local authorities, federal companies, railways, motorways, etc.) can or must give preference to bio-based and low-CLP products if they are comparably suitable.
Anyone who currently operates machinery with hydrocarbon-based release agents does not necessarily have a problem from a regulatory point of view - but they do have a greater administrative burden. Those who switch to bio-based products reduce this effort and at the same time earn bonus points in tenders.
3. what bio-based products can do today
The technical maturity of bio-based cleaning chemicals has improved significantly over the last ten years. Three fields are worth a look:
3.1 Release agents in asphalt construction
Vegetable release agents based on rapeseed oil nowadays achieve the following Release effect, service life and spray behaviour the level of classic hydrocarbon products. The anti-stick ECO range from Green4Clean is proof of this: the standard product ECO 150 is used universally for rollers, screeds, troughs and tools. ECO 170 is a variant for particularly tough applications, while ECO 150 LV is a low-viscosity variant for spraying systems with fine nozzles.
Detailed comparison: Asphalt release agent: rapeseed oil vs. hydrocarbon.
3.2 Water-based cleaners for bitumen, asphalt, oil and grease
Today, water-based cleaners based on plant-based surfactants and solubilisers dissolve bitumen, tar and oil soiling just as well as classic solvent-based cleaners - with significantly lower CLP and ADR requirements and better material compatibility with paint and rubber. Example: Bituclean Extra.
Detailed application contribution: Bitumen cleaning: Proper care of machines, rollers and tools.
3.3 Liquid oil binding agents
With liquid, biosurfactant-based oil binding agents, the leap compared to classic granules is particularly large. Instead of generating a mass of hazardous waste, products such as Anti Slip Eco biological degradation of the bound pollutants - a concept that is clearly superior in many applications, both ecologically and economically.
4. where boundaries must be honestly stated
We see no point in idealising bio-based products. Three points should be on the table in any serious discussion:
4.1 Frost behaviour in storage
Vegetable oil-based products become viscous or slightly cloudy when stored below 0 °C for longer periods. This is reversible: after warming to room temperature and brief stirring, the products are ready for use again. However, storage logistics must take this into account - frost-free, preferably temperature-controlled rooms are advisable.
4.2 Special applications outside the standard
There are special cases (extremely high-viscosity, polymer-modified bitumen, very unusual mixes, specific supplier or machine specifications) in which hydrocarbon-based products remain the first choice for technical or contractual reasons. For these cases, we continue to offer Antistick 140, a proven conventional product.
4.3 Commodity markets and availability
Vegetable oil markets are more volatile than mineral oil markets - they react to the weather, harvests and global demand. We compensate for this through strategic purchasing and long-term supplier relationships, but make it clear that bio-based products are also subject to economic fluctuations.
5. efficiency - the calculation that really counts
In terms of unit price per litre, bio-based release agents and cleaners are often slightly more expensive than their conventional counterparts. However, anyone who stops there is wrong in most cases. A serious total cost of ownership analysis includes the following items:
5.1 Direct product costs
- Unit price per litre
- Consumption per application (bio-based products can often be dosed more sparingly)
- Available container sizes, economies of scale if applicable
5.2 Storage and logistics costs
- Requirements for storage subject to CLP (sumps, fire protection, separation)
- Signposting and instruction obligations
- Dangerous goods requirements for transport (ADR licence, special packaging, accompanying documents)
5.3 Labour protection costs
- Personal protective equipment
- Risk assessment and instruction
- Substitution testing obligation for products subject to mandatory labelling
5.4 Follow-up costs for incidents
- Removal of spillages (residues containing mineral oil vs. biodegradable residues)
- Insurance and liability issues in the event of entry into soil or water
- Reputational damage in the event of incidents on public transport areas
5.5 Market impact
- Evaluation points in public tenders
- Arguments in favour of private clients with their own sustainability goals
- External impact in building yard branding
5.6 Example calculation of release agent (simplified)
A medium-sized asphalt paver with two rollers and one paver consumes around 2,000 litres of release agent over a season.
| Position | Hydrocarbon release agent | Rapeseed oil release agent |
|---|---|---|
| Material costs 2,000 litres (example) | Base | + approx. 5-15 % |
| Hazardous materials storage (expenditure per year) | noticeable | practically not applicable |
| ADR transport (special freight) | given | Not applicable |
| Skin protection material / instruction | increased | reduced |
| Substitution testing (TRGS, risk assessment) | Compulsory | greatly simplified |
| Removal of small spillages | elaborate | uncomplicated |
| Evaluation in tenders | Neutral | positive |
The exact figures vary depending on the company. Our experience from substitution projects: In most cases, the economic balance is in favour of the bio-based product - often significantly so. We will be happy to help you realistically calculate this for your business.
6. how a substitution realistically takes place
Switching to bio-based cleaning chemicals is not a big bang project. In practice, a four-stage approach has proven its worth:
Stage 1 - Inventory (1-2 weeks)
- Which cleaning and release agents are in use?
- Where are they used, with which systems, in what quantities?
- What hazardous substance labelling do they carry? What storage and logistics costs are involved?
Stage 2 - Pilot test (1 seasonal week per application)
- The bio-based product is used in parallel with the previous product on a defined construction site or with a defined machine set.
- Consumption, spray pattern, subsequent cleaning effort and machine behaviour are documented.
- We supply free test samples (10 or 20 litres).
Stage 3 - Evaluation and ramp-up (4-8 weeks)
- Evaluation of the pilot, profitability calculation, adaptation of storage, spraying and protection logistics.
- Gradual conversion of the entire operation, existing stocks of conventional products are used up.
Stage 4 - Consolidation (ongoing)
- Update warehouse and occupational safety documentation.
- Inclusion of the products in the standard order lists.
- External communication: Information to customers and clients, inclusion in sustainability report or tender dossiers.