Chemical Glossary
Alkyd Resin
Alkyd resins are polyesters modified by the addition of fatty acids. Alkyd (oil-based) paints are durable, provide gloss, have gloss retention, and are fast-drying, but they also contain and emit high levels of chemical vapors, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Paints containing Sefose® would contain and emit lower levels of chemical vapors, making them eco-friendly alternatives to conventional alkyd paints.
Amine
An amine is a chemical compound containing the element nitrogen. Amines are organic compounds that are derived from ammonia. In amines, the hydrogen atoms in the ammonia are replaced one at a time by hydrocarbon groups. Amines fall into different classes dependent upon how many of the hydrogen atoms are replaced.
Biorenewable Materials
Raw materials, or ingredients, that are derived from plants or other natural sources.
Bioscience
The study of living things or organisms, such as plants or agriculture in this context.
Carbon Footprint
The amount of carbon dioxide and other related greenhouse gasses (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere from an organization, manufacturing facility or process. P&G measures and reports on this metric on behalf of all of our
manufacturing sites throughout the world once annually as part of our overall Corporate Sustainability strategy and goals.
Chempol® MPS
A new alkyd resin technology collaboratively developed by P&G and Cook Composites & Polymers Co. (CCP) that enables formulation of paints and coatings with a greener product profile and enhanced performance, which includes:
- Less than ½ the amount of VOCs of traditional alkyd paints and coatings.
- Fast-dry, high-gloss, smooth application and film toughness.
- Increased Renewable Content (RC) in the formulation.
Cleanout
The process of cleaning and removing contaminants from manufacturing lines and associated equipment between the run or flow of differing materials at that particular site or facility.
Deforestation
The practice of removing forestry and other associated vegetation from an area to make way for other use of the land, such as agriculture or commercial development.
Detergent
A washing powder or liquid used to clean and remove stains in garments and other fabrics in the home or in commercial applications, often based on soap and other surfactant chemistry.
Distillation
A method of physically separating liquid raw materials based on their different chemical properties. As an example, water can be distilled to remove impurities.
Effluent
Treated or untreated waste water that flows out of a manufacturing facility or process into surface waters. P&G Chemicals facilities carefully monitor and control all effluent discharge, and through our sustainability efforts, we have implemented efforts to both reduce and reuse this material in other processes and for other needs within our supply chain.
Environmental Footprint
The measure of the impact on an ecosystem or our overall environment from a manufacturing facility, operation or process.
Esterified Sucrose Ester
A compound that results from a chemical reaction that combines sugar with a fatty acid. Sefose is an esterified sucrose ester derived from vegetable oil and sugar.
Fatty Acids
An aliphatic, monocarboxylic acid derived from an animal or vegetable-based fat.
Fatty Alcohols
An aliphatic alcohol derived from a natural fat or oil, which is often derived from a plant or other natural source. These materials have widespread application in cosmetics, foods and industrial solvents.
Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA)
The Malaysian government agency that oversees the use and application of rural land in the country. FELDA is the world’s largest plantation operator and owner, and is a 50:50 joint venture partner with P&G Chemicals in the FPG Oleochemicals operation located in Kuantan, Malaysia.
Feedstock
A raw material or starting ingredient used as a “building block” for an intermediate or finished product. Used to describe a material that is derived from nature, often remaining in an unprocessed or minimally processed
state.
Fermentation
A chemical reaction whereby an enzyme helps convert one chemical substance into another.
FPG Oleochemicals
A 50:50 joint venture project between P&G Chemicals and FELDA, or the Federal Land Development Authority of Malaysia. This operation is based in Kuantan, Malaysia, and manufactures fatty alcohols, methyl esters and glycerin.
Fragrance
A mixture of ingredients used to release scent when used in a consumer product or application. P&G is the world’s largest user of fragrance materials, and is one of the only major consumer product manufacturers having an on-site staff charged with developing and formulating fragrance materials and perfumes.
Glycerine
Glycerine (chemical name 1,2,3-propanetriol), also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a non-toxic, colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, viscous (at room temperature) liquid that is hydrophilic (water loving), hygroscopic and emollient.
Green Manufacturing
A method of product development and manufacturing that is seen to be minimally-invasive for the environment and the associated ecosystem.
High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF)
A term that is designed to describe forest and ecosystem areas that are “set aside” and restricted from commercial development or deforestation, based on its biodiversity or socioeconomic factors.
Life Cycle Assessment
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an industry-developed International Standards Organization (ISO)-complaint process used to determine the environmental impact, or fate, between two or more comparable materials or products. LCA testing results indicated that Sefose-enabled paints showed significant, measurable improvement in all tested environmental factors.
Logistics
The process by which materials and finished products are moved and transported within the supply chain of an organization or company.
Malaysian Oleochemicals Manufacturing Group (MOMG)
Formed in January of 1984 to help support the manufacturers in Peninsular Malaysia responsible for the production of basic oleochemicals, including fatty acids, methyl esters, glycerin, and fatty alcohols.
Methyl Esters
A material formed as a reaction between fats or fatty acids and methanol.
Molecular Tourism
The process of redundant or overlapping transportation of a molecule or raw material throughout its processing life cycle.
Multi-Modal Transportation
The utilization of several different transportation methods within a company’s supply chain (e.g., boat, rail, etc.) to maximize both cost efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Natural Materials
Ingredients or raw materials that are derived or obtained from nature.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
A voluntary association of individuals or organizations for regional or international action against a certain cause or activity. As it relates to sustainability, many environmental NGO organizations are focused on the protection of biodiversity.
Olean®
A sucrose ester material commercialized by P&G in 1996 as a food additive.
Oleochemicals
Chemical materials or intermediates that are derived from plant and animal ingredients.
Palm Kernel Oil (PKO)
An edible plant oil derived from the kernel, or seed, of the oil palm tree.
Palm Oil
An edible plant oil derived from the oil palm tree. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the oil palm fruit, contained and grown in bunches in the tree.
Palm Plantation
A large development and planting of palm oil trees, usually encompassing several hectares of land for this use. Such plantations, many of which are located in either Malaysia or Indonesia, are often found adjacent to harvesting and processing facilities, allowing the company to process the palm fruit into derivatives that can be used in consumer products and foods.
Petrochemical Materials
Petrochemical materials are derived from crude oil, and thus are considered to be “synthetic” materials. P&G’s use of natural, renewable materials provides a sustainable solution versus petrochemical, or petroleum based, alternatives.
Perfume
A mixture of ingredients used to release scent when used in a consumer product or application. P&G is the world’s largest user of fragrance materials, and is one of the only major consumer product manufacturers having an on-site staff charged with developing and formulating fragrance materials and perfumes.
Product Changeover
Process within a manufacturing facility whereby a product line is cleaned and transitioned from the processing of one item to a differing item. This changeover process is important to ensure that the finished product specifications or attributes (e.g., density or color) are maintained between each respective material.
Raw Materials
Ingredients or constituents that are added or mixed together to form or manufacture a finished product.
Reblend
The process of “reusing” or reapplying material in the manufacturing process. This is often pursued when a resulting product meets performance requirements and specifications, but may be “off specification”, such as slight variations in color. This product can then be “reblended” into another manufacturing lot or batch, reducing potential waste from the process.
Renewable Materials
A material is considered to be renewable if it is replaced by nature at the same or faster rate than it is used or consumed by humans.
Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
An organization formed in 2004 to help promote sustainable agriculture and address the environmental impact of palm oil. This organization is compromised of many stakeholders, including government agencies, NGO
groups, plantation owners and growers, and oil traders.
Sefose®
Sefose is a revolutionary product line of sucrose esters developed by P&G. Sefose uses all-natural ingredients in its development and processing, with materials derived from vegetable oil and sugar. This results in a material that is:
- non-persistent
- non-toxic
- 100% biodegradable
It has proven performance and applicability in paints, coatings and lubricants, and provides ecofriendly alternatives to petroleum based products.
Sulfonation
The replacement of a hydrogen atom of an organic compound with a sulfonic acid. This often occurs as a chemical reaction at high temperatures.
Surfactant
An ingredient contained in detergents and other products that provides and enables the cleaning function and capability in the product, such as the removal of stains.
Sustainability
The care and maintenance of valuable resources to ensure their presence and longevity for future generations.
Tertiary Amines
Amines fall into three different classes dependent upon how many of the hydrogen atoms are replaced. In a Tertiary Amine, all of the hydrogen atoms in an ammonia molecule have been replaced by hydrocarbon groups.
Vegetable Oil
An edible or inedible oil that is derived from plant materials.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are any compound that contains carbon and hydrogen, having a vapor pressure that may contribute to atmospheric photochemical reactions. VOCs tend to accumulate and remain in the environment, causing issues such as smog and other emissions. Many VOCs are synthetic chemicals that are used in the manufacturing of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants.