What Is MEK Used For

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What is MEK used for and is it the right chemical for your needs? MEK is an extremely versatile chemical that is used in anything and everything including cleaning, degreasing, oil extraction, indirect food additives, lacquers, varnishes, inks, thinning agents, and so much more. Industries from furniture production to aerospace engineering all use MEK for its various abilities from simple cleaning properties to important additive ingredient functions. If you are wondering if MEK can be used in your industry, and if it is the best option for you, Ecolink can help you understand MEK and decide if it is the right chemical solvent for your needs. 

What Is MEK Used For Most Commonly:

  • Oil Extraction – MEK is used in the extraction process of fats, oils, and resins. MEK is a popular solvent for this use due to its evaporation rate, and ability to extract larger amounts of oil than other solvents that evaporate at different rates.
  • Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing – MEK is a very potent solvent that has the ability to easily cut through hardened resins, grease, and other build up that can gum up industrial machinery. Cleaning machinery with MEK after use, effectively removes debris and build up that can cause costly damage to machinery.
  • Ink Production – MEK is used as an additive in the production of inks used for printing processes, dry erase markers, and more. 
  • Paint Thinner – MEK is also used in various paint thinners and stripping agents used in building or refurbishing furniture. 
  • Food Additive – MEK is even an FDA approved, indirect food additive. MEK is cleared to be used as an indirect additive ingredient for adhesives and polymers used with food products. 

Want More Info On MEK Uses?

If you want to learn more about what MEK is used for, or need help deciding if it is the right chemical for your needs, contact Ecolink here. Ecolink is a trusted provider of chemicals and solvents who provides high quality chemical products for a competitive price. Contact Ecolink today to learn more!

Has MEK Been Banned?

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MEK is a popular chemical solvent used across several industries including ink, varnishes, and paint, but has MEK been banned? The answer is no. MEK, while it can be hazardous when not used properly, is not considered to present a considerable enough threat to the user or the environment for the EPA to ban the use of this chemical. In fact, MEK is even approved by the FDA for indirect food processes, such as use as an additive for adhesives and polymers. MEK is a versatile chemical that is used for cleaning, degreasing, paint thinning, and in the production of inks, lacquers, and more. So, has MEK been banned? Absolutely not! And if you are in need of MEK for your industrial practice or product production, Ecolink can help. 

Benefits of MEK from Ecolink:

  • High Quality – Ecolink proudly supplies high purity, safe, quality chemicals and solvents. In addition to providing quality products, Ecolink also strives to provide these chemicals in an environmentally conscious manner, while also offering green chemical alternatives to help reduce carbon footprints.
  • Bulk Quantity – Ecolink offers bulk quantities of all of their chemical solvents. From 5 gallon buckets to 55 gallon drums, Ecolink has you covered.
  • Affordability – In addition to quality, and quantity, Ecolink also offers their products at a competitive price. And the availability of ordering in bulk quantities, allows for the added benefit of bulk pricing. When you shop chemical products like MEK with Ecolink, you can rest assured that you are receiving a high quality product for a fair price. 

Want to learn more about MEK?

If you are interested in learning about MEK, or other chemical uses and restrictions, contact Ecolink here! Ecolink and their knowledgeable team can help you find and understand the best chemicals for your particular needs. For everything from chemical supply, use instruction, safety information, proper storage, and chemical recycling, Ecolink is here to help!

Where To Shop Surfactants Online

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Surfactants are widely used in the production of cleaning products for their ability to lower surface tension, but can you shop surfactants online? The answer is yes, Ecolink not only makes it easy to shop surfactants online, but you can rest easy knowing you are receiving a high quality product for a competitive price. Surfactants are used to lower the surface tension of water, making the molecules of water less likely to stick together. In turn, this makes it easier for the molecules to interact with grease, oil, and other contaminants, resulting in more effective cleaning agents. If you are in need of surfactants in bulk quantities, Ecolink can help. 

Benefits of Shopping Surfactants Online with Ecolink:

  • Expert Knowledge – Ecolink is a long time, trusted provider of chemicals, solvents, and compounds that will work with you to help you understand what the best solvents for your needs are. Ecolink’s knowledgeable team will not only help you decide on the perfect chemical, but also make sure you understand any important safety, storage, or disposal information for proper use.
  • Bulk Availability – Ecolink provides bulk quantities ranging from 5 gallon buckets to 55 gallon drums to best accommodate your needs.
  • High Quality – Ecolink not only provides high purity, stable chemical and solvents, but strives to provide these products in environmentally conscious methods. Ecolink also offers several eco-friendly or green chemical alternatives, in addition to chemical recycling information.
  • User Friendly Online Shopping – With Ecolink you can easily shop surfactants online, in addition to their full catalog of chemicals and solvents, from the comfort of your home or work space.

Need To Find An Online Surfactant Supplier?

If you are looking to shop surfactants online, visit Ecolink’s online shop here. To learn more about Ecolink and get help finding the best chemicals for your needs connect with a member of our team here!

Difference Between MEK and MPK

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It is important to understand the difference between MEK and MPK as they are often used in similar practices. However, there are some key differences between MEK and MPK which will influence which chemical is best for your specific uses. Both MEK and MPK are used in various cleaning and degreasing applications, but due to certain properties such as evaporation rate, chemical strength, and price one can be better than the other. If you are in need of a chemical solvent for industrial cleaning and degreasing, oil extraction, or stripping surfaces, understanding these three key properties is important. If you are looking for a versatile solvent that is strong, affordable, and has a fast evaporation rate, MEK might be right for you.

Key Differences between MEK and MPK

  • Strength – MEK is typically considered to be a stronger solvent than MPK. This makes MEK the better option for cleaning and degreasing industrial equipment and machinery as it can cut through build up and hardened resins faster and easier than MPK.  
  • Evaporation Rate – MEK has a higher evaporation rate than MPK. This further demonstrates that MEK is a stronger, less diluted chemical solvent. This quality makes MEK more desirable for various applications as it will dry faster, reducing the risk of damaging various surfaces due to prolonged exposure. This property also makes MEK a preferred solvent for various ink and printing products, as well as extraction processes.
  • Affordability – One important thing to consider when deciding between MEK and MPK is price. MEK is typically more affordable than MPK, and it is a more potent chemical, meaning a little bit can go a longer way. This makes MEK more cost effective than MPK in the long run. 

Want to learn more about MEK vs MPK?

If you are interested in learning more about the difference between MEK and MPK, or want to find bulk MEK for your business, contact Ecolink here. Ecolink is a trusted chemical supplier who will work with you to find the best chemicals for your needs for an affordable price. Contact us today to learn more.  

Is USP The Same As Pharmaceutical Grade

Is USP The Same As Pharmaceutical Grade?

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If you are looking into different chemicals and solvents for the production of hand sanitizer, or other personal care products, you may be wondering, is USP the same as pharmaceutical grade? USP is the abbreviation for the US Pharmacopeia, who sets forth the various substance protocols and standards that chemicals must adhere to prove their potency and purity, and be classified into the high purity “pharmaceutical grade” class. Since the US Pharmacopeia sets the standard for the pharmaceutical grade chemical calls, to call a chemical like glycerine or alcohol USP means it is in fact pharmaceutical grade. These terms have come to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as many manufactures are beginning to produce hand sanitizer that adheres to the FDA formula that calls for USP or Pharmaceutical grade IPA and Glycerine 99.7%.

What are USP/Pharmaceutical grade chemicals used for?

  • Hand Sanitizer – The FDA has included glycerine 99.7% USP as a required ingredient for liquid hand sanitizers, due to its hypoallergenic and nonirritating properties, making this formula safer and more widely useable to more consumers.
  • Personal Care Products – Many personal care products such as acne treatments, mouth wash, toothpaste, lotions, and more contain pharmaceutical-grade solvents and chemicals as the active ingredient. It is very important that these personal care products contain the highest purity solvents to ensure quality and safety for users.
  • Pharmaceuticals – Pharmaceutical grade IPA is widely used in the manufacturing and production of various pharmaceuticals as a solvent ingredient.
  • Cosmetics – Pharmaceutical grade alcohol is also used as a solvent in various cosmetic products like pressed powders.

Is USP the same as pharmaceutical grade, and where can this grade be purchased?

In short, USP is the same as pharmaceutical grade. If you are looking for pharmaceutical grade chemicals and solvents in bulk for the production of hand sanitizer, or other personal care products Ecolink can help. Ecolink is a trusted, environmentally-friendly bulk supplier of high purity chemicals. Our customer care team will work with you to help you find the best products for your needs, at an affordable price. Contact us today to learn more.