Dow Global Technologies obtains patent for food-grade lubricants

Dow Global Technologies LLC in Midland, Michigan, U.S.A., has been issued patent number 8309500 on November 13, 2012, according to a report from VerticalNews.
The invention relates to polyalkylene glycol-based anhydrous food-grade lubricant compositions, for hydraulic oils, gear oils and compressor oils for equipment used in the food processing and packaging industry. Food-grade lubricants are considered to be “indirect food additives” that are used in the processing and packaging of food in facilities where the lubricant may accidentally get in contact with the food that is being processed.
Base fluids and functional additives that comprise specially blended compositions used to be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, lubricant manufacturers and food and beverage processors are now responsible for the use of lubricants that are generally recognized as safe for use in equipment used for producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, transporting or holding food.
Today, new non-aqueous food-grade lubricant compositions have been discovered that overcome the disadvantages of the previous generations. These new non-aqueous food grade lubricant compositions are highly biodegradable, have low toxicity and are water soluble, and can be used in any application requiring a water-soluble machine lubricant. (November 30, 2012)