Elevance Concert™ GC-350 Grease Processing Aid Launched to Meet Demand for Improved Performance and Sustainability

Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. Selects Acme-Hardesty as North American distribution partner

Woodridge, Ill./Blue Bell, Pa., USA (June 12, 2014) – Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc., today announced the commercial availability ofElevance Concert™ GC-350, a grease processing aid that will be distributed in North America by Acme-Hardesty, Co., one of the largest distributors of renewable products into lubricants and greases.

“Elevance Concert™ GC-350 is the newest addition to a growing portfolio of renewable, high-performance ingredient solutions for the lubricant and other industries,” said Robin Weitkamp, Senior Vice President, Lubricants and Additives, Elevance. “We look forward to working with Acme-Hardesty, a partner who is committed to finding innovative ways to distribute this product to North American grease manufacturers to address industry and consumer demand for improved performance and sustainability.”

Elevance Concert™ GC-350 addresses the time-intensive process involved in complex lithium grease manufacturing by enabling manufacturers of complex greases to:

• Reduce total process time per batch by 25-35 percent;
• Add capacity to grease manufacturing plant without investing capital;
• Realize energy and labor savings;
• Realize potential for enhanced operability in many finished grease formulations;
• Increase renewable content in formula; and
• Improve the solubility of the soap thickener while maintaining current grease yields per batch.

Typical complex grease thickening systems consist of lithium salts of short to mid-chain diacids and 12-HSA. When Elevance Concert™ GC-350 is added, lithium salts of long-chain C-18+ dibasic materials are incorporated into the thickener, which improves processability at lower temperatures. Other features of the grease processing aid include:

• Low treat rate 0.5-2.0%
• Blends easily into existing formulas due to low melt point
• Easy to handle pastilles
• Contains a long chain dibasic ester

This grease processing aid is made possible due to Elevance’s Inherent™ technology, which enables novel grease architectures that result in improved performance.

“Acme-Hardesty has been supplying renewable, bio-based chemicals for more than 70 years, and was built upon a history of innovation and growth,” said Bryan Huston, Acme-Hardesty’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We’re pleased to be distributing Elevance’s newest high-performance ingredient solution for the grease market, and to be working with Elevance, a company that shares our commitment to advancing the sustainability of its products.”

Acme-Hardesty is responsible for distributing Elevance Concert™ GC-350 in North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico). Potential customers outside of North America who are interested in more information or samples should contact Elevance at [email protected] or Robin Weitkamp at +1-630-633-6511.

About Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.

Headquartered in Woodridge, Ill., Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. is a high-growth specialty chemicals company that creates novel specialty chemicals that perform better from renewable feedstocks, making the products that industry and consumers use every day better. Using a proprietary technology called olefin metathesis, the company helps industry deliver products that exceed the performance of existing products while leaving a smaller environmental footprint — for use in personal care products, detergents and cleaners, engineered polymers, lubricants and additives, and other specialty chemicals markets. To learn more, visit www.elevance.com or www.renewicals.com.

About Acme-Hardesty Co.

Headquartered in Blue Bell, Pa., and a division of Jacob Stern & Sons, Acme-Hardesty, Co., is one of the largest distributors of castor oils and derivatives, preservatives and RSPO-certified palm products. Handling a full range of bio-based glycerine, fatty acids and fatty alcohols, Acme-Hardesty maintains inventory from coast-to-coast in the U.S. The company has been supplying renewable, bio-based chemicals for more than 70 years and was built upon a history of innovation and growth. Many of its customers embrace a strong commitment to protecting the environment and are focused on advancing the sustainability of their products. Acme-Hardesty partners with manufacturers who implement the latest technologies, minimize their carbon footprint and use feedstocks that do not deplete limited resources. To learn more, visit www.acme-hardesty.com.