Augeo Clean Multi Oil - Base for Reed diffusers, Plug-in Air Freshners and Room Sprays

Augeo Clean Multi Oil

Base for Reed diffusers, Plug-in Air Fresheners and Room Sprays

Augeo™ Clean Multi is an eco-solvent with superior performance compared to glycol ethers and acetates which are derived from petrochemical feedstocks and are more aggressive to human health and the environment. Augeo™ Clean Multi has high solvency power allowing it to be used in diverse applications and segments including multi-purpose cleaners and degreasers. It is widely used as a diluent and carrier for fragrance for environmentally friendly reed diffusers and room sprays.

Applications

• Fragrances applications, including reed diffusers, Air fresheners and Plug in/ Electrical Devices
• Fragrance diluent & carrier
• Household Cleaning
• Industrial and Institutional Cleaning
• Polishes
• Automotive
• Personal Care

Advantages

• Non-flammable solvent
• Fragrance enhancement due to low odour
• High solvency
• Environmental friendly product
• Effectively breaks down grease
• Alternative to glycols & glycol ethers
• INCI Registered

How to make your own Reed Diffuser Oil:

• 10% -25% Fragrance oil
• 75% - 90% Augeo

To make diffuser oil, blend the fragrance oil with the Augeo until clear. seal container and allow to stand for 2 to 3 days before using

Product Information

Augeo™ is a registered trademark of Solvay Group

Properties of Augeo Clean Multi:

• EC number:202-888-7

  EC name:2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethanol

  CAS number:100-79-8

• Molecular formula:C6H12O3
• Molecular weight:132.158

• Freezing point: -70 °C
• Boiling point/boiling range: 191 °C ( 1,013.25 hPa)
• Flash point: 91 °C closed cup, 100 °C open cup
• Evaporation rate (Butylacetate = 1): 0.03
• Vapour pressur:0.05 hPa ( 20 °C)
• Vapour density: 2.6
• Relative density: 1.069 ( 20 °C)
• Water solubility : ( 20 °C) completely soluble
• Solubility in other solvents: Alcohol : miscible, Esters : miscible, Ether : miscible, Aromatic hydrocarbons : miscible, petroleum ether. : miscible
  petrol : miscible
  
  

Health & Safety:

Classification (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 )
CAS-No. 100-79-8
2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethanol

Eye irritation, Category 2
H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
Reproductive toxicity, Category 2
H361d: Suspected of damaging the unborn child.

New Classification / Labelling

Regulatory Background

 REACH is a set of chemical regulations that regulate the safety of chemicals within the EU (and via UK-REACH within the UK).  When chemicals are produced in certain quantities a REACH process is automatically triggered which requires various tests to be carried out and data to be submitted to governing bodies.

In 2023 Augeo surpassed a threshold which triggered such a process and so additional testing was carried out by the manufacturer Solvay in order to remain REACH compliant.  One of these tests included a toxicology study on rabbits.  This study turned up some unexpected results, specifically that a high ingested dose of Augeo seemed to cause adverse developmental effects on pregnant rabbits.  This result was unexpected and not in line with previous testing which had been carried out by Solvay.  Therefore they are determined to carry out further confirmation tests to fully confirm these detrimental effects.  These tests are expected to conclude early 2024.

However, in the mean-time, and in line with duties imposed by the CLP Regulations (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals), Solvay have taken the decision to self-classify Augeo in line with the results of the original study.  This means that Augeo will now carry a new hazard warning in addition to the previous warning of eye irritation.  This new warning is:

H361d: Suspected of damaging the unborn child.

As a responsible chemical supplier, we are committed to ensuring transparency and safety within our supply chain.  Therefore we will be following Solvay in labelling our Augeo product according to their new documentation.  Since we have now received product labelled as such, our own documentation will change effective 23/10/2023.

Implications for customers

The new classification will have a number of implications for customers.  We know that most Augeo customers use the product as a base for Reed Diffusers.  We would first like to reiterate that the product remains safe for this application and has not changed in any way from the Augeo you may have previously used.  The reproductive effects seen were caused by oral ingestion of a high dosage of the product.  However in Reed Diffusers the physical hazards are inhalation/vapours which have not been seen to cause any detrimental effects.

The reclassification does however mean that reed diffusers made with Augeo as the base will need to carry the appropriate CLP warnings.  The threshold to trigger the warning is >3% Augeo in a product which is the case for all diffusers.  There is also a new requirement that products sold to the general public should have a tactile warning sticker applied, which may affect those making and selling diffusers.

Safety datasheets for diffusers and other products will need to be updated to reflect the new Augeo classification.

Alternative Options

We understand that, from a commercial perspective, some customers may wish to move away from Augeo at least temporarily to avoid having a reproductive warning on their products. Given how unexpected the original results were, we are somewhat hopeful that Solvay may reverse their classification on further testing.  Confirmation of the classification will hopefully be communicated by start of 2024.

In the meantime, we will continue to sell Augeo as it is a tried and tested product for Reed Diffusers and is generally considered safe for the Reed Diffuser application.

For those looking for alternatives, we would suggest considering the following options which  are also popular diffuser bases:

• DPG (Dipropylene Glycol) - A non-hazardous base which can be used instead of Augeo. It has a slower evaporation profile.
  
• DPM (Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether) - Another non-hazardous base with a slower evaporation rate.
• Reed Diffuser Base - Our own alternative blend for making reed diffusers.  Contains DPG with additional Alcohol to improve evaporation rate.  The addition of alcohol makes this a hazardous base due to potential flammability.

We will continue to update our information and documentation as and when it becomes available.

A Note on Testing

Some customers may be surprised to hear that this change has come as a result of testing on animals.  We do not support or condone the testing of products on animals.  However it is unfortunately the case that manufacturers in the supply chain still have a legal duty to do so under various safety regulations.  Thankfully this is beginning to change as synthetic alternatives become available and are accepted by regulatory bodies.  We fully support the use of synthetic alternatives wherever they can be applied.