Solvents – more than just hazardous waste
Solvents are something we all come into contact with, even if we don’t always realise it. They’re found in everything from paint and glue to cleaning products and medicines. They help dissolve, mix, and clean various substances – in short, they make it possible to manufacture and use many of the products we rely on.
26 Aug 2025But there’s a downside. Many solvents are made from fossil-based raw materials and contain chemicals that can be harmful to both the environment and human health if not handled properly. What’s more, they’re often used just once before being incinerated. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
What’s the problem?
Once used, solvents are often classified as hazardous waste. They may contain contaminants and chemicals that pose risks to people and the environment. Many solvents are also volatile, meaning they evaporate easily and can release harmful gases into the air.
Historically, most used solvents have been sent for incineration, where they’re converted into energy. While energy recovery can be a useful solution, it’s also a waste of resources. Producing new solvents from fossil raw materials requires a lot of energy, and incineration releases carbon dioxide and other harmful substances.
Recycling – A sustainable solution
Fortunately, there’s a better alternative – recycling. By purifying and recycling solvents, we can reduce environmental impact and the need to produce new chemicals. Climate analysis with a life cycle perspective comparing the recycled solvents with a market-weighted average of the products they replace indicate massive potential reductions of carbon emissions. For acetone, the recycled product carries 81% lower emissions, while the reduction for ethanol and propylene glycol is 74% and 63%, respectively.
How does it work?
Ragn-Sells and Vilokan jointly operate the Solvent Recycling Solutions (SRS) facility at Högbytorp, Sweden, recovering high-quality industrial solvents from waste and returning them to the market as circular, low-carbon alternatives. The SRS facility focuses on the recovery of three common solvents: Acetone, industrial ethanol, and propylene glycol.
Solvent recycling involves separating contaminants and unwanted substances from the usable liquid. Through distillation and purification, solvents can regain their original quality and be reused again and again.
- Collection – Used solvents are collected from industries and businesses.
- Purification and distillation – By heating the liquid, impurities are separated from the usable solvent.
- Quality control – The purified solvent is tested to ensure it meets the same high standards as newly produced products.
The SRS facility har a capacity of over 20,000 tonnes of solvent per year. This will allow us to continue our work to reduce climate emissions, conserve the planet’s resources, and create an even more circular future.
A qualified Climate Solution
Solvent Recycling Solutions has been qualified as a “Climate Solution” thanks to reducing CO2e emissions by up to 81% compared to a market average alternative. Read more about under the Exponential Roadmap Initiative’s (ERI) Climate Solutions Framework
Photo: SRS - Ragn-Sells' and Vilokan's facility for recycling of solvents at Högbytorp.
