Houston's SOLTEX wins Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award

Houston’s Synthetic Oil and Lubricants of Texas (SOLTEX) was one of six honorees at the 20th Annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Monday, according to a release from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Every year, companies design and develop innovative green chemistry technologies that will result in safer chemical use in the places where we work and live,” EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry said. “The process created by SOLTEX can prevent 50 percent of hazardous waste a year and significantly lower operating cost.”

SOLTEX created a process that reduces the use of hazardous chemicals in petroleum products and completely eliminates the use of water. The Presidential Green Chemical Challenge winners were selected by an expert panel assembled by the American Chemical Society and are responsible for saving 21-billion gallons of water, eliminating an amount equivalent to 7.8-billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and reducing the use or creation of over 826-million pounds of hazardous chemicals.

“Soltex is honored to receive the Presidential Green Chemistry award," SOLTEX CEO Tony Massoud said. "This new polybutene technology has the potential to reduce waste and conserve energy, while optimizing operational costs. As a midsize company, we are proud to be included among the leaders in our industry who, through innovation and responsible care, have greatly improved our everyday life.”