Select Your Region
Solus™: Nitrocellulose Alternatives for Modern Formulations
In recent times, a nitrocellulose shortage has arisen from a combination of supply volatility stemming from constrained manufacturing capacity caused by increased demand competition between end markets. For example, many coating and ink applications for nitrocellulose have experienced decreased demand due to higher allocation towards defense applications. This has made sourcing nitrocellulose unpredictable for many formulators. These challenges, along with heightened safety and stewardship concerns, are prompting manufacturers to seek reliable alternatives.
Eastman Solus™, a plant-based polymer, offers a promising solution as a complete or partial nitrocellulose alternative for replacement in coating and ink systems, making it a valuable option for teams navigating supply chain pressures. It helps to reduce operational and handling risk, and depending on the application, supports strong film formation, can improve adhesion, and offers more consistent film appearance and formulation viscosity management.
What are the Risks of Using Nitrocellulose?
Aside from supply chain volitivity creating nitrocellulose shortages, formulators inherit additional risks for themselves and various end customers in their value chains, such as those listed below.
- Safety and handling risk: nitrocellulose is treated as a flammable/energetic material, which can increase storage, shipping, and insurance complexity given inherent ignition and explosion risks
- Nitrosamine concern pathways: in certain end uses such as inks and overprint varnishes for food, healthcare, and pharmaceutical packaging, scrutiny around nitrosamine evolution from nitrocellulose has increased broadly
- Recycling contamination: during the recycling of coatings containing nitrocellulose on plastic substrates, hazardous nitrosamine gases can be generated, raising further safety concerns for handlers and recyclers.
Replacing Nitrocellulose with Eastman Solus™
Eastman Solus™ is a cellulose-based polymer designed for high compatibility and broad solubility, supporting the creation of high-performing films across demanding formulations. For teams impacted by the nitrocellulose shortage, or those looking to mitigate nitrocellulose-related safety and sustainability concerns, Solus™ can help maintain critical attributes such as clarity, dry-time optimization, and durability while offering better formulation performance.
Formulation Performance Advantages vs. Nitrocellulose
Better Adhesion
In side-by-side evaluations, Solus™ 1100 was demonstrated to deliver stronger adhesion than nitrocellulose resins in ink formulations—helping reduce chipping, flaking, and early film failure across various common packaging substrates.
Improved Viscosity Control and Stabilization
Viscosity drift can cause major downtime in continuous inkjet (CIJ) ink processes and quality variation in production and end use. Eastman’s cellulose acetate butyrates (CAB), which constitute Solus™, can help achieve better inkjet ink formulation stabilization by supporting more consistent rheology as shown below. Learn more here.
Anti-yellowing and Aesthetics
Compared with nitrocellulose-based systems, Solus™ and CABs can help improve color stability and reduce yellowing, as shown below. This is critical in applications where the integrity of film coloration must be maintained across exposure to the sun and other environmental conditions. Click here to learn more about how this property helps improve nail polish formulations.
If you are seeking to qualify a nitrocellulose alternative due to shortages or risk-management, Solus™ is an ideal candidate to evaluate. To support evaluations and testing, click the link below to speak to one of our technical specialists who can provide you with samples and pricing.
Are you in the correct region?
We’ve detected that you are located in a different region than the region selected on the website. Would you like to change your region?
Current Region: English - Canada
