Missoula, Montana based Rivertop Renewables develops new phosphate free detergent formula

Missoula based high-tech startup Rivertop Renewables http://www.rivertop.com/ says it has developed a new technology that’ll give you cleaner, spot-free dishes and create new jobs.

"Our intention is to raise the funds that allow us to build out a pilot plant here in our facility, here in Missoula, and then to basically double our workforce over roughly a year’s time," said Knauf.

By Will Wadley, KECI Reporter, [email protected]

Full Story: http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Missoula-company-develops-new-detergent-formula/-/14594602/19513556/-/v900gt/-/index.html

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A biomass bonanza

Rivertop is using nitric acid to oxidise sugar to create glucaric acid, aimed initially at the detergent market. ‘It’s a classic nitric acid oxidation that has been around for more than a century, but what we have done is put some important new developments in, including the recycling of the nitric acid. We are able to oxidise the byproducts to regenerate nitric acid, using the acid as a catalyst rather than a consumable,’ explains Knauf.

Emma Davies

Full Story: http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/02/chemicals-biomass