Missoula, MT: Rivertop Renewables, a Montana-based renewable chemicals company, today announced it has been awarded a contract from the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to supply 110,000 gallons of bio-based corrosion inhibitor for use with liquid deicers on the state’s snowy and icy roads this winter. Rivertop’s ”Headwaters” inhibitor will be mixed with MDT’s salt brine deicers to prevent the corrosion of bridges and vehicles. Derived from renewable corn sugar, Headwaters is a completely biodegradable, cost-effective inhibitor that consistently performs at high levels.
”Our Headwaters product provides the state a highly effective, affordable and environmentally safe corrosion inhibitor that not only helps keep the roads clear, but reduces the impact on infrastructure and the environment,” said Jere Kolstad, President of Rivertop. ”Essentially MDT will put sugar and salt on our roads to keep winter drivers safe and our state’s economy flowing, while protecting infrastructure investments and our environment.”
Road maintenance departments across the country are increasing the use of liquid deicers rather than traditional road salts due to their effectiveness and ease of application. Furthermore, salt brines can be cost-effectively enhanced to limit their corrosive effects. The roads maintenance industry historically has used phosphate-based inhibitors; however these have been phased-out of use in favor of alternatives that are environmentally benign, like Headwaters.
Rivertop’s Headwaters is derived from sodium gluconate and is formulated to maintain a higher level of consistency and reliability as compared to other biobased inhibitors.
Broadening the local economic impact of the contract, Rivertop will work with two other Montana-based companies to supply MDT with bio-based inhibitors. Rivertop will team with a local chemical company and a local trucking company to formulate and deliver the inhibitor from Missoula to the MDT’s supply depots throughout the state.
