VIRWITE/V-BRITE/VIRTEX

Chemtrade is the leading North American supplier of specialized sodium hydrosulphite based formulations.

Chemtrade’s Sodium Hydrosulphite products are sold in a variety of forms and formulations.  Liquid and powder concentrates and blended formulations specific for particular applications are available.

The sodium hydrosulphite products are sold into markets under several registered trade names:  VIRTEX®, V-BRITE®, VIRWITE®, K-BRITE®, and REACTASTRIP®.

VIRWITE/V-BRITE/VIRTEX compounds are superior to pure sodium hydrosulphite. They impart greater stability to the hydrosulphite ion by suppressing the anaerobic decomposition reaction. This ensures maximum availability of the hydrosulphite ion.  They are being used as a bleaching agent or reducing agent for applications in textile, paper or kaolin clay industry.

Infrastructure

Our production facilities for liquid VIRWITE/V-BRITE sodium hydrosulphite based formulations are strategically located near our customer base:

In the USA:
Leeds, South Carolina
Kalama, Washington

In Canada:
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Thunder Bay, Ontario

These production plants are high quality and incorporate state-of-the art processes.

Chemtrade also operates a network of shipping warehouses throughout North America to blend and package powder VIRWITE/V-BRITE/VIRTEX sodium hydrosulphite.  We provide custom formulation and application technology. The powder products are available in 50 or 100 kg drums or 1800 kg returnable containers or IBCs. The powder form is a free-flowing, white, crystalline solid.

VIRWITE/V-BRITE SODIUM HYDROSULPHITE

Pulp and Paper Application

The pulp and paper industry employs reductive bleaching with hydrosulphite products to increase the brightness of mechanical pulps. Reductive bleaching is widely recognized as the most cost-effective method to gain 6-12 points of brightness. It is also very effective to bleach recycled or deinked pulps as it effectively removes the color.  It is not limited to an acid pH range but has proven its effectiveness at alkaline pH as its reductive potential is increasing with the pH raise.  Chemtrade’s VIRWITE/V-BRITE® bleaching compounds are proprietary products specifically designed to help meet this challenge. VIRWITE/V-BRITE bleaching compounds are superior to pure sodium hydrosulphite for several reasons. They have been formulated to suppress the anaerobic decomposition reaction. They contain a careful combination of stabilizing and buffering agents that impart stability to the hydrosulphite ion. This ensures maximum availability of hydrosulphite ions to bleach pulp.

This combination of ingredients makes VIRWITE/V-BRITE bleach the most effective single product bleach available. At low addition rates VIRWITE/V-BRITE bleaching compounds have the same bleaching effect as equal quantities of pure sodium hydrosulphite. For higher brightness, the formulated products can be used in smaller quantities than pure sodium hydrosulphite to achieve the same results. This means that an operator can reach the target brightness more readily with VIRWITE/V-BRITE bleach.

Textile Application

VIRWITE/V-BRITE/VIRTEX Sodium Hydrosulphite is used as reducing agent for the reduction of vat dyes and sulphur containing dyes. The purpose of this reduction reaction is to form the leuco components of the mentioned dyes, which are soluble in water and have a great affinity for the textile fabric. It is also used to optimize the color fastness, which can be achieved by a reductive decomposition of the excess of dye stuff that is adsorbed at the surface of the textile. Other applications as reducing agent can be found in the removal of pigments on textile that has been dyed in a wrong way and in the reduction of residual hydrogen peroxide (after bleaching) as a pre-treatment for the dye process with reactive dyes.

Clay Application

K-BRITE® Sodium Hydrosulphite is a strong reducing product formulated for use in the clay industry.  It will reduce iron from its insoluble state to a water-soluble state (ferric to ferrous). Once reduced, the iron contamination can be washed out to produce a kaolin clay slip, which is then optically brighter. K-BRITE®Formulations can be used to brighten other minerals as well. Ground calcium carbonate, feldspar fillers and others can benefit from the ability of this product to reduce metal contamination so that they, too, can be washed out of the system.

Other Applications

Ion Exchange Resins: VIRTEX D concentrated sodium hydrosulphite may be used for the regular regeneration of ion exchange resins.  By incorporating VIRTEX D concentrated sodium hydrosulphite into a routine regeneration procedure, the useful life of high capacity ion-exchange resins can be extended. This resin restoration is particularly beneficial in areas where the water supply contains high levels of iron.

Kaolin Clay Leaching: Reduces surface discoloration caused by metallic impurities.

Chromium Waste and Spotting Treatment: Reduction of hexavalent chromium to a trivalent form.

Bleaching: Provides strong reducing action for the bleaching of soaps, glues, oils, minerals, and synthetic rubber.

General Reducing Agent: VIRTEX D concentrated sodium hydrosulphite can be used with confidence in the production of various fine chemicals, plastics and synthetic rubbers because of the strict purity standards adhered to in its manufacture. The product is essentially free of heavy metals and is ideal in applications where the absence of heavy metals and rapid solubility is desired.

Dissolving Systems

As part of its service program, Chemtrade offers automated dissolving systems that produce VIRWITE/V-BRITE/VIRTEX sodium hydrosulphite solution from Chemtrade dry powder products.  These systems are customized to meet customer needs, from large continuous operations to small batch systems.  They produce a solution of pre-determined concentration at variable flow rates on demand. Powder is fed to the dissolving system via returnable aluminum containers, significantly reducing labor associated with drum handling and minimizing dissolving losses. A gasket-sealed slide gate conveniently opens on the bottom of the bin allowing powder to safely flow to the hopper minimizing dust.

Information request

For more information about Chemtrade specialized hydrosulphite based formulations, please contact shs@chemtradelogistics.com.