3M™ Novec™ Phaseout – Final Order Deadline
March 31, 2025 is the last day that orders for 3M™ Novec™ products will be accepted due to the phaseout.
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3M™ Novec™ Replacement Alternatives
Due to the discontinuation of 3M™ Novec™ solvents by the end of 2025, many companies are searching for an alternative solvent option that is suitable for both the present and the future.
Best Technology recognizes the urgency that companies in highly regulated industries are experiencing to identify a 3M™ Novec™ replacement. Industries such as medical device and aerospace require extensive time for rigorous process validation, testing and approval for changes to manufacturing processes.
Companies relying on 3M™ Novec™ for their solvent cleaning process must find a Novec™ alternative for use with vapor degreasers. The ideal substitute is a drop-in Novec™ replacement that does not require major process revalidation or equipment changes.
BestSolv™ Engineered Fluids are formulated as drop-in replacements for 3M™ Novec™ fluids. Based on fluorinated fluid chemistries, including hydrofluoroethers (HFE), BestSolv™ fluids provide the proven performance and outstanding environmental and safety features of established solvent technology.
Video: Three Requirements for a Successful 3M™ Novec™ Replacement
Common Applications for 3M™ Novec™ Replacements
BestSolv™ Engineered Fluids meet the needs of companies seeking a 3M™ Novec™ replacement in a variety of industrial applications, including:
- Vapor degreasing
- Solvent cleaning of industrial parts
- Cleaning oxygen system parts
- Movie film cleaning
- Other precision cleaning applications
- Latent fingerprint processing
- Forensic analysis of bloodstains
- High voltage testing
- Dielectric cooling of power electronics
- Fire suppression
3M™ Novec™ Replacements
*Note: Information is provided by Best Technology, not 3M™. 3M™ does not endorse or recommend any alternative material. As such, the customer is responsible for evaluation of the material’s various properties when looking at alternatives.
Exact Molecule vs. Similar Molecule in 3M™ Novec™ Replacements: What’s the Difference?
Best Technology offers three types of replacement fluids for 3M™ Novec™ products:
- Exact Molecule (also sometimes referred to as “Direct Molecule” or “Chemically Identical”)
- Similar Molecule
- Next-Gen PFAS Free
Exact Molecule Novec™ Replacement
The BestSolv™ Exact Molecule replacement type is chemically identical to its 3M™ Novec™ counterpart. This reduces hassle with process validation, as the fluid has identical properties to a previously used fluid. In addition, the exact molecule replacements are classified as PFAS under the U.S. EPA’s proposed definition.
Similar Molecule Novec™ Replacement
The BestSolv™ Similar Molecule replacement type uses a different hydrofluoroether (HFE) molecule from 3M™ Novec™ products. While both are HFE fluids, and thus have similar properties, the HFE in BestSolv™ similar molecule replacements is not considered PFAS under the U.S. EPA’s proposed definition.
Both of these replacement types from Best Technology offer a significant cost savings over the equivalent 3M™ Novec™ fluids, with the similar molecule replacements available at a lower cost than the exact molecule replacements.
Next-Generation PFAS-Free Solvents
The BestSolv™ Next-Gen PFAS Free replacement type is a PFAS-free hydrochlorofluoroolefin HCFO / hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) proprietary fluid. Unlike most 3M™ Novec™ fluids, this replacement type is not a hydrofluoroether (HFE) fluid. Based on the most stringent, far-reaching definitions of PFAS passed by Minnesota and Maine legislation, the Next-Gen PFAS Free solvents do not contain PFAS.
What is an HFE solvent?
HFE stands for hydrofluoroether. It is a complex organic cleaning solvent that does not occur naturally in the environment. HFE was developed as an alternative to ozone-depleting solvents such as CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs, and PFCs. At room temperature, its visual appearance is identical to water. Like water, it is colorless, odorless and tasteless. As HFE has a high molecular weight, it stays in the atmosphere for less than two weeks and doesn’t have any ozone depletion potential (ODP), making it a superior choice over other chemicals.
The HFE chemistry in BestSolv™ solvents also offers low GWP (global warming potential), so there is no need to compromise sustainability and safety for excellent performance in solvent cleaning and other applications.
Best Solv is exclusively distributed by Best Technology in a variety of formulations, for light-duty to heavy-duty cleaning performance. “Neat” HFE formulations are 100% HFE.
Other formulations include additive blends to the HFE chemistry for better cleaning performance. The most common additive to BestSolv™ formulations is trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (t-DCE). (Note: t-DCE is not to be confused with the harmful TCE, or trichloroethylene.)
3M™ Novec™ Replacement Solvents with t-DCE
Examples of Best Solv products with t-DCE include:
- BestSolv™ Alpha
- BestSolv™ Bravo
- BestSolv™ Delta
- BestSolv™ Echo
- BestSolv™ Lima
- BestSolv™ Omega
- BestSolv™ Theta
- BestSolv™ 71DA
- BestSolv™ 71DE
- BestSolv™ 72DA
- BestSolv™ 72DE
- BestSolv™ 73DE
BestSolv™ Benefits as a Novec™ Replacement
- Drop-in Replacement. BestSolv™ fluids meet immediate needs by using existing solvent technology, without significant process revalidation or vapor degreaser equipment changes.
- Dual Sourced. Due to the market dominance of 3M™ in the fluid industry, many companies sourced their HFE Novec™ fluids from 3M™ exclusively. BestSolv™ fluids are sourced from more than one country to ensure consistent supply.
- Cost and Performance. In most applications, BestSolv™ Engineered Fluids perform similarly to Novec™ fluids. Even with similar performance, BestSolv™ fluids have significant cost advantages of up to 50% compared to Novec™.
BestSolv™ Engineered Fluids are non-flammable, and do not require special handling for storage or shipping. Like Novec™, they are chemically stable azeotropes or near azeotropes, so they maintain their chemical properties in both vacuum and vapor degreasers.
Effective Cleaning Performance in Novec™ Replacements
Due to their low surface tension, BestSolv™ Engineered Fluids are able to infiltrate narrow areas and complex parts for cleaner results. Once hard-to-reach spots have been meticulously cleaned, these fluids can be easily drained without being trapped in small spaces. They evaporate and dry rapidly with minimal NVR (non-volatile residue), unlike aqueous solutions that leave behind residue or stains caused by water. Consequently, using BestSolv™ Engineered Fluids ensures faster and more efficient cleaning of parts while reducing expensive complications arising from solvent losses caused by “drag-out”.
Which 3M™ Novec™ Replacement Alternative is Right for You?
| Cleaning Performance | Compare To | Composition | Boiling Point °C |
Vapor Pressure mmHg @ 20°C |
Liquid Density g/cm2 |
| Light Duty | |||||
| BestSolv™ Sierra | 3M™ Novec™ 7100 | Hydrofluoroether (HFE) (100%) | 56 | 232 | 1.47 |
| BestSolv™ 7100 | 3M™ Novec™ 7100 | HFE7100 (100%) | 59 | 210 | 1.5 |
| BestSolv™ 7200 | 3M™ Novec™ 7200 | HFE7200 (100%) | 76 | 110 | 1.43 |
| BestSolv™ 7300 | 3M™ Novec™ 7300 | HFE7300 (100%) | 98 | 44 | 1.66 |
| BestSolv™ Lima | 3M™ Novec™ 71IPA | Hydrofluoroether (HFE) Isopropanol |
54 | 232 | 1.43 |
| BestSolv™ 71IPA | 3M™ Novec™ 71IPA | HFE7100 Isopropanol |
55 | 207 | 1.48 |
| Medium Duty | |||||
| BestSolv™ Zeta | 3M™ Novec™ 7100 | HCFO/HFO PFAS-Free | 54 | 240 | 1.39 |
| BestSolv™ Delta | 3M™ Novec™ 71DE | Hydrofluoroether (HFE) t-DCEa |
39 | 368 | 1.36 |
| BestSolv™ 71DE | 3M™ Novec™ 71DE | HFE7100 t-DCEa |
41 | 383 | 1.37 |
| BestSolv™ Theta | 3M™ Novec™ 71DA | Hydrofluoroether (HFE) t-DCEa Isopropanol |
39 | 368 | 1.36 |
| BestSolv™ 71DA | 3M™ Novec™ 71DA | HFE7100 t-DCEa Ethanol |
40 | 381 | 1.33 |
| Heavy Duty | |||||
| BestSolv™ Echo | 3M™ Novec™ 72DE | t-DCEa Hydrofluoroether (HFE) |
42 | 368 | 1.30 |
| BestSolv™ 72DE | 3M™ Novec™ 72DE | t-DCEa HFE7100 HFE7200 |
43 | 350 | 1.28 |
| BestSolv™ Alpha | 3M™ Novec™ 72DA | t-DCEa Hydrofluoroether (HFE) Isopropanol |
42 | 343 | 1.32 |
| BestSolv™ 72DA | 3M™ Novec 72DA | t-DCEa HFE7100 HFE7200 Isopropanol |
44 | 360 | 1.27 |
| BestSolv™ Omega | 3M™ Novec 72DA | t-DCEa HCFO/HFO PFAS-Free |
46 | 341 | 1.27 |
| BestSolv™ Bravo | 3M™ Novec™ 73DE | t-DCEa Hydrofluoroether (HFE) |
38.6 | 367 | 1.27 |
| BestSolv™ 73DE | 3M™ Novec™ 73DE | t-DCEa HFE7300 |
48 | 263 | 1.28 |
a trans-1,2-dichloroethylene
Solvent Cleaning FAQs
- Why use cleaning solvents?
- What are PFAS chemicals?
- 3M™ Novec™ phase out
- nPB phase out
- TCE phase out
- Methylene chloride phase out
- AK225 phase out
- How do I convert my vapor degreaser to a new solvent?
- What is an azeotrope?
- What is kauri-butanol value?
Future of HFE Solvents
To learn more about the 3M™ Novec™ phase out, visit our page 3M™ Novec™ HFE Engineered Fluids Phase Out and PFAS Phase Out.
Plan your 3M™ Novec™ transition with BestSolv™ Engineered Fluids from Best Technology. Our experienced solvent experts are available to answer your questions and assist you throughout the process. Contact us today to discuss which BestSolv™ fluid is best for your application.
BestSolv™ Price and Ordering
For purposes of product stewardship, Best Solv™ Engineered Fluids cannot be sold directly online and are available for customers in the United States only.
Please contact our chemical sales department for a quote by clicking the “Get a Quote” button, or call 612-392-2414, ext. 2.