Sustainability Benefits
FR3™ fluid sets a new standard in sustainability and performance. Made from over 99% bio-based content (ASTM D6866) and 100% biodegradable in as little as 10 days*, it's a powerful alternative to mineral oil. With excellent performance and rapid breakdown in natural environments, it significantly reduces long-term ecological impact in the event of a transformer spill. Plus, its properties can lead to lower costs for spill cleanup and remediation.
Developed to minimize safety and environmental risks
Oil spills from mineral-oil-filled transformers can occur due to a number of incidents, including catastrophic failures involving explosions and fires, corrosion-related leaks from prolonged exposure to harsh weather, and physical damage from accidents. When these kinds of incidents occur, utilities and emergency responders must act quickly to prevent the oil from harming nearby ecosystems. Unfortunately, mineral oil is hazardous and breaks down very slowly, making environmental damage difficult to avoid.
As mineral oil is harmful to soil and water and not biodegradable, it poses a significant contamination risk. Its use in transformers often demands complex containment systems and costly cleanup procedures when leads or spills occur. In some cases, hazardous waste removal may be required—adding to the financial and logistical burden.
In contrast, FR3 fluid is engineered for high performance and reliability while significantly reducing health and environmental risks. Its rapid biodegradability allows for simpler containment strategies and can lead to much lower cleanup costs compared to mineral oil.
Tested. Proven. Documented.
FR3™ fluid biodegradability stats
FR3 fluid’s physical and chemical properties provide environmental benefits that are superior to mineral oil.
| Attribute | Results | Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate aquatic biodegradation | >99% in 28 days | EPA OPPTS 835.3100 |
| Ready Biodegradation | 100% | EPA OPPTS 835.3110 |
| Acute aquatic toxicity | Nontoxic | OECD 202 and 203 |
| Acute oral toxicity | Nontoxic | OECD 420 |
| Biobased material content | > 99% | ASTM D6866 |
| Renewability of raw material | Annual cycle | Annual plant growing cycle |
FR3 fluid is a natural ester dielectric fluid derived from over 99% vegetable oil - a renewable resource. It's reclaimable, recyclable, and free from intentionally added petroleum, halogens, silicones, and sulfurs.
Nonhazardous1 to soil and water, FR3 fluid biodegrades in as little as 10 days*. In the event of a spill, bio-based remediation—using natural processes like soil and groundwater microbes—is often an effective cleanup method. This approach typically requires less equipment and labor than conventional techniques, relying instead on time and natural breakdown, which can result in significantly lower costs.
Aerobic aquatic biodegradation graph EPA test OPPTS 835.3100
What it all means
Using FR3 fluid in your power or distribution transformers helps:
- Peace of mind when placing your transformers in environmentally sensitive areas.
- Avoid expensive remediation (equipment and labor).
- Gain cost savings from installing simpler containment systems.
- Build reputation as an environmentally friendly organization by reducing dependency of fossil-based materials in your transformers.
Find out how using FR3 fluid positively effects total cost of ownership.
*OPPTS 835.3110
1Non-hazardous according to GHS
The products and services described on this website may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all persons.