pvb
Well-known member
The thread ”Son of Soltron” raises some intriguing questions. I first heard about Soltron on US boating forums, and was impressed by the positive reports I read of the benefits of using it, particularly to cure problems caused by “diesel bug”. I discovered from the Solpower website (makers of Soltron) and the Soltron-GTR website (distributors of Soltron) that it uses enzyme technology developed by Dr Shinji Makino in Japan. In 1992, Dr Makino licensed his fuel technology to Dominion Capital Pty Ltd, who appointed Solpower Corporation in the USA as the exclusive worldwide marketer, manufacturer and distributor of his hydrocarbon enzyme technology.
However, it’s now apparent that the “Soltron” sold in the UK (and maybe in the rest of Europe) is not the same stuff as the original US-made Soltron. Indeed, there’s a warning on the Soltron-GTR website that “Due to trademark conflicts and imitation products in various parts of the world, Solpower Corporation advises customers to verify the source of any fuel treatment using the name Soltron or Xbee”.
So what’s the “Soltron” that we buy here in the UK? Evidently, it comes from a Belfast-based company which owns the rights to the name “Soltron” here (and presumably in the rest of Europe).
The poster Depsol seems to have some link to this company, and he’s claimed in the “Son of Soltron” thread that the original US-made Soltron is not safe to use: “You will find hazardous chemicals in theirs like Benzene and Toluene known to be a cause for cancer.”
However, BrendanS has convincingly argued that these claims are false, and Depsol seems to have lost the power of reason and has gone off.
So where does that leave us – the UK consumers – in this confusing situation? I e-mailed the Solpower Corporation for clarification. They replied:
<font color="blue">“Unfortunately, there are several "Soltron's" around the world. Notably, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. However, we believe they all originate from the same source. Facts:
1. Solpower Corporation, USA is the sole licensee to manufacturer and distribute Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment, an invention of Dr. Shinji Makino, Institute for Bioenergy, outside of Japan.
2. "Xbee" is our product under private label for the EU, from Xtra Xport Trade in France, as is "Startron", a new version under private label from Starbrite, the world's largest manufacturer of boat maintenance products.
3. The knock-offs do not contain our enzyme.
4. The Belfast based Solpower is unrelated to Solpower Corporation, USA and we have been assured, has no access to Makino's enzyme. This company does own the trademark "Soltron" in the EU.
5. Solpower Corporation has no knowledge of what chemicals or components are in other additives called Soltron, and suggests the buyer beware of claims. If you have concerns about ingredients, safety, and quality, we suggest you read the MSDS sheet from the manufacturer. Conventional chemical additives will use alcohol, metals, salts, or other organo-metallic components to try to achieve the effects of Soltron's enzyme formula.
The one and only, Original Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment contains 99.5% Low Odor Base Solvent, (de-odorized kerosene) with a flash point of 150F, and contains .5% proprietary organic compounds (the enzyme). There are no other chemicals or components in Soltron.
Respectfully,
Matthew A. Cohen
General Manager
Marketing and Technical Services
Solpower Corporation (USA) “</font>
That helps to clarify matters, but it still raises doubts in my mind as to whether the “Soltron” available in the UK works as well as the original US-made product. I’ve used the UK “Soltron”, together with biocides, and although I haven’t had problems, I confess I’m now unsure as to whether the UK “Soltron” has had a beneficial effect, or whether it's the biocide that worked.
For me, there’s a clear message emerging. In the future, I’ll only use the original US-made Soltron, by buying either Startron or Xbee. There may not be any additional benefit, but I’ll be more convinced that I’m not being ripped off.
However, it’s now apparent that the “Soltron” sold in the UK (and maybe in the rest of Europe) is not the same stuff as the original US-made Soltron. Indeed, there’s a warning on the Soltron-GTR website that “Due to trademark conflicts and imitation products in various parts of the world, Solpower Corporation advises customers to verify the source of any fuel treatment using the name Soltron or Xbee”.
So what’s the “Soltron” that we buy here in the UK? Evidently, it comes from a Belfast-based company which owns the rights to the name “Soltron” here (and presumably in the rest of Europe).
The poster Depsol seems to have some link to this company, and he’s claimed in the “Son of Soltron” thread that the original US-made Soltron is not safe to use: “You will find hazardous chemicals in theirs like Benzene and Toluene known to be a cause for cancer.”
However, BrendanS has convincingly argued that these claims are false, and Depsol seems to have lost the power of reason and has gone off.
So where does that leave us – the UK consumers – in this confusing situation? I e-mailed the Solpower Corporation for clarification. They replied:
<font color="blue">“Unfortunately, there are several "Soltron's" around the world. Notably, Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. However, we believe they all originate from the same source. Facts:
1. Solpower Corporation, USA is the sole licensee to manufacturer and distribute Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment, an invention of Dr. Shinji Makino, Institute for Bioenergy, outside of Japan.
2. "Xbee" is our product under private label for the EU, from Xtra Xport Trade in France, as is "Startron", a new version under private label from Starbrite, the world's largest manufacturer of boat maintenance products.
3. The knock-offs do not contain our enzyme.
4. The Belfast based Solpower is unrelated to Solpower Corporation, USA and we have been assured, has no access to Makino's enzyme. This company does own the trademark "Soltron" in the EU.
5. Solpower Corporation has no knowledge of what chemicals or components are in other additives called Soltron, and suggests the buyer beware of claims. If you have concerns about ingredients, safety, and quality, we suggest you read the MSDS sheet from the manufacturer. Conventional chemical additives will use alcohol, metals, salts, or other organo-metallic components to try to achieve the effects of Soltron's enzyme formula.
The one and only, Original Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment contains 99.5% Low Odor Base Solvent, (de-odorized kerosene) with a flash point of 150F, and contains .5% proprietary organic compounds (the enzyme). There are no other chemicals or components in Soltron.
Respectfully,
Matthew A. Cohen
General Manager
Marketing and Technical Services
Solpower Corporation (USA) “</font>
That helps to clarify matters, but it still raises doubts in my mind as to whether the “Soltron” available in the UK works as well as the original US-made product. I’ve used the UK “Soltron”, together with biocides, and although I haven’t had problems, I confess I’m now unsure as to whether the UK “Soltron” has had a beneficial effect, or whether it's the biocide that worked.
For me, there’s a clear message emerging. In the future, I’ll only use the original US-made Soltron, by buying either Startron or Xbee. There may not be any additional benefit, but I’ll be more convinced that I’m not being ripped off.
