The word “sustainability” is thrown around so often that it starts to lose its impact. But in the context of car care, it can be straightforward: a product that performs without lingering harm, especially to our waterways.
At Nextzett, sustainability isn’t just marketing speak. It’s embedded in our approach, right down to our logo, where the blue arrow represents forward-thinking, water-based innovation, and the green leaf reflects our focus on environmental responsibility.
Years ago, we began labeling certain products (like W99 Degreaser, Lotus ISF, and Blitz APC) as “NTA-Free”. In Europe (where we’re headquartered), this is becoming more common. In North America, it hasn’t yet taken hold.
So, what is NTA?
NTA stands for Nitrilotriacetic Acid, a mouthful, which is why the acronym sticks. It’s a chelating agent used in pre-cleaners, industrial soaps, and shampoos. Chelating agents grab onto metal particles, helping to dissolve dirt and grime. The downside? When they wash down the drain, they continue doing their job, binding to heavy metals and carrying them into our water system. And that’s a problem.
Think of chelating agents like magnets. Just because you flush one down the drain doesn’t mean it stops pulling in metal. The ongoing activity disrupts aquatic ecosystems and can impact our drinking water. It’s also an inhalation hazard.
We started phasing NTA out of our formulas back in 2010. Why not just keep using it? It’s cheap. However, methanol is also a concern, and we opt for ethanol instead, even though it’s more expensive because it’s safer.
Formulating a cleaner is always a balancing act. Not just in performance while you’re using it but in what happens once it’s rinsed away. If you’re a professional detailer, you’re likely exposed to chemicals all day. Safer formulas matter. And if you’re an enthusiast, even occasional exposure adds up. We take that seriously, for your health and for the environment.
Our formulas are constantly evolving. W99 and Blitz today are not the same as they were 25 years ago. And the updates won’t stop there.
Bottom Line.
We’re committed to replacing harsh chemicals like NTA with safer. more environmentally responsible alternatives that do not compromise performance. Watch for the NTA-Free label next time you restock. Because in the long run, the details do matter.