Taking this into consideration, IPM determined that protecting the know-how of the process via a trade secret was essential. The patent application described a number of effective acidic compounds. However, the exact amount of each compound that is necessary for optimal performance was left out. This information is protected by NSTDA as a trade secret. Moreover, because an important benefit of the technology is to save costs by utilizing existing waste streams, the formulation must be adjusted to the unique requirements of each factory. This reaffirms that the know-how of NSTDA researchers is vital to the successful commercialization of the technology, and is therefore protected as a trade secret.