Gene Kearns writes:

Any clue what this miracle stuff is? Trade names? International
availability?

The water-based degreasers are weak solutions of butyl cleaner (various
names for it: 2-butoxyethanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, butyl
cellosolve), which is the same surfactant ingredient in 409 or Fantastik.

The "industrial strength" versions simply add a little lye (sodium
hydroxide), which is why they melt off hardened grease and dried oils.
Including defatting your skin, if you contact it more than a little.

Cheapest common retail source is to buy the Zep industrial (purple) cleaner
at Home Depot, and dilute it to whatever strength you need.

Guys can be as superstitious and ignorant as washerwomen when it comes to
cleaning products. Learn to find and interpret MSDS's and you'll discover
how these high-priced (but heavily advertised) cleaners work, and are made
from stuff as cheap as dirt. Also see the article on "detergency" in the
Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, all the mysteries and
ingredients are explained.