ICT
HIGHLIGHT
Safechem Establishes an Innovative Chemical Leasing Concept COMPLEASE™ – COMPLETE AND FUTURE-ORIENTED SOLUTION TO OPTIMISE THE CLEANING PROCESS
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hlorinated solvents are essential to numerous precision cleaning applications, especially in the aerospace, automotive and medical industry as well as in the production of safety devices. However, to protect man and the environment, the use of these cleaning agents is strictly regulated by law such as the SED Directive and REACH. Additionally, Trichloroethylene is subject to the Voluntary Industry Commitment. The innovative COMPLEASE™ concept from SAFECHEM enables users to lease the entire solvent cleaning process. Thus, highest requirements to both component cleanliness and environmental and occupational safety can be met. At the same time, this serviceoriented leasing model provides continuous process optimisation. Ever-changing and increasing requirements to component cleanliness challenge hallenge ha the customers´ decision-making aking ng for the right cleaning process. ss. Due to their specific physical al and chemical properties, organic rganic solvents – in particular chlorinated orinated hydrocarbons hydrocarbon oca ns – supply a lot of advantages in cleaning heavily lubricated and difficult to dry metal components or work pieces. Their benefits include excellent degreasing attributes, low surface tension, high chemical stability and good drying characteristics. Nevertheless, comprehensive regulatory requirements for environmental and occupational safety dictate that the product specific risks are properly managed.
State-of-the-art solvent cleaning To meet the high requirements of environmental and occupational safety, today chlorinated solvents should only be used in completely closed cleaning equipment. For the supply and disposal of solvents, the SAFE-TAINER™ system, developed by SAFECHEM Europe GmbH – a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company – represents the Best Available Technology (BAT). Since last year SAFECHEM offers this advanced system also to the North American market under the brand name SAFECARE™. It consists of two different, specially designed double-walled containers for fresh and used solvents. In combination with closed cleaning equipment, the system ensures not only practically emission-free operation, but also an ecology-minded and legally compliant closed-loop process. The range closedof solvents, which includes solve both chlorinated hydrocarbons ch (perchloroethylene, (perchl trichloroethylene and methylene trichlor chloride) and solvents based on chloride modified alcohols, is being expanded with a comprehensive consulting and service offer and the CHEMAWARE™ information platform. The latter supports customers in their decision-making with expert knowledge and information on best practices for a high quality cleaning process. The goal of this service is the sustainable, safe and ecology-minded use of solvents.
10 AUGUST 2011