New Bio-remedial parts washer
July 1st 2004 Due to tightening legislation the use of solvent based cleaners continues to cause health and safety and environmental management problems for users. However, the new Enviro-Wash parts cleaning system from Fuchs can address these issues without negatively impacting on productivity
Fuchs Petrolub AG, the worlds largest independent lubricant company with a subsidiary in the UK, recently acquired the industrial lubricants business of Parker Hannifin, which operates under the brand name Wynns.
As a result of this acquisition, one particularly important addition to the Fuchs product portfolio in the UK is the introduction of the Enviro-Wash Parts Cleaning System.
Used extensively by the automotive and aerospace component manufacturing industry in Europe, the Enviro-Wash system is an aqueous based system that uses the principle of biodegradation to provide customers with superior wash performance as well as a safe and economical alternative to traditional solvent based cleaners. The wash is suitable for both metallic and non-metallic parts.
The Enviro-Wash unit can hold 100kg of manufactured components in its bath that can be washed either via the jet tap or abrasive brush.
The degreasing fluid used in the Enviro-Wash, is the specially developed Specinet Bio-Fluid; a pH neutral, odourless fluid free from soda and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) making it non-flammable. This enables users to overcome the traditional problems associated with handling and storing hydro-carbon or chlorinated solvent type fluids that are flammable and subject to governmental regulation for storage and transportation.
After washing, the fluid is re-cycled via a special dual action Specinet Bio-Filter. The filter initially retains particles larger than 50 microns, but while flushing also impregnates the fluid with micro-organisms that are then carried within the systems cycle after use.
These micro-organisms once in the fluid, digest oil and grease residues transforming them into carbon dioxide, a natural gas, which then harmlessly disseminates into the atmosphere. What the television advertisers call friendly bacteria.
As a consequence the system fluid is self cleansing; reducing the cost of fluid replenishment as cleaning effectiveness is not compromised, but most importantly to manufacturers, reduces the huge disposal costs associated with waste solvents.
The costs associated with the use of solvent based cleaners are a constant problem to users. Extra personal protective equipment (PPE) and extra requirements in CoSHH reporting are just two extra tangible costs associated with solvent cleaners. When companies consider the impact hazardous waste generation and disposal, increased vehicle movements on site, potential dermatitis and skin conditions for employees and compliance with ISO 14000, an industry wide shift to use water based fluids seems inevitable.
The Enviro-Wash system including all consumables will be available from Fuchs Lubricants (UK) as well as approved Wynns distributors in the UK. Fuchs looks to minimise the cost of parts cleaning by not subjecting users to the service contracts employed by many parts washer suppliers, allowing users to control their costs from day 1.
Today, solvent washes are still the preferred choice for industry with an estimated 70 000 service contracts currently running in the UK. As legislation becomes stricter what does the future hold for the solvent market?
Solvent supplies can still hold to the argument that their products offer consumers a quicker drying time to improve productivity and suppliers are now looking towards more environmentally aware versions of traditional fluids.
For further information on the Enviro-Wash product, please contact Natalie Baker at Fuchs Lubricants (UK) on Tel: 08701 200400.
Fuchs is also giving interested parties the chance to register their interest and to win a KAWASAKI Ninja ZX-6R street bike designed like the Fuchs Team Kawasaki MotoGP bike by logging onto their website. The bike has a 636cc, 4-stroke engine, consists of high-performance racing materials and has a top speed of 152 mph. To enter the free of charge competition go to www.fuchslubricants.com More articles from Fuchs Lubricants (UK) Plc: | 
