The trend shifts to safe and sustainable cleaning technologies
In the metal surface treatment industry, cleaning is the stage that determines the quality of the entire subsequent process such as coating, electroplating, passivation or metabolism. A surface that is not cleaned properly can result in peeling of the coating, reduced corrosion resistance, and a serious impact on product life.
Currently, the two most commonly used groups of cleaning chemicals are solvent-based cleaners and water-based cleaners. Each technology possesses its own advantages, but under pressure from environmental regulations and sustainable development requirements, water-based solutions are increasingly being chosen by businesses.
Solvent-based cleaners: Powerful but face many challenges
Solvent-based cleaners work on the principle of direct dissolution of grease, dirt, and contaminants on the surface of the material. Thanks to their strong solubility, these solvents often provide fast cleaning speeds and high efficiency for difficult industrial greases.
Some common solvents include:
- Acetone
- Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
- Ethanol
- Butyl Acetate
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
- Toluene
The outstanding advantages of solvent-based cleaners are:
- Powerful cleaning capabilities.
- Rapid evaporation, reduced processing time.
- Easy to penetrate into narrow crevices thanks to low surface tension.
- Suitable for precision cleaning applications.
However, this technology also has many limitations:
- A wide range of flammable and explosive solvents.
- High VOC (volatile organic compound) content.
- Strong chemical odor.
- Risk of affecting the health of workers.
- The cost of emissions treatment and environmental compliance is increasing.
Water-based cleaners: The solution of the future
Unlike traditional solvents, water-based cleaners use water as the main ingredient in combination with surfactants, emulsifiers, complexing agents, and specialized additives to remove dirt.
The cleaning mechanism of the water-based system is not only based on solubility, but also through chemical reactions that make it easier for grease and pollutants to disperse in the water.
Salient benefits of water-based cleaners
Safer for workers
Water-based products are typically low or VOC-free, which minimizes the risk of inhaling toxic solvent vapors during the manufacturing process.
Reduced environmental impact
Limiting the use of organic solvents makes it easier for businesses to meet increasingly stringent regulations on the environment and industrial emissions.
Limit the risk of fire and explosion
Since the main ingredient is water, the majority of water-based cleaners have a significantly lower level of flammability than traditional solvents.
Saves long-term operating costs
While additional washing and drying may be required, the costs of exhaust gas treatment, hazardous chemical management, and labor protection are often significantly reduced.
Detailed comparison between water-based and solvent-based cleaners
Solvents and cleaning agents suitable for modern production
In the context that the industry is transitioning to a green production model, businesses often prioritize the following solutions:
- Does not contain or minimize VOCs.
- Does not contain toxic heavy metals.
- Energy saving.
- Versatile for a wide range of metals.
- Integrate multiple stages in the same process.
This is why advanced water-based cleaning and metabolizing chemical systems are gradually replacing traditional solvent cleaning processes.
Starter MM & MM31® – New Generation Solvent Alternative
In order to meet the needs of efficient cleaning while ensuring modern environmental standards, the Starter MM and MM31® offer a comprehensive solution for the metal surface treatment industry.
Starter MM – Powerful cleaning, environmentally friendly
Starter MM is designed to replace traditional methods of cleaning, etching and phosphating with many outstanding advantages:
- Effectively removes oxides, oxidation layers, weld flakes and lightly rolled flakes.
- Operates effectively at low temperatures of only 20–35°C.
- pH neutral, environmentally friendly.
- Save water by reducing drag-outs.
- Suitable for steel, galvanized steel and aluminum.
The surface after treatment is highly clean, creating ideal conditions for the next stages.
MM31® – Advanced water-based metabolism technology
MM31® is a modern water-based coating and passivation solution, helping businesses eliminate dependence on traditional solvents.
Outstanding benefits include:
- Degrease and layer metabolism in one step.
- Increased adhesion to powder coatings and wet paints.
- Anti-red rust on steel.
- Anti-white rust on the galvanized surface.
- Increased corrosion resistance on aluminum.
- Allows long-term intermediate storage.
- Do not carry hazardous symbols.
- Reduce chemical exposure for workers.
In particular, MM31® meets international standards such as FROSIO, NACE, GSB, Qualicoat and Qualisteelcoat, helping businesses improve product quality while meeting strict export requirements.
Towards green production with Starter MM & MM31®
The shift from traditional solvent systems to water-based technology is no longer a trend but is becoming an inevitable requirement of modern industry. With the ability to clean effectively, reduce environmental impact, save operating costs, and improve occupational safety, Starter MM and MM31® are ideal solutions for businesses that want to optimize their metal surface treatment processes in a sustainable direction.
In the context of increasingly stringent global environmental standards, investing in advanced cleaning technologies such as Starter MM & MM31® not only helps improve product quality but also creates a long-term competitive advantage for businesses in the domestic and international markets.
See some alternative cleaners to solvents here: https://dk-chemicals.vn/
See some of our other products here: https://dk-metalsurfacetreatment.com/san-pham-cong-ty-tnhh-hoa-chat-d-k/
