The ABCs of Vapor Degreasing Solvents Replacement

There are many changes in today’s solvent-cleaning world, and possibly more to come.

Joe McChesneyIf your manufacturing process includes using solvents to clean your production parts, you are likely aware of recent changes in the availability of some solvents and the regulatory actions by the EPA to ban or severely restrict the use of others.

Traditional vapor degreasing solvents face environmental concerns that may affect your cleaning operations when using solvent cleaning technology — by choice or necessity based on your production methods. Some solvent manufacturers are exiting this market- thus their products will no longer be available. Some solvent materials are being phased out or severely restricted by the US Government.

With today’s supply chain challenges, price increases, and meeting Federal, State, or local regulatory compliance, timelines for replacing specific solvents are more important than ever.

What Solvents Are Affected Now, or Will Face Regulatory Issues?

Several solvents will soon be no longer available for commercial use. Below are examples for consideration, but this is not a complete listing. 

• 3M publicly announced in 2022 that it would exit per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) manufacturing and work to discontinue PFAS in its product portfolio by the end of 2025, with no orders accepted after March 31, 2025.The trade name for this product family is NOVEC.
• HFC solvents will no longer be acceptable per DoD, GSA, and NASA guidelines (public notice issued). The American Innovation & Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted in December 2020, mandates a phasedown schedule of HFC production beginning in 2024 when 40% of HFCs will be removed from the marketplace.
• EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has defined the scope of the risk for commonly used vapor degreasing solvents listed below. EPA’s published “CHEMICAL RISK EVALUATION” for each of the below solvents contain direct statements that EPA has determined: “use of these substances presents an unreasonable risk to human health.” 
  • Trichloroethylene (TCE)
  • Perchloroethylene (PERC)
  • 1 Bromopropane (nPB)
  • Methylene Chloride (MC)
  • n-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP)

Follow the ABCs

Here are some steps to follow to check your systems:

1. If any of these solvents are used for vapor degreasing in parts cleaning operations, time may run out. Federal and State regulators are enacting new environmental compliance laws.
2. Check any solvents currently being used for vapor degreasing by product name, SDS, or CAS # and verify that they will be affected.
3. What process options are available to replace these solvents to meet current EH&S concerns.
   1. Switch to a new environmentally preferred solvent.
   2. Convert to a vacuum degreasing process.
   3. Note: May require new equipment based on selection

Thoroughly review any replacement solvent being considered, including all ingredients in the product, purity/quality of the solvent, source of origin, supply availability, and any other physical properties that may impact performance and/or environmental compliance.

Why Act Now? 

Time is required to investigate options, ensure process validation, and evaluate long-term sustainability. Things to consider include:

• Compatibility with substrates and soils
• Compatibility with existing equipment
• Approvals (internal/external)
• EH&S concerns
• Production transition 
• Project true operational cost for each option considered
• If new equipment is required – capital investment – lead time

Help is available as you can contact a professional solvent process expert who can provide technical insight for the best solution to match your production requirements with a focus on EH&S areas. Most will arrange for a courtesy visit to help you plan your conversion in a timely manner to a more environmentally safe process.

Summary

Solvent vapor degreasing has a future, but that future will be different. While any future forecast is uncertain, the move to phase out specific solvents is certain and underway now. Don’t be caught waiting.

The “Cost of Failure” can be dramatic and disruptive in your operations. It is best now to “Future Proof” your options with new technology.

Joe McChesney is the Global Products Line Manager for Solvents at Kyzen Corp. He has over 40+ years of experience in solvent and aqueous cleaning processes, from conceptual design through field operation, and holds several patents on solvent applications. Visit www.kyzen.com. Main image is a typical two-chamber open-top vapor degreaser. Courtesy of Branson Precision Cleaning.