OIL CLEANING BIO-PRODUCTS LTD.
PRESS RELEASE
BAKER REFRACTORIES REMOVE SOLVENT PROBLEM WITH HEGOL BIODEGRADABLE CLEANSER
December 1997
Baker Refractories, one the world's major manufacturers of refractory products, found a solution to the problem of needing to use solvents for cleaning by turning to Oil Cleaning Bio-Products for help. In the past, the company had used a variety of different cleaning agents, all with the chemical hazards associated with solvents, for the cleaning of six large scale hydraulic presses. OCBP's new biodegradable cleanser Hegol has changed all that, increasing the safety, simplicity and efficiency of the cleaning operation and at the same time decreasing the financial cost.
Commenting on the change, Total Preventative Maintenance ("TPM") Process Co-ordinator Mr. Paul Rafferty said: "We have a TPM programme in place at the works. A major part of that programme involves cleaning the oily grime generated by our process which inevitably builds up on the metal surfaces of the large presses." Mr. Rafferty continued: "These presses are cleaned on a regular basis. We had been using solvent or caustic materials, even paraffin, for our cleaning routines. The use of these products automatically required the operators to wear cumbersome and restrictive personal protective equipment ("PPE"), in addition to problems of the disposal of the cleaning residue. All that has changed. With Hegol we get excellent cleaning results without the need for PPE. The operation is simpler, more efficient and most importantly, without any of the risks posed by chemical hazards. We also don't have the same problem of waste disposal as the cleaning residue is biodegradable."
Richard Genochio, Managing Director of OCBP Ltd., added: "We are delighted but not surprised that Hegol is able to make such a positive contribution to workplace practices at Baker Refractories. In recommending solutions, we try to look at every related aspect of our customers' processes. It is not just a question of clean machines. Baker Refractories, quite rightly, considered the increased safety of employees, reduced environmental impacts, efficiency gains and the relative costs when making the change to Hegol." Mr. Genochio added: "This case illustrates how better environmental, health and safety practices actually save money and boost competitiveness. Too many companies still regard these matters as costly "extra burdens". It is the more enlightened approach of companies such as Baker Refractories which underlies the "Clean Works, Better Business" partnerships OCBP offers to customers."
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1) Baker Refractories is the wholly-owned subsidiary of the J.E. Baker Company of York, Pennsylvania, USA. Baker employs more than 1000 people world-wide of whom 400 are at its plant near Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Baker is engaged in the manufacture of refractory bricks.2) For further information about Baker Refractories, contact Richard Richmond, Marketing Manager, Steetley Works, Steetley, Worksop, Notts. S80 3EA , tel. 01909 535 300.
3) The "Heg" products include: Hegol (biodegradable surfactants with natural oil-degrading bacteria, used for vehicle washing, oily machinery, oil-stained workshop floors and other hard or metallic surfaces); Hegfloor (low dust, non-abrasive non-leaching biodegradable plant-based absorbent, used for oil spills on floors, roads or concrete as a superior but economical alternative to granular clay, polypropylene, sawdust and sand); Hegsolv (quick-splitting biodegradable surfactants with rust inhibitor and natural oil-degrading bacteria, used for heavy duty cleansing, parts washing and degreasing); Hegrem (oil-encapsulating absorbent made from biodegradable plant fibres with oil-degrading bacteria, used for bioremediation of contaminated land and of oily sludges and wastes); Hegsorb (biodegradable hydrophobic/oleophilic absorbent used for spills on water and as a filter to separate oil and water in oily effluents); Hegacid (for the absorption, stabilisation and part-neutralisation of spilled concentrated acids); Hegseal (pliable clay with polymer for the sealing of leaking or punctured drums, tanks and pipework - easy for drivers to carry in road tankers for temporary emergency use to stop leakage from tanks etc. on customers' premises); Hegtrap (biodegradable surfactants with oil-degrading bacteria for the digestion of grease, fats and human waste in grease traps and drains); and a variety of biodegradable absorbent booms, pads, socks and pillows. These, together with Hegfloor, will be of particular interest to tanker owners and drivers as superior components of the on-board emergency spill kits which they are legally obliged to carry. Subject to minimum requirements, SOC will be able to supply kits made up to meet individual preferences. (Just 4 lbs. of Hegfloor will absorb and retain up to almost 8 litres of spilled oil, depending on type).
4) Oil Cleaning Bio-Products Ltd. is the sole and world-wide supplier of the "Heg" range of products. OCBP is a member of The UK Environmental Industries Commission. For further information about the "Heg" products or about a "Clean Works, Better Business" Partnership, contact Oil Cleaning Bio-Products Ltd., PO Box 46, Royston, Herts. SG8 9PD, tel. 01763 287 749.