In Part 2 of this montage of the cleaning industry, our experts discuss trends in cleaning processes and factors in cleaning agent selection. They then venture a look into the future.

In Part 1, our twelve experts, all experienced providers of cleaning agents and/or cleaning equipment provided their insight and opinions. They discussed cleaning agents for critical and general product cleaning processes, the growth of bio-based cleaners, and trends in cleaning agents. Their comments confirm that, in many instances, aqueous versus solvent cleaning is a cut and dried choice. There is certainly no overwhelming trend; critical cleaning is a series of niche markets.

Taking a vote regarding cleaning methods, trends, and the future of cleaning, even among twelve people who are experienced in the field, is likely to be of limited value to those involved in actually producing product. You will find greater value in the rationale of their responses, as those answers relate to the individual vantage point of each expert. Hopefully, their answers will prompt discussions of options within your company —options that provide the appropriate product cleanliness and surface quality for your application, options that increase your productivity, enhance employee safety, and contribute to overall sustainability.

Do you see changes (growth, decline) in particular cleaning processes?
Point-of Use, Benchtop, and Cell Cleaning versus Centralized Systems
For aqueous cleaning, Art Cerboni, CEO of Global Cleaning Technologies in Riverside, CA, sees increased interest in automated, continuous-flow systems in a cell configuration as opposed to larger, central batch systems; this is part of the move to lean manufacturing. On the solvents side, David Hesselroth, Product Development Specialist, 3M Corporation, Maplewood, MN, also comments that cell manufacturing “makes a lot of sense for many customers. Instead of having the employee walk across the plant, the person stays in one area.” Hesselroth also sees an increase in point of use cleaning, including aerosols, particularly where the point of use cleaner has also been qualified for the primary, large-scale cleaning operation.

“I think the cell mentality has slowed, or maybe it has saturated,” counters Ed Lamm, Worldwide Technology Manager for Precision Cleaning, Branson Ultrasonics, Division of Emerson in Danbury, CT. Lamm notes that between 2000 and 2005, the demand for cell cleaning grew. “It is now about 50/50 cell cleaning versus a centralized cleaning department. However, in the last two years, switching to a cell configuration is not routine. Now, we tend to see larger cleaning systems designed to do a range of products.” Lamm adds the proviso that he is not in a position to address trends in benchtop cleaning.