A position on the future use of trichloroethylene from SAFECHEM Europe GmbH, a  subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company Owing to its unique properties it comes as no surprise that trichloroethylene is widely recognized within the industry as one of the most efficient solvents for high precision surface cleaning and degreasing. Its distinct efficiency in comparison to alternative processes along with its wide range of approvals within the aerospace industry still makes trichloroethylene the solvent of choice from a manufacturing viewpoint. Leading aircraft producers who once switched to alternatives are taking in consideration to return to the use of trichloroethylene for metal cleaning applications. They can quite imagine that precision cleaning could be an essential element for the safety of an aircraft. In some applications trichloroethylene is still indispensable and substitution is not possible if it is essential to maintain the same high level of cleaning. Where substitution is possible SAFECHEM offers a wide range of viable cleaning mediums like DOWPER perchloroethylene or DOWCLENE modified alcohols.
A number of European regulations controlling its use combined with confusing messages in the market often related to the promotion of alternatives can cast doubts on the future use of trichloroethylene in metal cleaning applications. In 2002 trichloroethylene was reclassified as Carcinogen Cat. 2 with label R45, and strict control measures need to be in place to protect workers and the environment. However, in order to comply with these regulations and employ the best health, safety and environmental practices, the question which needs to be answered, remains when and under which conditions can trichloroethylene continue to be used.

Trichloroethylene and REACH
European producers and importers must register trichloroethylene under REACH. A consortium has been established through REAChCentrum and under the leadership of Dow, the world’s largest producer of trichloroethylene. Trichloroethylene has been extensively evaluated under the EU Existing Chemicals Regulation (93/393 EC). The conclusion of the EU Risk Assessment is that trichloroethylene is generally considered to be sufficiently regulated. Further risk reduction measurements will help our preparations for the implementation of REACH and should position us favourably to get authorisation for the continued use of trichloroethylene through adequate risk management.

Measures to ensure the sustainable use in future
Dow and SAFECHEM have already adopted a number of measures. This includes active risk management such as the supply and use of chlorinated solvents in the SAFE-TAINER™ system. It is accompanied by coordinated service elements and special laboratory analyses to prolong the lifetime of the solvent in cleaning equipment and to prevent premature bath exchange, which carries a certain risk. We place great importance on advising and training customers the entire time they are using the solvent to optimise their processes.

To help to ensure that trichloroethylene users continue to benefit from the outstanding cleaning results achieved by trichloroethylene, we have developed what we call ‘The Trichloroethylene Sustainability Programme´. This programme is aimed at making the use of trichloroethylene safe for the environment and mankind and at the same time retaining economic efficiency. Under this umbrella we will undertake the following measures according to the principles of Responsible Care® and the Product Stewardship Guidelines:

Trichloroethylene Voluntary Industry Commitment
The producers of trichloroethylene, including Dow/SAFECHEM, have agreed on the voluntary industry commitment. From 1 January 2011, independent of the quantity thresholds stipulated in the VOC guidelines, only those customers who use the solvent in enclosed cleaning machines (European Standard EN1294-4) will be supplied with trichloroethylene. The Trichloroethylene Voluntary Industry Commitment is supported by the European Commission.

CHEMAWARE Sharing Knowledge
Together with our distributor network and our network of leading manufacturers of high quality cleaning machines, we have established the information platform CHEMAWARE to provide solvent users with information about a safe and high quality cleaning process in full compliance with legislation. All informative documents on the SAFECHEM “Trichloroethylene Sustainability Programme” will be available on the CHEMAWARE webpage (www.chemaware.org).

Trichloroethylene Drum Phase Out
All Dow/SAFECHEM distribution partners have committed themselves to exclusively supply Dow trichloroethylene grades (NEU-TRI E and HI-TRI SMG) in the SAFE-TAINER system and therefore no longer in drums, as of 01 April, 2009. Customers have been informed accordingly and the volume of trichloroethylene drums in the market is decreasing considerably. You can find a list of qualified responsible distributors in the contact section on www.safechem-europe.com.

Trichloroethylene Waste Take-back
The SAFE-TAINER system is SAFECHEM’s cradle to cradle solution, which includes the supply of fresh solvent and the take-back of waste material in a safety system as well as SAFECHEM original accessories and service elements. To assure that the customer is served with the best available technology and to contribute to the sustainability of trichloroethylene, we have increased our efforts to supply our customers with both the SAFE-TAINER system for fresh and for waste material. This is an important part of distributing trichloroethylene according to the pronciples of Responsible Care.

Solvent Training
To provide the best possible support for the use of trichloroethylene in the SAFE-TAINER system we will conduct a solvent training at all customer sites, which have chosen to use trichloroethylene long-term. Furthermore, a mandatory solvent training will be implemented for all customers who purchase new equipment. With these trainings, we want to pass on the technical and chemical know-how of our specialists to provide the utmost support to existing and new customers and making them aware of EH&S Product Stewardship requirements.

More information is available via www.chemaware.org or www.safechem-europe.com (see links below)

In applications where trichloroethylene is essential to meet quality and safety standards, trichloroethylene can continue to be used provided appropriate control measures are in place for compliance with applicable regulations purposes. It is strongly recommended that trichloroethylene is used in hermetically sealed equipment and in a closed-loop safety system for handling the solvent, including delivery, transfer and take-back. It is recognized that consultancy and training from solvent experts, continuous solvent monitoring and stabilization extend the life time of the solvent and contribute to the proper risk management of trichloroethylene.

• www.safechem-europe.com
• www.chemaware.org