You may have heard the latest information from 3M® that they will exit from the manufacturing of Cleaning solvents in the near future. If you are a current 3M® cleaning solvent product user you will need to start to find 3M® alternative solvents. Find out what steps you have to take below…
What is the update from 3M®?
3M® have announced that they will stop manufacturing the Novec HFE materials by the end of 2025. Please click here to see a copy of the notice. They also have stated in a letter sent to all their customers last year that they cannot guarantee supply and that current users should be looking at alternatives as quickly as possible.
Are you a current 3M® user? If yes what does the update from 3M® mean for you?
While there are no immediate issues with supply it would be prudent to consider your options before the supply of the 3M® materials becomes an issue. Frasers can help with direct drop in alternatives to the Novec materials as well as alternative technologies such as water wash and solvent recovery systems etc.
What alternatives are available for me to switch to?
There are a few direct drop in alternatives available, but it should be noted that many of these contain HFE materials manufactured by 3M®. These can sometimes be hidden away and not openly declared so it is important to know what is in any alternative you are considering and the source of these materials. Frasers can assist with evaluating your current application and offer free advice on legal compliance and safe, available alternatives such as the Chemours Opteon™ speciality fluids which are direct drop in alternatives.
What to be aware of before you switch?
Suitability of equipment, material compatibility, product performance and legal compliance are just some of the key areas to look at here. At Frasers we can run application trials with suitable alternatives and advise on alternative chemistries and or equipment if relevant.
Don’t Just Switch from 3M® Novec, Improve Outcomes with Opteon SF80®
If you’re among those looking for a suitable replacement, consider not just switching but also improving your outcomes with Opteon™ SF80®. When evaluating cleaning solvents, solvency power is a critical factor. The Kb value, measured by ASTM D1133, is a common indicator of a solvent’s cleaning strength. Solubility Opteon™ SF80 has the highest cleaning power of any cleaning fluid in its class as measured by the Kb value (Kb value = 99). The Kb value is determined by ASTM D1133 and is a well-known measurement of solvency strength. In general, the higher the Kb value, the greater the cleaning power.
Opteon™ SF80® is a superior alternative to 3M® Novec products, offering higher solvency power and lower environmental impact. In this article, we explore the benefits of Opteon SF80®, compare its performance with 3M® Novec products, and outline key considerations when making the switch.
Opteon™ SF80 is a safe, non-flammable, and environmentally friendly solvent with low global warming potential (GWP)(<2.5) does not contain any fluorinated greenhouse gases (as listed in Annex 1 of the EU regulations 517/2014), which are all highly desirable in industrial cleaning applications like vapor degreasing.
What is the Global Warming Potential of SF80®?
SF80® has a GWP of less than 2.5 meaning it has an exceptionally low GWP of any fluorinated solvent on the market today by a significant margin.
What does Global Warming Potential mean?
Global-warming potential (GWP) is a relative measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere. It compares the amount of heat trapped by a certain mass of the gas in question to the amount of heat trapped by a similar mass of carbon dioxide. A GWP is calculated over a specific time interval, commonly 20, 100 or 500 years. GWP is expressed as a factor of carbon dioxide (whose GWP is standardized to 1). For example, the 20 year GWP of methane is 72, which means that if the same mass of methane and carbon dioxide were introduced into the atmosphere, that methane will trap 72 times more heat than the carbon dioxide over the next 20 years.
Is SF80® affected by F-gas regulations?
SF80® contains no materials regulated under the F-Gas regulations.
Is SF80® affected by the Solvent Emissions Directive?
SF80® is an R20 based solvent and as such the SED does apply however the SED threshold limit for SF80® is 2 metric tons.
What shall I do now?
Try Before You Buy: Experience the benefits of Opteon™ SF80® through our trial program.
Full Process Evaluation Trials: We’ll help you optimise your cleaning processes with comprehensive evaluations.
On-Site Chemical Changeover Support: Our team provides on-site assistance to ensure a smooth transition.
Process Optimisation: We guide you through every step, from chemical changeover to process refinement.
We will assist you in considering alternates that could improve outcomes, whether cleaning or environmental, and how we can support your transition and enhance your cleaning processes.
We are currently offering free 3M® switch reviews for any customers who are wanting some advice on when they should make their switch and how the process would work for them as remember every application is different. Contact us today by visiting www.frasertech.co.uk to get this in your diary.
