Sustainable innovations for cleaning metal parts are now enabling Rittal to cut energy consumption in its metal pretreatment processes by 60 percent – by achieving excellent performance at just 40 degrees Celsius instead of 60 degrees Celsius.
Rittal is a German manufacturer of enclosures and cabinets for electronic systems, climate control, power distribution and a huge range of other applications. Its products are used in over 90 percent of industries worldwide – and the company’s reputation is shaped by its constant efforts to keep improving its production processes, boosting quality and minimizing its environmental footprint.
Henkel is a valued partner on that never-ending journey. The two companies have a long and trust-based relationship that has achieved big progress for Rittal and its customers over many years. In particular, this collaboration places a sharp focus on optimizing the process for cleaning metal parts before they are painted – but without causing downtime or installation costs for new equipment.
Standard cleaning technologies for metal parts rely on products that must be applied at 60 degrees Celsius. However, scientists at Henkel have created a solution that is applied at just 40 degrees Celsius. Representatives from Rittal joined the Henkel team to perform rigorous tests to make certain this BONDERITE solution met their high standards for safety and performance. They also visited another Henkel customer to see this low-temperature cleaner in action.
The result? Teams from the two partner companies implemented innovative and sustainable cleaning technology into Rittal’s processes together in 2022. Importantly, this transition was possible while keeping Rittal’s equipment setup unchanged. The company now uses 60 percent less energy when cleaning parts – which helps cut its environmental footprint and save money too.
Marcel Becker, Energy Manager at Rittal
This success took place at Rittal’s key production facility in Rittershausen, Germany. The site processes around 13 million square meters of metal each year. Now, the company is planning to roll out this sustainable low-temperature cleaner on a second production line at this factory in 2024. It will then introduce it at further sites across Germany and around the globe.
Henkel and Rittal share a strong focus on sustainability. Together, they have achieved measurable and significant success with this low-temperature cleaner. It’s a strong example of how Henkel lives up to its commitment to “Respect the Planet, Rethink Design & Processes.” And it’s the latest milestone on the two partner companies’ never-ending journey to keep improving processes, boosting quality and supporting sustainability together.
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