The lower the temperature, the higher the impact

The cost of energy is one of the greatest immediate challenges facing the manufacturing sector. According to the World Bank, in 2022 energy prices surged 60 percent, with 2023 projections showing an 11 percent decline. However, despite this, energy prices will still be 75 percent above the past five-year average.  

Innovations that reduce the energy used in the manufacturing process are good for business and good for the planet. Many of Henkel's customers are sharing in the drive to reduce their carbon footprint as part of their sustainability goals, with canmakers putting sustainability at the top of their agenda.

In this blog, I focus on the potential to reduce the energy used in making cans, delivering lower costs and greater sustainability, and the role that Henkel is playing as a global market leader in delivering innovative solutions.

In previous blogs, I covered how aluminium is a great material for sustainable packaging because it is infinitely recyclable and recycled aluminium requires 95% less energy than new aluminium.

There are plenty of opportunities to save more energy throughout the production process. Each stage in can production uses energy, materials and machinery, and increasing the efficiency of any of these delivers a more cost-effective, environmentally sustainable outcome. 

Materials play a major role in this, from lubricants and surface treatments, to sealants. Innovative products can enable efficiency in the production process and reduce consumption of valuable resources like natural gas and water. 

Available globally in mid-2023, Henkel's innovative BONDERITE C-IC 72000 series cleaners for aluminium beverage cans clean at a lower bath temperature, consuming less energy and creating a smaller CO2 footprint. Unlike traditional cleaners, this low temperature cleaner operates at around 110°F (43°C), versus 140°F (60°C), enabling a significant reduction in natural gas used to heat the cleaning stages of the washer.

The BONDERITE C-IC 72000 series portfolio of cleaners includes traditional fluoride-free to single pack cleaners, with fluoride levels ranging from low to medium to high to meet customer requirements. Additionally, the products are formulated to produce less foam at the lower operating temperature. Therefore, there is less drag-out in rinses, enabling optimisation of water usage at the rinse stages. There is less evaporative loss at the lower temperature as well.  Furthermore, the lower operating temperature may help reduce maintenance costs by creating a less corrosive environment with less wear and tear.            

BONDERITE C-IC 72000 Series Features and Benefits

1. Operating temperature reduced from 140°F (60°C) to 110° (43°C)

• Less natural gas usage and lower CO2 emissions
• Safer work environment
• Less evaporative loss
• Less wear and tear

2. Reduced foam compared to conventional cleaners

• Reduced foam carry-over 
• Optimised water usage 

3. Global availability

• Local formulations will be available in all regions throughout 2023