Using Smart Chemistry to Protect the Planet
More people than ever are becoming in tune with being conscious of the environment. With growing awareness, it’s harder to find balance among manufacturing costs and environmental stewardship. Many products used every day link to the chemical industry. As a key influencer, the industry faces challenges in water efficiency, safety, regulation, and price. At times, regulation of a longstanding chemistry is a necessity for health and the environment. Chemistry, after all, is a science. It evolves with new practices by reducing direct and downstream effects and protecting the ecosystem. Successful examples include lowering VOC emissions, eliminating formaldehyde use, new impact testing methods, and other replacement technology.
New testing methods allow us to look at chemistries and practices to evaluate the impact on the environment and human life. Because of this research, accepted practices improved to be less toxic while also conserving energy and water. As a nice bonus, these usually also come with significant cost savings for manufacturers. This drive for innovation will continue to expand, benefiting both manufacturing and the ecosystem.
We’ve all seen the media attention on environmental protection and the opinions on chemical usage. In response, the chemical industry went through a massive standard revision. The labeling and documentation process is now more transparent. Customers are willing to pay higher prices for products produced under responsible manufacturing practices. Likewise, they are also willing to pay a premium for products that have a longer life cycle, use less energy, and have a more eco-friendly impact on the environment. Marketing and packaging have become vital in communicating these properties to consumers. Names, region of manufacture, and even simple color schemes are playing a role (Go green!).
Here’s where the balance of common sense, responsible chemistry, and awareness come together. Let’s look at an example.
The Widget Corporation uses a chemical with two requirements: the product is the absolute cheapest “in package” product on the market and it delivers the bare minimum of performance. In other words, it’s cheap and gets the job done — not uncommon for commodities and raw materials.
Often, using the inexpensive option is a sign that it might not be the most eco-conscious or reliable. With only minimum performance, it’s a fine line between succeeding or failing. We can all recount a time we purchased something looking like a deal only to realize it had recalls, safety issues, broke fast, faded color, or worse.
In contrast, you can see profits by using an expensive chemistry with better strength, purity, technical, or environmental advantage. It is possible to receive more ROI, validating the original higher material cost. Many times a higher quality product will bring the following benefits:
Less is More
Being able to formulate the product at a lower dosage equates to: less ordering, less office work, less shipping, less fuel for shipping, lower freight costs, less wear and tear on infrastructure, less inventory needed, less storage room consumed, improved end testing results with less return of failed goods, better brand recognition and in liquid chemistry, not paying to ship water. Convinced?
Fewer Extra Additives
A stronger, pure chemical product requires minimal (if any) additives to reach desired performance. Extra additives add to the product’s end toxicity levels in emissions or need extra restrictive labeling. Not to mention, potential higher costs. The old saying stands true, you get what you pay for, even in the commodity chemical market.
Process Efficiencies
The purity of a product can sometimes alter the applied formula for the run and process times to shorten. This saves time, labor, equipment wear, and energy in the manufacturing process.
Common sense. At times, the use of a better chemistry may not be workable due to process limitations or available technology. This can also hold true if the end cost is higher than the market. Even in this case, often it is still advantageous to make accommodations. In turn, these best practices simultaneously affect the environment for the better. A win-win for both science and the planet.
The Widget Company is plugging along, churning out their product until the day comes where they pay the price for running their “me too” product. Has this company tried to innovate their products for tomorrow’s consumer and today’s competition? Have they thought outside of the box to be flexible enough to react to tomorrow’s new problems? What do they do to stay ahead of environmental concerns, energy and water consumption, and internal and external production cost variables?
If the Widget Company buys quality products close to home, they lessen their long-term eco-footprint. Plus, they improve their bottom line, product performance, market position, and brand.
Since the beginning, alchemy serves as an evolving science. Given the massive influence of the information and technology age, this progression increased at record speeds in the last 30 years. Substandard products in manufacturing produce substandard products. At times, it is united with negative hidden affects and costs. Using smart chemistry will not only help internal manufacturing efficiencies, but also promote a healthy environment.
Want to upgrade to purer products? Our technical support staff can help you match performance to increase your efficiencies.
About the Author: Jerry Fitzpatrick
