Spill Control Solutions for Manufacturing

Manufacturing covers a diverse range of location types, premise sizes, activities and materials. However, most manufacturing processes involve some sort of fluid at some point in the process.

What type of absorbent is best suited for manufacturing?

Because of the diverse range of fluids involved in manufacturing there are a number of different options.

White coloured Oil Only absorbents are hydrophobic. They absorb oil-based fluids but repel water-based fluids.

Grey/black Maintenance absorbents are hydrophilic and absorb both water-based fluids along with oil-based fluids at the same time.

Yellow Chemical absorbents are also hydrophilic and will absorb both oil- and water-based fluids at the same time. The yellow colour of these absorbents indicates that they should be used for recovering aggressive fluids such as acids and alkalis and once used should be treated and disposed of with extreme caution.

In most instances a maintenance grey/black absorbent will be the optimum choice for manufacturers. All the of the above formats are made from meltblown polypropylene. They are inert and will not react with chemicals and they are flame retardant (they will however burn if incinerated).

Environmentally friendly options

As an alternative to the above we offer a range of environmentally friendlier absorbents. These are either made from recycled meltblown polypropylene or are made from cellulose natural fibres. These environmentally friendly absorbents can be included towards achieving an ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard.

Natural fibre absorbents are in some cases more absorbent or better suited to a specific task (absorbing anti-freeze for instance). However, choosing an environmentally friendly absorbent needs to be considered carefully as a used absorbent will need to be disposed of exactly the same as a meltblown polypropylene absorbent will be.

What absorbent formats are best suited to manufacturing?

Pads are available in different weights (light- through to -heavy weights) and also in un-bonded, bonded and laminated constructions. As a guide, the heavier the weight the more fluid the pad will absorb. With regards to the construction, laminated pads are stronger and feature less linting (stray fibres becoming detached), bonded pads are slightly more absorbent, and un-bonded pads the most absorbent but not as strong. For wiping, rubbing or packing we generally recommend a medium single laminate maintenance pad. All but the un-bonded pads feature perforations so that just the correct amount of absorbent can be selected.

Rolls are exactly the same as pads but instead are formed of longer lengths of absorbent which are then rolled up. Rolls of absorbent are ideal for placing at the side of machinery to collect spilled or leaked fluids. We recommend a single laminate absorbent with the meltblown core face down. This maximises the absorption of fluids whilst reducing the slip risk. Ask us for our recommendations for your manufacturing process.

Socks and pillows are used to collect spills or leaks from machinery. Socks are used to contain the fluid by providing a barrier whilst also absorbing the liquid. Pillows are for capturing leaks or spills under machinery that are too big for a pad.

Drum tops are placed inside the top rim of a standard 210 litres (55 gallon) drum. They feature apertures for both pouring and breather holes.

Spill-Depot is a modular range of absorbent dispensers. They keep the absorbent in pristine condition and close at hand. They can be replenished at regular intervals to ensure absorbents are always available and ready for use.

Spill Kits - protecting the workforce and businesses

To keep the workforce safe from slips, trips or injuries it is important to have enough absorbent available to recover spills. In most cases a spill kit provides what is required in a container.

Portable spill kits can be taken to the spill location or stored on-board a vehicle or craft.

Static spill kits can be located where there is known a risk of a spill occurring.

Wheeled spill kits allow a large quantity of absorbents to be quickly moved to the site of a spill.

Specialist spill kits are designed with specific fluids in mind. We supply spill kits to recover mercury, bodily fluids and other unique applications. For more information about these ask us for details.

Spill prevention equipment

To keep fluids containers safely stored, we have an extensive range of containment and storage units. These provide secure, robust solutions for a wide varied range of containers.

Workfloors are modular units with an integral sump built in. The sump catches any spilled fluids and can be drained off or recovered. Available in a range of sizes and with access ramps, they provide a flexible and reliable solution for manufacturing.

Spill Pallets are designed to store fluid contains such as oil drums. They also feature regulation compliant sump capacities to capture any spilled fluids. Available in a wide range of sizes and for different containers they are a regular feature in many manufacturing facilities. There are weathertight options too, which prevent rainwater filling the sump if stored outside.

Transporter units allow drums and containers to be transported around a site safely. They feature a regulation compliant built in additional fluid barrier capacity to prevent spilled fluids from reaching and polluting the environment.

Storage

We have a wide range of storage cupboards in metal and plastic. Available in different sizes and shapes, ask us for more details to suit specific requirements.