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 show 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 are 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.

Saving Energy Throughout the Can Production Process 

In previous blogs, I covered how aluminum is a great material for sustainable packaging because it is infinitely recyclable and recycled aluminum requires 95% less energy than new aluminum.  (source: Sustainability – Recycling | Aluminum Association).

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 coatings and sealants. Innovative products can enable efficiency in the production process and reduce consumption of valuable resources like natural gas and water.   

First Low Temperature Cleaners Help Deliver More Efficient, Sustainable Can Production

Available globally in mid-2023, Henkel’s innovative BONDERITE C-IC 72000 series cleaners for aluminum 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 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, include traditional fluoride-free to single pack cleaners with ranging fluoride levels from low, 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 optimization of water usage in the rinse stages. There is less evaporative losses 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

• 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 losses
  • Less wear and tear
• Reduced Foam compared to conventional cleaners
  • Reduce foam carry-over 
  • Optimize water usage 
• Global availability
  • Local formulations will be available in all regions throughout 2023

For complete product details, please visit the BONDERITE C-IC 72000 series webpage. 

What's Next

Henkel is committed to innovation and rethinking how to promote sustainable manufacturing through new product introductions. We are continually evolving our range of  lubricants, cleaners, surface treatments, and sealants to offer solutions that increase efficiency, reduce production costs, use less resources, and deliver greater sustainability.

To learn more about introducing energy efficiency in your metal packaging operations, and how Henkel solutions can help make it happen, please visit us at Henkel Metal Packaging.