SystemK4 open day

Alex Reid shows cleaners the advantages of SystemK4

1 November 2011



Cleaners from the UK attended a series of open days showcasing Kreussler’s SystemK4 cleaning process at the central processing unit in Rugby. Tony Vince reports


Alex Reid, the UK supplier of laundry and drycleaning products and equipment, hosted two open days where drycleaners could learn more about the workings and benefits of the SystemK4 alternative cleaning process.

The cleaners saw live demonstrations of SystemK4, using Firbimatic’s Advance Green 40 machine, and were able to ask questions about the innovative system. They were also allowed to bring items to be cleaned in the process.

Leading German-based chemical manufacturer Kreussler supplies Alex Reid, on an exclusive basis for the UK, with its wide range of cleaning detergents for all solvent types. The range now includes the SystemK4, which comprises the solvent and associated products.

This summer Alex Reid has been carrying out trials of Kreussler’s SystemK4 at the Johnson Cleaners’ Central Processing Unit in Rugby.

Central to SystemK4 is SolvonK4, an acetal-based solvent that is described as halogen-free, environmentally-friendly and absolutely safe.

Several drycleaners took time out of their busy schedules to see just how the non-toxic cleaning system measured up – particularly at cleaning clothes.

Amongst those who attended were two from the south of England. Pressing Needs was founded in 1989 and its main Park Gate unit at Southampton now provides wetcleaning, drycleaning, ironing and laundry services under one roof. Its specialist services include wedding dresses and manager Nickie Jenvey said that the company wanted to find out how well SolvonK4 could handle delicates and heavily embroidered garments.

Solent Cleaners is a member of the TSA and the Guild of Cleaners and Launderers. This family-owned and operated drycleaning and laundry specialist has retail outlets throughout the south. Director Paul Durham said he and his brother wanted to learn more about the alternatives that are now coming onto the market.

Although perc remains the most widely used solvent in the UK, pressure worldwide on its use is increasing. The development of SystemK4 is claimed to provide a good alternative to perc as its cleaning power is similar.

Even though there is no regulatory pressure on UK cleaners to switch, the Alex Reid open days showed that SystemK4 is generating a great deal of interest from UK cleaners.

Chris Lambourne, capital sales director at Alex Reid, who introduced each of the open days, told LCN that the visitors were keen to know more about SystemK4’s cleaning potential – and its cost.

According to Lambourne, the present cost of SolvonK4 is higher than that of perc. It is priced at £5.50/litre against the present cost for perc solvent of £4.20/litre full price or £3.50/litre discounted.

However, Lambourne was quick to point out that one of the benefits of the system was the potential savings in distillation and drying costs.

During the open day question and answer sessions, several visitors queried the claims made about SolvonK4’s biodegradability.

Unlike perc or hydrocarbons, SolvonK4 – or to use its full name, dibutoxymethane – is said to be completely biodegradable.

Marcel Vork, technical adviser with Kreussler, who helped to field questions, started his replies by saying that SolvonK4 won’t break down under normal circumstances. It is categorised as unregulated and is not classified as a hazardous air pollutant. More importantly, SolvonK4 is not bioaccumulative.

Vork then explained that tests showed that after eight hours of atmospheric exposure, the solvent biodegrades into two water-soluble compounds to leave only minimal traces (3parts per million of solvent).

He said that thorough testing has shown that the solvent can clean as well as perc without the use of harmful chemicals.

The testing phase was successfully performed by four drycleaning plants around the world before Kreussler introduced its SystemK4 at Expo Detergo 2010 in Milan last October.

Vork said that the system is currently in use in approximately 60 machines in the USA and more than 100 worldwide.

SystemK4 comprises four main products: SolvonK4, ClipK4, PrenettK4 and VinoyK4. Kreussler’s ClipK4 is a highly concentrated drycleaning detergent; PrenettK4 is a brushing agent that removes soil and VinoyK4 is a water- and stain-repellent that preserves solvent purity. At present, the solvent is available for purchase in the UK through Alex Reid, together with dedicated machinery from the FMB Group’s Firbimatic brand.

At the Rugby CPU, Johnsons operates a Firbimatic EcoGreen Advance 40. The EcoGreen Advance series has several features for use with SolvonK4.

Alex Reid’s chemicals support manager Steve Tolley explained how the machine has been put though its paces over the last two months. After some fine tuning, the machine is currently capable of achieving a solvent mileage in excess of 130kg/litre.

He told LCN that having only spent a short time working with the SystemK4, he soon realised that this was a kind of solvent not seen before and that it had many benefits for the drycleaner. “I am very impressed with the cleaning capabilities of SolvonK4 as well as the flexibility and mileage of this solvent,” he said.

Tolley explained that many alternative solvents to perc have a very low KB value, which means that more pre-treatment is needed before cleaning. However, SolvonK4 has a KB value much closer to that of perc and is able to dissolve and absorb lipophilic soil (fats, greases and oil) and also hydrophilic (water-soluble) soiling.

The solvent responds extremely well to water, he said. “The cleaning time is a little bit longer. We’ve got it down to about 65minutes, depending on the load. We had to do some modifications because it was initially difficult to dry.” The solvent does not leave an odour on garments that are properly processed and it is extremely stable with a flashpoint of 62C (hydrocarbons have a flashpoint of 58 – 64C and cyclosiloxane D5 of 77C).

In Tolley’s opinion, SolvonK4 shows good stain removal, almost on the same level as perc. When used under test conditions, he noted that there were no concerns with greying, shrinkage or pilling. However, the handle and drape were slightly better than with clothes cleaned in perc because of the nature of SolvonK4. He added that drycleaners had also commented that colours and pastels were brighter when processed with SystemK4.

Tolley said that the system has been used with great success on a variety of garments such as wedding gowns, leathers, fur, couture gowns, sweaters, jackets and everyday items.

Johnson’s restoration business, JRS, relocated to the Central Processing Unit in Rugby last year and Tolley said that the system had enjoyed success in tackling some of the restoration work. “It is safe on both natural and synthetic fibres and on most beads, sequins, buttons and trims.”

He said that because the overall process time is closer to that of perc, there is less fibre abrasion. He added: “The garments have a very good feel and drape with less creasing.”

Tolley invited visitors to examine the finished garments and verify that they felt soft, that there was no static and that they were free of odour.

Firbimatic produces two ranges of alternative solvent machines. The Eco Green Advance range covers 15, 18, 25 and 40kg sizes and can be used with SolvonK4 as well as with GreenEarth (cyclosiloxane D5) and hydrocarbon.

Eco Green machines are for use only with GreenEarth or hydrocarbon and cover 15 – 25kg in wide or slimline versions plus a 40kg wide format model.

All Firbimatic machines supplied by Alex Reid are fully SED compliant and come with a full parts and labour guarantee backed by specialist engineering support.




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