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Ecolab’s Technical Team Saves Cosmetic Company Nearly €750k Annually After Introducing Ecolab Maxi Detergent
Application: Soaking (mixers, tanks)
Segment: Personal Care (makeup)
Challenge: Identification of a solvents alternative (hard-to-clean waterproof mascaras and pigmented makeup)
Recommended Product: Maxi
Situation
A contract manufacturer and a market leader in the production of mascara located in Italy was having difficulty in removing waterproof mascara and pigmented makeup from its mixing equipment. The company, specialising in the manufacture of colour cosmetics, required an alternative solution to its current use of solvents.
They were experiencing safety concerns related to flammability risks, as well as operators using large amounts of solvents manually with limited protection from the company’s current PPE protocols. Additionally, production volumes increased suddenly as the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying restrictions began to wane. The client experienced an urgent need to reduce downtime while increasing production capacity, an effort stymied by their current protocols. A more effective solution was needed.
Solution
After an initial contact with Ecolab, a site survey was performed to determine worst case cleaning scenarios, review existing cleaning procedures, assess machines used in the process, and the wastewater system. From this review, Ecolab discovered that the previous cleaning solution comprised mainly solvents (isododecane) and inhouse raw materials (myristate). Five samples of the most difficult to clean products were then tested and recommendations introduced for best cleaning procedures.
After an on-site visit by Ecolab to assist adapting and scaling up the recommended cleaning procedures, the client implemented Ecolab’s Maxi, an alkaline detergent designed for soaking and foaming applications in personal care and cosmetics processing. Maxi is ideal for the water-based removal of fatty, waterproof pigmented soils in mixers not designed for CIP cleaning.
All efforts were reviewed with the QA manager to evaluate necessary supporting documentation and establish a strategy of cleaning validation to evaluate final residues of detergents.
Results
Ecolab’s solution created an optimal cleaning performance, enhanced operator safety, decreased downtime, allowed for an increase of production time, and reduced the impact on additional downstream processes (waste disposal).
The client estimates these changes have led to impressive savings (detailed right). The customer is now partnering with Ecolab’s technical team to introduce a new CIP system to further optimize water and energy consumption.
Ecolab MAXI
Liquid alkaline detergent with high surfactant content for soaking and foaming applications:
- Versatile: Suitable for use in older equipment; designed for CIP systems as well as for cleaning surfaces.
- Effective: High surfactant content makes Maxi ideal as a standalone detergent for the removal of organic and pigment containing products such as mascaras, lipsticks, foundations, sunscreens, and more.
How Ecolab Adds Value:
Site Surveys
Ecolab offers site-surveys from a trained technical team to review new or existing manufacturing and cleaning process.
VALUE+
- Technical recommendations are matched to your most relevant objectives and key performance indicators (safety, water savings, efficiency, etc.)
- Formal report summarises potential savings
- Delivers implementation strategy that minimises production disruptions
Technical Visits and Best Practice Insights
Ecolab’s technical team can visit your site to discuss and troubleshoot specific issues that may be of concern to your facility.
VALUE+
- Cleaning and contamination issues
- Environmental excursions
- New equipment introduction
- Optimization based on economic and environmental targets
Contamination Control Strategies (CCS)
Ecolab’s highly experienced GTC team of microbiologists support customers in building a robust CCS for cleaning, disinfection and decontamination.
VALUE+
- Helps develop strategies and regimes to mitigate any identified risks
- Provides supporting documentation and validation information as required
Validation Assistance
Ecolab can assist with the complex validation process and change controls by providing guidance and documentation.
VALUE+
- Advising and coordinating with accredited contract testing laboratories
- Reviewing draft protocols and results
- Consulting with you on rationale for regulatory approvals
- Providing a comprehensive validation package against cleanroom surfaces and microflora
Dedicated Regulatory Team
Ecolab leverages industry expertise to deliver insights and guidance on regulatory expectations, trends and available tools to help ensure compliance for product safety and quality.
VALUE+
- Helps ensure compliance with cGMP to ensure cleaning and disinfection meet product safety and quality requirements
- Help implement validations that meet regulatory expectations
Customer Training
Ecolab’s team is comprised of experts to help you implement, manage, and maintain quality and compliance requirements and protocols.
VALUE+
- Gain valuable best-practices and implementation strategies from trained field and technical experts
- Reduce troubleshooting time from on-site support and process training to resolve problems quickly
Request a Free Consulatation
Want to see how you can find similar success in your plant? Request a free consultation to see how Ecolab Life Sciences can help reduce downtime, and increase production output by optimizing your cleaning and sanitization operations.