Considerations When Packaging Cleaners and Chemicals

There are a wide variety of cleaners and chemicals on the market today. Different cleaners are available specifically for windows, clothing, disinfecting and sanitizing, not to mention the popular all-purpose cleaners. Many cleaners will also contain chemicals, but many chemicals themselves must also be packaged, including hazardous and corrosive liquids. Chlorine may be used in bleach but also packaged as its own product. Hydrochloric Acid is used to process steel and many other products. While some cleaners or chemicals may not require unique solutions or considerations when it comes to packaging machinery, many of these liquid products will have special needs.

Rinsing Machinery

Removing dust, debris and contaminants from a bottle before the introduction of product is the general goal of bottle rinsing machinery. For certain products, especially products that are ingested or made to be consumed, these machines are crucial in avoiding contamination of the product before it reaches the consumer. In the cleaners and chemicals industry, rinsing machinery may be seen on a packaging line for a similar reason. Although the end user may not consume the cleaner or chemical, the effectiveness of the product may be diluted if an excessive amount of dust or other debris mixes with the product. Such debris may stem from material left over from bottle manufacturing or it may accrue during shipping prep, the shipping itself or even the storage of the containers. Packagers of cleaners or chemicals may use an air rinse to remove such debris, or they may even rinse with product if so desired. In other cases, if debris collects prior to the fill, the rinse may also be done simply for aesthetic purposes, to rinse the bottles clean before preparing them for the shelf.

Filling Machinery

For some cleaners, and even some chemicals, standard stainless-steel filling machinery will work just fine. However, for harsh chemicals and products, such as acids and bleaches, the stainless material may not be the best option, as the products can corrode the machinery, shortening the useful life of the equipment. In these cases, filling machinery may be manufactured using an HDPE material that can better handle drips, spills and the general exposure to chemicals and fumes. Hazardous materials may also require pneumatic machinery, intrinsically safe components or remote controls. These modifications or additions to filling machinery will be made on a case-by-case basis depending on the product or products run by the packager.

Capping Machinery

In most cases, capping machinery will not require modification from the standard specifications. However, where not just chemicals, but also the fumes from the chemicals can be hazardous, capping machinery may be combined with a type of ventilation system for the safety of the machinery and the operators. Otherwise, the capping machinery for cleaners and chemicals, like any other product, will be built based on the type of cap being used for any given project.

Cleaners and chemicals will use a variety of different machines - and even materials - to rinse, fill and cap product and prepare them for the end user. To ensure that the packaging process remains efficient as well as safe, Liquid Packaging Solutions will always analyze each cleaner or chemical project on a case-by-case basis, finding the best solution for the unique needs of each packager.