Equipment for Cleaners and Chemicals Remains Popular in 2021

Packaging machinery for the Cleaners and Chemicals Industry was popular before 2020, but the events of that strange year saw a rise in the demand for such products for obvious reasons. As everyone searched for hand sanitizer and supply was limited, some businesses actually changed their product line and assisted everyone by producing sanitizer and other in demand products during the first wave of the pandemic. Though many of those companies are back to producing their regular products, Liquid Packaging Solutions has continued to see an influx of inquiries regarding equipment for sanitizer and similar items.

Products in this industry cover a wide range of liquids, with just as wide a range of properties. Items like bleach, certain acids and harsh chemicals may require unique, corrosion resistant solutions. Others may not require special construction but the machinery used to rinse, fill, cap and otherwise prepare the products will vary in configuration. Below we look at some common machinery found in the Cleaners and Chemicals Industry.

Rinsing Machinery

Rinsing equipment for cleaners and chemicals can be used to ensure the product does not become contaminated during the packaging process. For the same reason, air rinsing machinery is popular in the industry to ensure there is no cross-contamination with the products using a water or other liquid based rinse. Air rinsers either invert bottles and blast the inside to remove debris or use a special vacuum nozzle to do the same. Rinsing equipment may not be present in every project in the industry, but different solutions are available when the rinse is needed or desired.

Filling Equipment

The viscosity of cleaning products and chemicals can range from thin, water-like consistency to thicker products and even products with grit or particles. This range in viscosity and consistency means many different filling machines will be used in the Cleaners and Chemicals Industry. As a general rule, low viscosity products may use a gravity fill or an overflow fill to prepare products, while thicker cleaners and chemicals may use a pump or piston filler. Each project will be analyzed regarding viscosity and a number of other factors to find the best filling solution for the specific products being filled.

Capping Machinery

Capping machines are built specifically for the type of caps being used for any given project. For cleaners and chemicals, a threaded, screw-on type closure is the most often used cap. Both spindle cappers and chuck capping machines can be used to tighten these caps, which may range from flat caps to CRC caps, trigger sprayers and more, depending on the cleaner or chemical. Of course, other capping machines are available for unique closures or caps such as snap or ROPP.

Special Construction

As noted above, some harsh chemicals may not interact well with stainless steel, which is the typical construction material for most packaging machinery. To protect the equipment itself, HDPE construction can be used to build machinery where harsh, corrosive chemicals are being packaged. The alternative HDPE construction material ensures a long useful life for the equipment where drips, spills, splashes or even fumes may break down the stainless material.

Automatic and Semi-Automatic Equipment

All of the equipment described above can be manufactured for both semi-automatic and automatic production. Meaning regardless of the size of the business or the production demand, Liquid Packaging Solutions has a solution to create an efficient packaging system. Automatic equipment most often will be built as an inline system, with power conveyors moving bottles from one piece of equipment to another. An operator of an online system need only set up the equipment and supply bulk components such as bottles, caps and labels. Semi-automatic equipment requires more interaction from operators, such as placing bottles and caps and activating the rinse, fill or cap cycle with each individual bottle or each set of bottles. While automatic equipment provides more speed, both semi-automatic and automatic will provide consistent and reliable processes throughout the packaging line.

As the effects of 2020 linger, Liquid Packaging Solutions expects the popularity of cleaners and chemicals to continue to grow into 2022 after falling from a peak at the beginning of the pandemic. For assistance in identifying the best solution for your own cleaner or chemical project, contact Liquid Packaging Solutions today, or check out our typical complete full lines for Cleaners and Chemicals to get started on your own.