1. Home
  2. Testimonials
  3. Testimonial - How to Replace HCFC-141b

Testimonial – How to Replace HCFC-141b

Safety, Savings and Sustainability for Multi-National Automotive Manufacturer

An automotive manufacturer of Pyrotechnic Airbag Inflators, Stored Gas Airbag Inflators, Electrical Initiators and Micro Gas Generators was faced with a very perplexing situation: How to Replace HCFC-141b from a 24×7 production that was critical to their production and profitability.

For decades the client consumed an HCFC-141b based, non-flammable solvent in a highly explosive environment – i.e. pyrotechnic airbag inflators.

Pros: cost-effective ($7/can in early 2000), fast drying (classified as a refrigerant), non-flammable, plastic safe and cleans well (high kb value).

Cons: volatile raw material pricing ($2/lb to $20/lb within 5 years), Class II ozone depleting potential (ODP), discontinued production effective 1/1/2003

 Ecolink received an urgent call from a US-based automotive manufacturer to design a cost-effective, compliant alternative to Big Bath aerosol (HCFC-141b based) solvent.

We’re in a tough spot. That’s why I think we should lay everything on the table and come up with a Win / Win.
-Larry, Buyer Manager

Customer priority list:

  • Pricing & availability – HCFC 141b phase-out of production effective January 1, 2003 causing prices to increase and an uncertain supply availability beyond phase-out
  • Just-in-time (daily) delivery – very limited storage (15 cases/day maximum)
  • Plastic (Lexan) compatibility
  • Process improvement – punctured over 40,000 -50,000 cans/year with an 10% average loss factor
  • Reduce solid waste, including recycling content
  • Save green ($, money) by going green (fewer air/VOC emissions)

After two years of in-person meetings, team interviews among end users, engineering, environmental health and safety team, Ecolink partnered with the client to custom design a flammable solvent-based aerosol and bulk degreaser that had no short to long-term regulatory supply disruption. The design collaboration encompassed all aspects of the product (chemical composition) and packaging (product name, valve type, can size, spray pattern) and the creation of ECC-22.

Results:

  • Eliminated 25,000 – 30,000 aerosol cans per year + 6 x 55-gal drums of hazardous waste disposal generated per year
  • Saved over 7,000 lbs (3.5 tons)/year of steel
  • Reduced VOC emissions by 14x (44% vs 2.5%)
  • Converted 10% of annual aerosol consumption to bulk use reducing amount of freight, handling, inventory, tracking and disposal costs
  • Replaced $10/can (and rising) to $4-5.50/can saving more than $6,000,000 [$6M] over 7 years (and counting)
  • Zero (0) plant shutdowns – 7 consecutive years of just-in-time delivery to meet revolving production schedule

 

Search here

Don’t forget to share this post!

Categories

Suggested Blog Posts

View all News
By Ecolink Team
Industrial Degreasers Available
Jun 25 2025

What Are the Best Eco-Preferred Industrial Degreasers Available?

Choosing the right eco-friendly degreaser for your business can be tough—from finding suppliers to combing through page after page of products, it’s hard to know which...
By Ecolink Team
Ecolink - Chemical Solvent Supplier
Jun 04 2025

Chemical Solvent Suppliers: Why Businesses Choose Ecolink!

Looking for new chemical solvent suppliers? You’re not alone.  Considering that just about every industry requires chemicals, having a chemical supplier you can trust...
By Ecolink Team
Semiconductor vs Electronic Grade
May 30 2025

Semiconductor Grade Chemicals vs. Electronic Grade Chemicals 

Chemical grades can be confusing—do I need an ACS grade chemical? A USP? How about a technical grade?  Simply put, chemical grades refer to a chemical’s level of...
By Ecolink Team
Semiconductor Grade
May 27 2025

What are Semiconductor Grade Chemicals?

Semiconductor grade chemicals are a great way to clean delicate electronic surfaces without causing irreversible damage. But which chemical is right for your unique...
By Ecolink Team
Electronic Grade
May 23 2025

What is Electronic Grade Chemicals?

Find yourself wondering what electronic grade chemicals are? Whether you’re trying to figure out the best chemical for cleaning your cell phone or need bulk chemical...
By Ecolink Team
Electronic Grade IPA
May 21 2025

What is Electronic Grade IPA

Isopropyl alcohol, commonly referred to as IPA, is a great solvent for cleaning. But when it comes to cleaning delicate surfaces such as electronics, the type of IPA...
By Ecolink Team
Water Treatment Chemicals for Boilers
May 16 2025

6 Benefits of Water Treatment Chemicals for Boilers

Proper chemical treatment is essential for disinfecting water and preventing buildup in boilers. But what other benefits are there? In this blog post, we’ll take a...
By Ecolink Team
Industrial Cleaning Chemicals & Retail Cleaners
May 14 2025

Industrial vs. Retail Cleaners: Which Are Best?

We all clean. Whether you own a dental office, a townhouse, or a factory, cleaning is an essential part of your daily operations. But when it comes to choosing the best...
By Ecolink Team
non-destructive testing
May 12 2025

What is Non-Destructive testing? A Brief Overview

Evaluating a product’s materials and internal components is one of the best ways to test the integrity of a product. But how does each industry evaluate their products?...
By Ecolink Team
Best vehicle degreasers
May 09 2025

Best Vehicle Degreasers: Efficient Solutions for Removing Grease

fleets for their operations. Grease buildup can hinder efficiency and diminish the overall aesthetics of vehicles. To combat this challenge, businesses need the best...
View all News