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Kumi Solutions will focus on component cleaning in the aerospace supply chain at an industry focused event.

Kumi Solutions will focus on component cleaning in the aerospace supply chain at an industry focused event being held at the company's facilities in Nuneaton from 21-22 March 2012.

NEU-TRI E (Trichloroethylene) is still one of the most popular solvents used by many aerospace primes and their supply chains. However, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of CHemicals) has placed Trichloroethylene under some pressure and more recently it has been added to Annex 14, raising concerns about its future use.

“The potential symptoms to this news are many and varied,” explained Kumi's managing director, Simon Graham, “some of which may present a risk to the smooth operation of many supply chains. Just a few potential reactions include the knee jerk response of replacing a perfectly good cleaning medium with an inappropriate process; significant lost time due to process verifications for NADCAP approved companies and processes; ignoring the problem until it's too late and service is disrupted catastrophically; believing that Trichloroethylene has already been banned; and being duped through misinformation by those who seek to gain financially from the confusion.”

All of these are potential and damaging risks to the aerospace industry's ability to meet its obligations to fulfil its customer demands. However, good decisions are based on sound facts and Kumi Solutions, along with its cleaning chemistry partner Safechem, will ensure that the supply chain is properly informed regarding the realities of the current legislative situation.

Visitors to the event will gain a clear understanding of REACH in relation to Trichloroethylene and how Annex 14 will impact on the use of the solvent. They will also learn how the Pero equipment as used by aerospace companies will enable the supply chain to continue using Trichloroethylene or change to any other aerospace approved cleaning products in the future. The Complease programme offered by Safechem, which removes the responsibility of ownership from the end user, will also be explained along with Dowper MC and Dowclene 1601 – the Rolls-Royce approved alternatives to Trichloroethylene. Staff will be available from both Kumi Solutions and Pero AG.

Kumi Solutions will have demonstration equipment available and visitors are encouraged to bring components with them. Cleaning systems available include the Pero R1 operating with NEU-TRI E; Dowper MC (Safechem's perchloroethylene) and Dowclene 1601 (a modified alcohol). A Pero Rotimat 3U heavy-duty aqueous spray washer using Henkel Saxin P3 will also be available.

Safechem will make presentations regarding REACH, Annex 14 and the continued future of Trichloroethylene as a viable surface cleaning medium; the approval of Dowclene 1601 as a genuine alternative to Trichloroethylene; and the Complease concept and how it can assist and alleviate the issue of authorisation for the continued use of Trichloroethylene.

Visitors will also hear about the Chemaware solvent training programme – a service enabling anybody that comes into regular contact with solvents to gain an understanding, appreciation and awareness of best practice regarding the use of solvent in the modern working environment.
Kumi Solutions
www.kumi-solutions.com

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