Mulder-Hardenberg has developed and produced an industrial soap called RST-5. Tools and hands can be degreased and cleaned in an environmentally friendly manner when working with resins, epoxies, bitumen, inks, silicones, paints, oils or sealants.

There is a global change going on to better deal with our Planet. The point is to reduce the use of harmful substances. RST-5 has been the alternative to solvents such as Acetone for 25 years.

By reducing the use of products such as Acetone, the carbon footprint or CO2 footprint is reduced. The use of RST-5 creates a healthier situation within companies in the workplace. RST-5 removes the user from contact with toxic solvents to clean hands and tools and the airways remain free of volatile, toxic fumes.

There are no explosion or fire safety conditions needed for the storage or use of RST-5 as it is solvent free and cannot ignite. RST-5 is a water-based industrial soap without solvents. It is used in the aircraft industry, swimming pool and tank fabrication, pipe winding, printing, automotive and recreation industries, etc. “One of our clients from the Italian yacht and boat building industry uses RST-5 for their employees, who laminate the polyester with paint rollers. They use our product to clean their hands and paint rollers.” says Business Developer Martijn Bouwmeester.

Attractive pricing

RST-5 is attractive. “The price of this product does not differ much per liter from the price of Acetone. There is little difference, except that with RST-5 there are no additional costs for the extraction of air and the safe reception, storage, use and transport of explosive liquids.” says Marketing Manager Maarten Prins.

The product RST-5 is supplied by Mulder-Hardenberg as a concentrate to reduce transport and storage costs in contrast to, for example, acetone. Before use, the product is diluted with tap water. Ratio 1:20. 20 liters of water are added to 1 liter of RST-5. All the user needs are a brush and a bowl of warm water. RST-5 works optimally at 40 degrees Celsius and requires friction (scrubbing / rubbing) to clean tools and hands.

The processing and disposal of RST-5 waste, the residue, is more attractive from a price point of view than when using solvents. RST-5 does not dissolve the resins, but the scrubbed material is collected in a filter bag. Resin residues should be dried to reduce the waste volume. The RST-5 sediment can then be disposed of as industrial small chemical waste. The cleaned water can then be reused.

An increasing group of leading manufacturers are using RST-5, making it easier for other companies to also choose this alternative. “It has turned out that RST-5 can be used much more widely than originally thought,” says Bouwmeester. "Anyone who now uses a solvent for degreasing and cleaning tools and hands should request an RST-5 sample from us and experience for themselves how safe, fast, efficient and cheap the product works."