SAFECHEM Story

SAFECHEM Europe GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, is an innovative business model based upon the principles of Responsible Care® and Sustainable Development — the balance of environmental, economic and social responsibilities. SAFECHEM focuses on service, fully supporting DOW solvents to allow customers to benefit from the performance of these products while complying with use and disposal regulations. At the centre of the SAFECHEM service, the SAFE-TAINER™ system offers safe delivery and take-back of chlorinated solvents in a closed-loop delivery system. In addition, SAFECHEM expertise assists customers in the safe use of these solvents.

The Service Alliance
SAFECHEM offers a variety of services for both chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents. SAFECHEM markets the SAFE-TAINER system in close co-operation with its Service Alliance, which includes over 50 Qualified Chemical Distribution Partners, 12 waste-managers and the top Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Our estimated 3,500 customers are based in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.

• Qualified Chemical Distribution Partners
  SAFECHEM’s Qualified Chemical Distribution Partners specialise in the handling of chlorinated solvents. Backed by a reliable logistics system, they supply fresh solvent in the SAFE-TAINER system rapidly, in most cases within 48 hours, and also collect used materials and empty containers on short notice. All partners are fully committed to the guidelines of Responsible Care, the ESAD initiative and Sustainable Development to ensure the safe supply of chlorinated solvents using Best Available Technology (BAT).
  
  
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
  In today’s VOC-compliant, closed degreasing equipment, the quality of the solvent and continued maintenance of the product is of paramount importance. SAFECHEM guarantees the exclusive supply of DOW branded solvents in the SAFE-TAINER system, and offers a variety of services for the safe and economic use of these products. On request, SAFECHEM specialists can arrange cleaning trials at OEM sites to determine the best technical and economical cleaning solution to meet individual customer’s needs.
  

SAFECHEM and Dow – Solutions Providers
SAFECHEM and Dow offer more than just their products. The SAFECHEM business model, combined with Dow’s longstanding experience in R&D, Technical Services & Development, EH&S and Product Stewardship, allows us to provide customers with a solutions-orientated approach. We work together with the customer to determine the best solution for his or her cleaning needs, taking into account the customer’s situation, the desired cleaning results, and the legislative environment. Once the right solution has been found, the customer has access to a broad range of products and services, including the SAFE-TAINER system, DOW products and laboratory analysis, as well as chemical and technical consultation.

History
In the late 1980s, the use of chlorinated solvents in Germany and Switzerland came under more stringent regulations. The closed-loop SAFE-TAINER system was developed to safely handle chlorinated solvents and was introduced in 1992.

In 1997, distributors in Germany committed to the principles of Responsible Care stopped supplying chlorinated solvents in drums and converted their customers to the safe supply in the closed-loop system. At the same time, surface-cleaning customers, in compliance with legal requirements, upgraded their cleaning equipment to closed machines. The close relationship with leading OEMs was of utmost importance. It ensured the safe handling of the product during the production process, supply and storage, take-back and recycling: ‘from the cradle to the grave.’

Today, a continuously increasing number of customers choose to clean their parts with chlorinated solvents in the SAFE-TAINER system, ensuring high quality cleaning in an environmentally responsible manner.


®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow ®Registered Service Mark of the American Chemistry Council