Definition of biodegradability
According to the official journal biodegradability "is said of a substance or material that breaks down into various elements under the action of living organisms". In other words, a product is said to be biodegradable when it can be broken down naturally by living organisms (e.g. micro-organisms present in the soil such as fungi, bacteria, etc.). When the product breaks down to form other molecules or by-products, it is called intrinsically biodegradable. If the decomposition results in the formation of carbon dioxide and water, it is called ultimate biodegradability.
To say that a product is "biodegradable", we must take into account several aspects:
- The degree of decomposition
- The time needed for its decomposition
- The effects of the elements obtained on the environment
Analysis of the biodegradability
The products of the SOCOCLEAN AIRCRAFT CLEANERS range have passed the tests according to the OECD 301 guidelines allowing to affirm that the aircraft cleaners are easily biodegradable.
Biodegradable industrial cleaners in aerospace
The SOCOCLEAN AIRCRAFT CLEANERS range offers cleaning products for the interior and exterior of aircraft. How can we say that our products are biodegradable?
Short degradability process
Our cleaners are biodegradable within 28 days. This period is considered to be very short in terms of the temporality of human activities.
We talk about 28 days, because it is the threshold set by the detergent regulation for the biodegradability tests recommended in the legislation. We go even further, some of our cleaners are easily biodegradable in less than 2 weeks.
Dissemination without toxicity
Once applied, our products can remain on the equipment or be rinsed with clear water (exterior cleaner) and evacuated according to local regulations. Our products do not generate toxic residues for our ecosystem. By degrading under the action of micro-organisms, our cleaners are transformed into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H2O).
Not a source of pollution
Because they are easily biodegradable, our cleaners do not garther in large quantities in the environment. Therefore, they do not have a negative impact on the ecosystem. We do not use phosphates which, when released in excessive quantities, are responsible for the eutrophication of rivers.
When our detergents biodegrade, they are transformed into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H2O), molecules that are already present in the environment naturally.
The challenges facing players in the aeronautics industry in the face of sustainable development
In the aerospace industry, one of the priorities is sustainable development. Airline companies and maintenance centers are giving more and more importance to it.
Many actions are taken:
- Use of less aggressive products for aircraft maintenance.
- Innovative products that are environmentally friendly because more than 95% of them are biodegradable.
- Saving water during aircraft washing.
- Simplification of wastewater reprocessing, in accordance with site regulations.
SOCOMORE accompanies its customers in their objectives of minimizing their impact on the environment and offers a range of cleaners corresponding to their expectations.
Proven biodegradability of aircraft cleaners
The products developed by the SALVECO laboratory go further than the requirements imposed by the detergent regulation (Regulation (EC) 648/2004). They are systematically analyzed to prove their safety through batteries of tests conducted by independent laboratories with expertise in health and the environment (dermatological tests, toxicity tests and biodegradability tests according to OECD guidelines).
The range does not present any danger for the users and for the environment (CLP regulation) according to the regulations in force. Without petroleum derivates and without chemical additive, the cleaners have performances proved by the European independent laboratories.
The cleaners do not contain :
- phosphate
- phosphonate
- quaternary ammonium derivatives.
- etc.
SOCOCLEAN AIRCRAFTS CLEANERS, 100% vegetable and mineral origin, are not dangerous products in the sense of the regulation on the classification, labeling and packaging of chemical products (Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008). Manual aircraft cleaning can be done within a few meters of technicians performing aircraft maintenance operations, without risk to their health.
Ultimate biodegradability of aircraft cleaners
Why are we talking about ultimate biodegradability for the aircraft cleaner line? SOCOCLEAN AIRCRAFTS CLEANERS will fully break down in a maximum of 28 days. We are not only talking about the surfactants, but also about all the ingredients of the formula which are 100% vegetable and mineral origin.
It is important to note that most of the "classic" cleaners on the market that claim to be biodegradable are only partially so. As a reminder, the legislation requires the manufacturer to pass the biodegradability test ONLY on the surfactants, and sometimes the surfactants represent only 40% of the formula of the cleaner.
To learn more about the SOCOCLEAN AIRCRAFT CLEANER range
Read the article "Plant-based aircraft cleaners for ground handling".
