FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 January 2013
Environmentally responsible ECA Technology changing the face of Disinfection
Once a relatively unknown technology, Radical Waters’ Electrochemically Activated Water (dubbed ECA) has become a topic of massive interest with the growing focus by food and Beverage companies on sustainability and the reduction of the Carbon Footprint.
Although still viewed as an emerging hygiene technology in the commercial sense, ECA has been around for quite some time. The advanced aqua-science was originally developed in Russia in the 1970’s and used in the mining & medical industry. After more than a decade of research and development into refining ECA applications, Radical Waters entered the market in early 2004 having patented numerous ECA, food and beverage applications.
Aside from the surge in global interest in the technology, Radical Waters has invested a substantial amount of effort into educating the market about ECA technology over the last 5 years.
What is ECA?
Electrochemically activated Water is as the name suggests a water-based technology. The production of ECA through specialised reactor cells forms pH neutral liquid solutions which mimic the human body’s production of the natural antimicrobial Hypochlorous acid. Hypochlourous Acid is an extremely potent disinfectant offering a safe and non-hazardous approach to disinfection and sanitation. Because it is all natural, and made from salt+water+electricity, as in the body, it is safe to use in food and beverage environments.
2008 became a milestone for the Johannesburg based Hygiene Company Radical Waters when it pioneered the ECA application for CIP (Cleaning in Place) reducing the traditional 5 step cleaning in place process into a 4 step process, resulting in the Company receiving their first orders from a large global carbonated soft drinks group.
In 2012 Radical Waters was granted the US Beverage patent for this application, offering its customer’s substantial cost savings in terms of water, energy and sanitation time due to beverage facilities requiring shorter rinse cycles for cleaning and ambient sanitation.
Specific environmental benefits associated with ECA:
- LESS WATER: cleaning cycle times may be reduced by up to 70% due to the shorter contact time of the ECA solutions that is required for effective cleaning and disinfecting relative to the equivalent strengths of conventional chemicals.
- NO HEAT: Unlike conventional caustic cleaning and disinfection practices, Radical Waters ECA solutions are applied at ambient temperatures resulting in substantial energy savings.
- RECYCLED WATER: Water savings of up to 60% may be achieved as a direct result of shorter cleaning and disinfection cycles as well as the ability to reclaim CIP solutions for subsequent reuse. In addition, the two ECA solutions (the disinfectant and detergent) are compatible and do not require rinsing between and after applications. The ECA solutions can be reclaimed and re-used several times before being discarded to drain without adversely affecting the downstream effluent environment.
- REDUCTION IN TOXIC EFFLUENT: Broad adoption of ECA in the plant results in the substantial reduction of toxic effluent. Additionally ECA solutions degrade back to their natural state after use.
Why ECA is a Green Technology
Regrettably, man has become accustomed to resolving many of his problems through the use of chemicals. The extensive and indiscriminate use of these chemical products is now backfiring and has resulted in enormous environmental problems. The persistence of these chemical compounds is directly responsible for the incremental pollution of the environment, and has been shown to cause biocidal and antimicrobial tolerance and resistance within bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Of equal importance, is the conscious limitation of “human footprint”, particularly with regards to the overall reduction of water consumption associated with the use of such chemicals.
On the platform of enhanced energy and water efficiencies, Radical Waters are continuing to expand their Green technologyin both local and international markets into 2013. This ground breaking technology is revolutionizing attitudes and applications within all industries, and has recently grabbed the attention of other large beverage producers as well a large Pharmaceutical Group in the States where trials are underway.
With ECA installations on 6 continents and in 23 Countries, the South African based Science and Technology Company is gaining considerable ground by making a sizable Green Footprint in the market.
****
The company has installed operating ECA devices on 6 continents and in 23 countries primarily for blue chip companies. Our products are used in a wide range of markets formerly dependent on chemicals for controlling contamination and bacterial infection. The company has a focus on markets that includes beverage production, meat and seafood, sauce manufacture, milling and starch and hospitality.
Unlike conventional chemical remedies ECA is non-toxic and has been independently assessed to be safe to humans, animals and the planet while delivering a potent, antimicrobial intervention for the effective control of pathogenic and food spoiling microbial contaminants. The solutions can be used during food or beverage production as well as for CIP without any post application rinsing.
Being a fast acting sanitation solution, ECA is effective against a broad-spectrum of pathogens, including but not limited to, E.coli 0153, Listeria, Legionella and Salmonella.
Radical Waters’ Head Office is in Johannesburg South Africa, with branch offices in the US, Europe and Latin America.
Issued for: Radical Waters South Africa (Pty) Limited
Contact: Nikki Wilson: Operations Manager: +27 11 466 0610 / +27 82 455 8139
Fax No: +27 11 466 0114
Email: Nikki@radicalwaters.com
Website: www.radicalwaters.com
Issued by: Nikki Wilson
Date: 30 January 2013