Water is not a resource we can take for granted
Water is an essential resource in every vehicle wash. This makes well-designed water management all the more important to reduce fresh water consumption, maintain the quality of recycled water and ensure reliable wash operations. For water cycles to function effectively over the long term, system technology, water treatment and the cleaning chemicals used need to work in harmony.
For us, product development therefore means more than simply achieving effective cleaning performance. We consider the entire washing process and the role our products play within it. Our aim is to support you as a car wash operator in using water responsibly, without compromising on cleaning performance.
Where does water management play a role?
An example covering the entire washing process
Pre-cleaner:
Aggressive chemicals or antibacterial active ingredients can harm beneficial microorganisms that are essential for biological water treatment.
Brushes:
What may appear to be purely mechanical cleaning is actually an interplay of mechanics, water and chemistry. Carefully selected cleaning substances support surface wetting and help loosen dirt so that it can be removed with the wash water.
Recycled water treatment:
Aspects that are not considered when selecting cleaning chemicals can cause significant problems in recycled water treatment. The beneficial microorganisms used in the treatment process are highly sensitive.
Wax & polish:
Silicones are extremely stable in the environment. If they enter wastewater, they are hardly broken down in wastewater treatment plants and can instead accumulate in sewage sludge or bodies of water. They also have strong foam-reducing and water-repellent properties. In wastewater from car washes, they can interfere with the oil separators and filters used in the system.
Pre-cleaner:
Aggressive chemicals or antibacterial active ingredients can harm beneficial microorganisms that are essential for biological water treatment.
Brushes:
What may appear to be purely mechanical cleaning is actually an interplay of mechanics, water and chemistry. Carefully selected cleaning substances support surface wetting and help loosen dirt so that it can be removed with the wash water.
Recycled water treatment:
Aspects that are not considered when selecting cleaning chemicals can cause significant problems in recycled water treatment. The beneficial microorganisms used in the treatment process are highly sensitive.
Wax & polish:
Silicones are extremely stable in the environment. If they enter wastewater, they are hardly broken down in wastewater treatment plants and can instead accumulate in sewage sludge or bodies of water. They also have strong foam-reducing and water-repellent properties. In wastewater from car washes, they can interfere with the oil separators and filters used in the system.
Water management
- Water management is not limited to a single aspect of vehicle washing.
- Along the chain conveyor system, we highlight the relevant areas and demonstrate which factors are important for targeted water management.
- The individual stations provide a concise overview of how these elements interrelate.
Our SC GreenLine product range
Developed with water and recycled water management in mind
High-performance vehicle cleaning and responsible water use are not mutually exclusive. From the very beginning of the SC GreenLine development process, we have examined how formulations affect biological processes in recycled water and their behaviour in wastewater, optimising them with effective recycled water management in mind.
We continue to pursue this approach consistently today. Criteria such as biological compatibility and biodegradability guide us throughout the development process. An important reference value is the ratio of biochemical oxygen demand after five days (BOD₅) to chemical oxygen demand (COD). This ratio can provide an indication of how readily organic components can be biodegraded.
We therefore follow recognised criteria that are also used in the assessment and certification of cleaning agents. Our aim is to develop products that deliver powerful cleaning performance while taking the requirements of modern water treatment and recycled water systems into account. We do not rely exclusively on internal assessments. Instead, our products are tested and certified in accordance with the requirements of the Austrian Standard (ÖNORM). This is why we continuously work to further develop the SC GreenLine formulations and optimise their properties within the water cycle.
The products are intended for professional use in commercial and industrial settings.
Certified according to ÖNORM B 5106
All SC GreenLine products are certified according to ÖNORM B 5106.
The standard defines specific requirements for the wastewater behaviour of cleaning and care products used in vehicle washing, providing transparent and independent verification.
All SC GreenLine products are certified according to ÖNORM B 5106.
The standard defines specific requirements for the wastewater behaviour of cleaning and care products used in vehicle washing.
Certification provides transparent and independent verification based on defined requirements.
SC GreenLine
Our SC GreenLine is free from NTA, silicone, silicate, phosphate, mineral oil, and microplastics. It is suitable for all water treatment systems and is certified in accordance with ÖNORM B 5106.
All SC GreenLine products are certified according to ÖNORM B 5106.
The standard defines specific requirements for the wastewater behaviour of cleaning and care products used in vehicle washing.
Certification provides transparent and independent verification based on defined requirements.
SC GreenLine Our SC GreenLine is free from NTA, silicone, silicate, phosphate, mineral oil, and microplastics. It is suitable for all water treatment systems and is certified in accordance with ÖNORM B 5106.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about water management and SC GreenLine
What do BOD₅ and COD mean, and why are these values relevant?
BOD₅ (biochemical oxygen demand after five days) describes the amount of oxygen microorganisms require within five days to biologically break down certain substances. COD (chemical oxygen demand) measures the oxygen demand required for the chemical oxidation of substances in a water sample. The BOD₅/COD ratio can provide an indication of how readily the organic load in wastewater can be treated biologically.
What does clean recycled water have to do with environmental protection?
In car wash systems, treated recycled water can be reused in the washing process. This allows water to be circulated instead of relying exclusively on fresh water for every wash cycle. The German Environment Agency considers the responsible management of global water resources a key topic of Germany's National Water Strategy.
Why is responsible water use becoming increasingly important?
Water is a valuable resource whose availability is under increasing pressure. Dry periods, heavy rainfall and other consequences of climate change present new challenges for water management. This makes it increasingly important to use water efficiently, establish effective water cycles and minimise the discharge of substances into bodies of water wherever possible.
Clean performance, clear benefits
- Nationwide network of sales experts
- Specialist department for water chemistry
- Precise adjustment service
- Large technical network incl. support
- Detailed water analysis
- Sustainable product range
- Certified products
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