PBM reports back from the launch of a new range of ‘solid’ inhibitors, cleaners and biocides for residential heating systems from DosaFil, which are said to offer a host of benefits over traditional liquid chemicals for installers and merchants alike.
Having built up a reputation for success in solving problems associated with water quality issues in commercial heating and cooling systems, DosaFil states it has now transferred its expertise into the world of residential water treatment with the launch of a range of solid water treatment products that navigate many of the perceived concerns associated with liquid chemical solutions.
In many cases using the same or similar chemicals to those used in such liquids, the new products contain “industry-proven high-performance materials” to control scale, corrosion, and bio fouling. However, the DosaFil alternative is centred on providing the active ingredients in a solid paste format that is said to be far lighter, less dangerous to handle and transport, results in zero leakage or spillage, produces zero plastic for landfill all whilst offering as good or better results once applied to a system.
Steve Crick, the company’s MD and founder, said: “We set out to challenge the status quo, creating a safe, easy to install and operate water conditioning system that also addresses common key concerns of modern business, such as health and safety, eco-friendliness and reduction of energy consumption. We designed a new approach to water treatment, dared to dream about changing things when we were told they couldn’t change, and produced a solution that has already made us a highly successful business (by) improving water quality in heating systems.”
The results of hours of research and development undertaken was based on the idea that water treatment does not need to revolve around huge quantities of liquid chemicals. Steve and his team have more than 40 years of commercial water treatment experience in the locker, and the wider business has been utilising solid chemicals — which rapidly dissolved when applied to systems — very successfully in large commercial heating environments for several years.
When developing these solid paste products, the company always saw the potential benefits of introducing them to the residential market. However, as Steve says, “producing useable solid products was no easy task and required hundreds of hours of research and development — we believe others have tried and failed.”
Now, the business says the perseverance has paid off and it is ready to introduce the DosaFil Residential Technologies range. Put simply, the new residential products have already been “tried and tested” on commercial systems for several years — it’s just a case of ‘resizing’ the products to be “the perfect match for smaller residential systems.”
And even more crucially, the suite of products is said to meet all the standards and guidelines that currently exist in the marketplace for liquid solutions whilst offering a raft of benefits over those liquid alternatives for merchants stocking the products and installers using them.
The new range
There are four key products in the range — the DR1 solid inhibitor sticks are reportedly the first solid inhibitor product in the world to gain NSF International CIAS certification (formally known as BuildCert) whilst the DR2 Solid Cleaner sticks, DR3 Solid heavy duty cleaner sticks and DR4 Solid biocide sticks also all “meet the same standards as the traditional liquid competitors.”
Crucially, the new products are compact and lightweight. With up to 90% of the contents of traditional liquid chemical water treatment products being water and other liquids, using a solid product immediately takes out huge amounts of weight from the situation. This weight reduction offers advantages when moving the product in bulk — and means far less space is taken up on merchants’ shelves and installers’ vans.
Indeed, DosaFil says that a typical treatment for a 100-litre system with liquid chemicals would weigh around 1.16kgs, however the new solid equivalent is “a mere 0.098kgs.” Furthermore, they are said to provide a “totally recyclable” packaging proposition — with just cardboard packaging to be easily recycled, no chemically-tainted plastic bottles (which can’t be recycled unless they are thoroughly cleaned first) will need to be sent to landfill.
Plus, the new product eliminates the chance of spills and reduces COSHH impact. The solid chemicals are also said to aid IPPC and ISO 14000 compliance, which can be a key advantage for particular contract customers, whilst the products are also made in the UK and “proudly carry the Made in Britain logo.”
Reflecting on his considerable experience in the residential water treatment market, Commercial Director John Lynch said: “These are very exciting times for DosaFil Residential Technologies. Currently 97% of chemical water treatment uses liquid products, so we have a huge market to target and massive volume potential.
“Those using these products will see that solid water treatment products — which can be used through introducing them via filters or even towel rail radiators as they wish — will save them time and money, and contribute towards sustainability and reductions in emissions and plastic waste.”
John added: “We received exceptionally positive feedback from a number of major players in the marketplace at our stand at Installer Live & PHEX North — we’re confident that they and others will be keen to take a closer look at what we have to offer.”
Indeed, the business is already working with a number of merchant businesses nationwide alongside plumbing and heating distributors Mark Vitow and Arctic Hayes. The company is further pledging to support stockists with point of sale, a ‘mixed box’ offer to ensure optimum stockholding, product training for staff and customers, plus access to technical support as required.
Click here for more information on the launch of DosaFil’s residential range of solid water treatment products.
