Rethink how you disinfect your systems
Discover the best alternative to peracetic acid
If you run a dairy, beverage or food plant, chances are your CIP lines, tanks, water filters and open surfaces are disinfected today with peracetic acid – sometimes combined with quaternary ammonium compounds (quats). You recognise the drums in the chemical room, the sharp smell during and the constant need to organise deliveries, storage and handling.
HOCl versus perazijnzuur
The table below shows how in‑situ generated hypochlorous acid (HOCl) can deliver effective disinfection, while also reducing your dependence on canisters, manual drum handling and frequent chemical deliveries.
|
In‑situ generated HOCl |
Peracetic acid (PAA) |
Peracetic acid + quats |
|
|
Active substance(s) |
Hypochlorous acid solution generated on site from water, salt and electricity. |
Peracetic acid produced off‑site from acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. |
Mixture of peracetic acid and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). |
|
Supply & logistics |
No routine delivery of disinfectant canisters; only salt and occasional spare parts. |
Regular ordering, delivery and storage of classified chemical canisters/IBCs. |
Same as PAA, plus dependence on specific quat formulations |
|
Handling on site |
Working solution generated at use strength; fewer manual transfers of concentrated products. |
Handling concentrated oxidiser with dedicated procedures for transfer, dilution and spills. |
Handling a formulation that combines an oxidising acid with surfactant‑type actives. |
|
Work environment |
Mild swimming pool smell; can be dosed automatically into water systems and cleaning processes. |
Characteristic sharp odour; often used in separate steps with ventilation and rinsing. |
Odour of peracetic acid plus potential residue‑forming surfactants on surfaces. |
|
Equipment & materials |
Neutral to slightly acidic working pH; suitable for continuous dosing in pipes and tanks when designed correctly. |
Acidic solution that can contribute to corrosion of metals, seals and gaskets if not managed well. |
Acidic plus surfactants; can increase wear on elastomers and leave films that may attract soil. |
|
Packaging & waste |
Strong reduction in packaging, empty canisters and transport movements; no return or disposal of disinfectant drums. |
Continuous stream of empty canisters/IBCs and transport movements that must be managed. |
Same as PAA, plus attention for quats in wastewater and residues in the environment. |
|
Gevarenclassificaties en veiligheidsinformatiebladen |
N/A |
|
|
Why choose Watter over traditional disinfectants?
1. Nearly 20 years of experience
We have been developing our on-site disinfection technology for nearly 20 years across various countries and markets. So when you invest, you’re not just investing in the machine, but also in a team of microbiology experts and technicians with nearly two decades of experience.
2. Proven effectiveness
Our system has been effectively internationally recognised EN standards for bacteria (EN 1276), yeasts and fungi (EN 1650), viruses (EN 14476), and water systems such as drinking lines and cooling water (EN 13623).
Unlike conventional biocides, where the concentration of the active ingredient can decrease during transport and storage (degradation), in-situ production makes sure that freshly produced disinfectant is available in the right concentrations.
3. No PPE needed
For the use of Watter’s HOCl you are not required to wear PPE since it is not classified as hazardous or flammable under CLP. This saves you recurring costs for PPE purchasing and disposal, and it also makes day‑to‑day disinfection work more comfortable for operators compared to peracetic acid.
4. Minimal daily work
The Watter system is a fixed installation that automatically produces disinfectant,with you only needing to provide salt, water and electricity instead of handling and mixing ready‑made chemicals. Which keeps human errors and manual time invested to a minimum.
What is peracetic acid?
Peracetic acid is a liquid disinfectant produced from acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide and widely used in dairies, breweries, meat and ready‑to‑eat processing for pipeline, tank and surface disinfection. In some cases it is formulated together with quats, a group of surfactant‑type active substances that are also common in industrial surface disinfectants for the food industry. All of these are biocidal products and must be authorised and used according to their official instructions.
Want a proven effective continuously available alternative to peracetic acid?
Contact us and see what we can do for your company!