Clariant - Runway and Aircraft De-Icers and Anti-Icers

Clariant's Safeway and Safewing runway and aircraft de-icers and anti-icers are safe, fast and cost-effective ice control chemicals for use on runways and aircrafts. Used widely in both commercial airports and military air bases which are concerned about the quality of storm water run-off, Clariant is the first choice for high-quality, environmentally friendly de-icers and anti-icers. Safeway runway de-icers and Safewing aircraft wing de-icers keep runways and aircraft surfaces clear and free from ice under even under the most severe winter conditions.

RUNWAY DE-ICERS AND ANTI-ICERS

Clariant developed Safeway runway anti-icer / de-icer on the basis of two fundamental principles - to meet economic and technical requirements, and to offer an alternative to traditional runway de-icers (EG, urea) from an ecological point of view. They work by breaking the bond which holds the ice and snow layer to the surfaces of runways and taxiways, thereby facilitating mechanical ice and snow removal to maintain adequate friction between aircraft tyres and the runway.

Clariant's runway de-icer and anti-icer products include:

• Safeway KA HOT (based on potassium acetate), Safeway KF and Safeway KF HOT (based on potassium formate). These products are liquid de-icers / anti-icers
• Safeway SF (based on sodium formate) is a solid de-icer / anti-icer

Safeway runway de-icers and anti-icers meet the requirements of the internationally recognised Aerospace material Specification AMS 1431 A and AMS 1435 for solid and liquid de-icers and anti-icers, respectively. Certificates awarded by the independent Scientific Material International Inc., USA (SMI) recognise the compatibility of Clariant de-icers / anti-icers with various metals and polymer materials.

AIRCRAFT WING DE-ICERS AND ANTI-ICERS

An effective aircraft de-icer / anti-icer is crucial to the safety of any airport. Ice on an aircraft's wing-surface can have a roughening effect that can change those parts of the aircraft which generate lift. As a result, the prescribed aerodynamic safety margins, specified for the aircraft with regard to acceleration and lifting performance are either reduced or completely eliminated. In a worst case scenario, icing on the wing can even cause the aircraft to stall. Therefore ice and snow have to be removed from the aircraft surfaces by applying de-icing agents leaving their wings aerodynamically clean for take-off.

Clariant's range of Safewing aircraft de-icers and anti-icers include:

• Safewing MP I - the classic Type I aircraft de-icing fluid used to remove ice, snow and hoarfrost rapidly
• Safewing MP II - the propylene glycol-based Type II aircraft de-icing / anti-icing fluid. Due to its viscous properties, it also prevents re-icing while providing complete safety between removal and take-off time
• Safewing MP IV - the propylene glycol-based thickened de-icing / anti-icing fluid which, due to its extended hold-over-time properties fulfills the more severe Type IV requirements

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DE-ICING / ANTI-ICING PRODUCTS

Safeway de-icing / anti-icing fluids consist of non-toxic, and readily and completely biodegradable glycols. Carbon dioxide and water are practically the only decomposition products. Therefore, when appropriate, after consulting the respective operator, diluted mixtures of de-icing / anti-icing fluids and water from melted ice and snow can be safely discharged into municipal sewage treatment plants.

Clariant symbolizes wide-ranging expertise in research, development, recycling and environmental protection.