German-based Miele Professional, an innovative technology firm, is showcasing its advanced laboratory washers for the petrochemical sector at the ongoing Arab Laboratory exhibition, which opened yesterday (March 23) in Dubai, UAE.

The event runs until March 26 at Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

“The environmental impact of reprocessing is far-reaching, particularly for glassware,” said Babak Rashnavadi, regional sales manager, Gulf Region of Miele Professional.

“In 2013 Dubai sent 2.6 million tonnes of waste to landfill, an estimated 15-25 per cent of which was laboratory waste comprising of glass and other hazardous material. Reprocessing of glassware negates the need for recycling but also contributes to the overall reduction in industrial energy use.”

Petroleum is the world's most complex natural mixture and one of the most challenging samples for chemical analysis. It is also one of the most difficult properties to effectively and efficiently clean off glassware and the reason why so many laboratories in the oil industry simply discard glassware after a single use.

Research by the US Energy Information Administration highlighted glass manufacturing as amongst the most energy-intensive industries. Through reprocessing glassware annual fuel costs, electricity costs and water costs could be reduced by $1.5 million alone in the US, while simultaneously reducing their environmental impact – issues that businesses in the Middle East are all too familiar with.

Dubai is on the cusp of introducing new fees increasing its current tariff of Dh10 ($2.72) per truck load of waste, Abu Dhabi already charges Dh225 ($61.20) per tonne.

“The need for reprocessing glass has never been more crucial particularly when you consider Dubai’s target of zero landfill waste and a reduction in energy consumption of 30 per cent by 2030,” added Rashnavadi.

Miele’s advanced engineering features shorter cleaning times, reduced water consumption, self-cleaning, specialised detergents specifically created to remove petroleum compounds, optional built-in dryer system and service friendly designs all illustrate the new range’s sustainability and efficiency message.

“Many laboratories have already seen the benefits of our machine-based reprocessing of glassware with ADNOC and the National Gas Company both maximising the benefits of the washers. Not only do our machines provide superior technology – Miele washers circulate 156 gallons per minute of water, typical lab washers only generate 60 gallons per minute – automatic reprocessing cuts down on work and reduces costs,” said Rashnavadi.

“Our lab washers ensure zero glassware breakage due to the circulation of water at lower pressure whilst still delivering best in category cleaning results. By negating the need for laboratory staff to manually clean glassware, we are not only avoiding the risk of breakage, hazards to staff are also reduced. Automatic, machine-based processes are also more easily standardised, validated and documented while offering maximum protection to personnel,” he added.

Top Miele Lab washers have been awarded the iF-design award and the Essen Design Centre reddot award, both highly coveted awards in Miele’s native Germany. The sterilisation and disinfector products on show at the four-day event are CE certified and endorsed by Germany’s Robert Koch Institute, the government organisation responsible for disease control and prevention.

Started over 30 years ago, ArabLab has been one of the most influential laboratory and instrumentation events, featuring equipment from all the leading manufacturers in the world and is now recognised as one of the most important annual events of the year. - TradeArabia News Service