AN OPTIMIZATION TOOL FOR CLEANER PRODUCTION IN THE METAL FINISHING INDUSTRY

The metal finishing industry is water intensive. Surveys of South African metal finishing companies indicate that water consumption is as high as 400 L/m2 of metal surface treated, whilst best available practice can achieve less than 10 L/m2. The industry uses hazardous chemicals such as chrome VI, cadmium, nickel and cyanide. If consumption of these chemicals can be optimized, quantities of heavy metals released into the environment will be reduced. In some cases where cleaner production techniques were applied by local companies, heavy metals have been completely eliminated from effluents discharged to municipal sewers, which represents a significant benefit to the urban environment. This benefit was accompanied by significant reduction in the use of chemicals, with a concomitant cost saving and competitive advantage to the companies concerned. A Danish environmental aid initiative aims to promote cleaner production in the South African metal finishing industry. Local consultants have been trained by Danish experts in this field. The general methodology is to conduct an audit of the chemical, water, human resource and environment aspects of the company and compare it to best available practice. Once the review is completed,