IPA alternatives overcome cleaner shortfall

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using cleaners made of at least 70% alcohol to disinfect surfaces.

This has led to a widespread global demand for IPA with much of it diverted for use in hospitals and other medical settings.

As a result, electronics and medical device manufacturers are facing IPA shortages which were once used for cleaning products during and after manufacturing.

Dan Sinclair, MicroCare National Sales Manager, said: “IPA is one of the most common cleaning fluids used as it is inexpensive and readily available. However, due to Coronavirus, IPA is in short supply as it is being widely used in a number of hygiene products like hand sanitisers, cleaning solutions and disinfectants.

“If you can get hold of IPA the prices have in general been significantly increased in response to the high demand. In fact Isopropyl Alcohol prices have more than tripled in the U.S. since March 10[1]. This has left a short fall in a number of industries like the electronics and medical sectors where it is used to clean components. There are however, superior replacements out there.”

Sinclair continued, “MicroCare offers a full line of IPA alternatives that clean just as well, if not better than IPA. Unlike IPA, they are non-flammable for added plant and worker safety. They include everything from cleaning fluids like SuprClean Heavy Duty Flux Remover to ESD Cleaning Wipes and the No-Clean Flux Remover Cleaning Pen. The MicroCare portfolio of progressive cleaning fluids have been developed to help companies clean properly, safely and more economically.”

“Because we have a strong supply chain and multiple manufacturing locations, we have the flexibility to produce our products and deliver as scheduled so customers can still achieve optimal cleaning results,” concluded Sinclair.

[1] https://www.wsj.com/articles/pandemic-sparks-price-surge-for-alcohol-used-in-hand-sanitizer-11585915202