Leading player in asbestos removal, depollution and services to industry, the French group Valgo has just deployed an innovative cryogenic industrial cleaning technique in the Sorelait factory, particularly suited to the needs and constraints of the agri-food sector.
Present in Reunion since 2009, Valgo used cryogenics for the first time for the emblematic dismantling project of the old Rivière des Galets bridge in 2021.
To be deconstructed, this historic work of art between Le Port and Saint-Paul, commissioned in the late 1930s, had been cut into sections. The different portions were then deasbestosed and stripped of lead on a specially allocated site., before recycling.
In this context, the Valgo company teams had used an innovative paint stripping technique consisting of projecting abrasive coupled with carbon dioxide at -78°C. In a context of complex waste management on the island of Reunion, the use of cryogenics thus makes it possible to very significantly reduce the volume of waste to be treated.
A technique adapted to food factories
After this convincing achievement, Valgo has integrated cryogenics into its range of solutions for manufacturers. This technique is particularly suitable for cleaning operations., particularly in the agri-food sector. Indeed, when not coupled with abrasive, this process allows surfaces to be cleaned without creating new waste and without degrading the support. Lately, the Valgo La Réunion teams intervened on behalf of the Sorelait factory, at the port, to clean the rooms where milk powders are stored and processed, particularly volatile materials which become embedded in the smallest nooks and crannies. Cryogenics has thus made it possible to intervene effectively on production tools., such as tanks, but also on power cable trays that are difficult to access, or on electrical cabinets, and this without having to cut the power.
The advantages of this technique
Compared to conventional high pressure treatment, in the agri-food industry, cryogenic cleaning generates very little waste, by removing only surface residues which are immediately vacuumed up. It does not cause damage to structures and therefore preserves the integrity of the production tool. It presents less risk for teams, who use light equipment, more easily maneuverable. This technique can be applied to other markets, such as sugar production or electricity production and distribution sites, For example. “The deployment of this innovative cryogenics solution demonstrates the high level of technical expertise of our teams and our agility to provide tailor-made solutions meeting the needs of manufacturers”, highlights the Valgo agency manager in Reunion, Olivier Cadet. The Valgo agency currently has 27 employees. Nine tenths of its activity is currently carried out by asbestos removal and lead removal services..
