BASF | Chemetall selected as 2021 Supplier of the Year by Midwest Glass Fabricators, Inc.

Driver for Change

Midwest Glass Fabricator's production team was in search of a full-service supplier that offered on-site technical support to optimize their manufacturing processes.

Kent Musser, Chemetall's Technical Sales Manager, sought an opportunity to propose a solution, and was able to successfully convert the Midwest Glass Fabricator's plant with Acecool 5679, a high performing coolant for high-speed glass griding and drilling, Acecut 5503 U cutting fluid, and Acefloc 19 to efficiently dose the system with the proper amount of flocculent to optimize product usage by reducing costs and lowering turbidity.

"Midwest Glass Fabricators also used their the close proximity to Chemetall's Blackman Township facility in Michigan to their advantage, with sourcing benefits and reduced transportation costs", said Bret Penrod, Glass Segment Manager, Chemetall North America. "Our team was ready and committed to providing the best customer experience from equipping the customer with advanced training on process improvements to meeting supply expectations despite the challenges presented by the current supply chain climate."

Acecool 5679 has a much higher level of active ingredients as compared to the coolant used by Midwest Glass Fabricators in the past. This higher level of performance improves glass quality at a lower usage rate which provides cost savings. Prior to converting to Chemetall's Acecut 5503 U, a fully evaporative cutting fluid, Midwest Glass Fabricator's production team were relying on an oil-based cutting fluid which was becoming a food source for bacteria in their coolant system. Coolants lose effectiveness due to chemical alterations caused by contaminants. Therefore, selecting the right cutting fluid is of utmost importance to overall glass processing as it has a direct influence on the subsequent production processes. Evaporating cutting fluids offers great advantages such as complete and consistent evaporation without leaving any residue, no interference with subsequent processes, and reduced processing costs.

"The real driver for change noticed by the customer was the added value and customer-centric approach from the technical support team in proposing an improvement process plan resulting in great savings and benefits to Midwest Glass Fabricator's Coolant System processes," shared Kent Musser, Technical Sales Manager, Chemetall North America. "We look forward to the continued business partnership with Midwest Glass Fabricators and appreciate their confidence in choosing BASF | Chemetall as their supplier."

Midwest Glass Fabricators. Inc, established in 1989, based in Highland, Michigan, is a tempered glass, composite panel, and break metal fabricator.

About ACECOOL 5679

ACECOOL 5679 is a fully synthetic coolant for edge working, drilling, and sawing of automotive, architectural, and furniture glass, as well as technical glass. It can be used for the following special applications: processing of borosilicate glass (edge working, sawing) crystal and lead crystal. Learn more about Chemetall's Glass Grinding and Polishing Coolant Technology.

About ACECUT 5503 U

ACECUT 5503 U is a glass cutting fluid designed specifically for cutting soft coated glass and is used for many glass cutting applications. It is used on float lines to cut coated glass, automotive and architectural glass, and window glass. Learn more about Chemetall’s Glass Cutting Technology.

About ACEFLOC 19

ACEFLOC 19 is a cationic polymer used throughout the glass industry as a flocculant. It is used on settling systems and clarifiers to remove glass fines from the coolant. Removing the glass fines helps to return clean coolant back to the grinding heads and prolongs the life of the coolant.

About the Coatings division of BASF

The Coatings division of BASF is globally known for its expertise in the development, production, and marketing of innovative and sustainable automotive OEM and refinish coatings, decorative paints, and applied surface treatments for metal, plastic, and glass substrates in a wide range of industries. The portfolio is completed by the "Innovation Beyond Paint" program which aims to develop new markets and businesses. We create advanced performance solutions and drive performance, design, and new applications to meet our partners' needs all over the world. BASF shares skills, knowledge, and resources of interdisciplinary and global teams for the benefit of customers by operating a collaborative network of sites in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia Pacific. In 2020, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about €3.1 billion.

Solutions beyond your imagination — Coatings by BASF. For more information about the Coatings division of BASF and its products, visit www.basf-coatings.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.