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Keeping paint, pigment and coating pipelines clean with Ice Pigging

One of the significant concerns in the paint, pigment and coatings industry is the risk of biofilm formation, which has become more prevalent as biocide use has been restricted by EU regulations.

The use of Ice Pigging has proven highly effective in mitigating this risk. By removing all traces of paint, pigment or coating and ensuring no moisture or residue remains in the pipeline, this method drastically reduces the likelihood of biofilm development.

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Clean paint, pigment and coating pipelines

Ensuring pipelines are clean is key to producing non-contaminated, high quality paint, pigment and coating products.

Our innovative Ice Pigging technology removes and prevents biofilm and other contaminants using a slurry ice mixture which exerts high shear forces on the inner walls of the pipelines without causing any damage. We refer to this as a “soft” clean.

Ice Pigging is a pipeline cleaning process utilising a two-phase ice and liquid slurry which forms a semi-solid plug within the pipe known as the Ice Pig. The slurry is pumped through the pipe like a liquid, but moves through pipework like a solid plug, detaching contaminants and fouling from the pipe wall and carrying them out of the pipe within the Ice Pig.

Cleaning pipes with minimal downtime

Cleaning pipes with minimal downtime

Ice Pigging can be integrated into the production process, or used as a one off cleaning option. Either can be operated quickly and effectively which minimises production line downtime, producing a high quality, time saving clean.

Unlike other cleaning methods, Ice Pigging cleans in a single pass. We can clean several kilometres of pipe in a few hours, and smaller pipes in minutes, so your systems are back up and running in record time.

Ice Pigging can be used to provide a superior clean between production batches. It is also much faster than flushing - when using our "in factory" NIV500 equipment, this can all be done automatically when the Nivalis machines "handshake" with the factory control system.

The set up and removal time for Ice Pigging is also much lower than with other cleaning methods, so we’ll be out of your way quicker.

Boosting paint, pigment and coating production

Regular Ice Pigging will keep your pipelines clean and free of biofilm and other contaminants. This will not only ensure that your product is of high quality but it will keep production lines running smoothly and effectively, minimising downtime and maximising product production.

Using Ice Pigging to regularly clean pipelines in your paint, pigment or coatings factory will not only save time, but in turn will save you money, waste and increase productivity.

Get in touch now to find out how how Ice Pigging can help your business.

Ice Pigging was installed in March 2021, I don’t think our facility could run without it. Rework due to biofilm has been eliminated from our production process." - Lead Process engineer, Paints TiO₂ manufacturer Germany (March 2025)

Cleaning pipework in the paint industry.

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Find out how Ice Pigging could work for you

Get in touch to find out more about Ice Pigging and how we could help you.