What our customers tell us.

Breaking down concrete-like struvite

Struvite buildup in passenger rail sewage tanks could harden like concrete and dramatically reduce capacity. BNAC helped develop BioTherm Eliminator, a sewage bioremediation treatment, to attack it — turning the deposits into liquid after just a few hours. These sewage holding tanks were partly filling up with struvite and couldn't make the cross-country trip without having to empty the tanks. In testing on a single one-week cross-Canada trip, BioTherm Eliminator cleared the sewage sludge and struvite from 90-gallon tanks. In the photos below, the struvite sits like concrete on the left, and the right shows pooling liquid after treatment. By removing the struvite, BNAC gave VIA Rail the space it needed. BioTherm Eliminator is suited to wastewater systems on trains, ships and anywhere human waste needs to be temporarily stored.

A solvent-tank replacement built for real marine conditions

Seaspan staff challenged BNAC to find a better option for demanding solvent-tank cleaning work, one that stood up to the job while addressing odour, vapours and fire safety. Working with the people who would use it, BNAC developed a water-based replacement that has remained in use at five Seaspan locations for roughly 12 years.

Bio Strip: 14 months of testing, 12 years of improvement

In 2003 BNAC was asked to develop a paint stripper that could remove paint off wheel masks. After 14 months of testing alongside engineers on site, Bio Strip replaced the methylene chloride that had been used for the job. Over the next 12 years the formula was improved to be more effective and less expensive. That work made Canadian Auto Parts Toyota BNAC's very first customer.

Cutting the smell out of CNC coolant

The coolant running in their CNC machines gave off a bacteria smell that filled the plant and came home with people on their clothes. BNAC found a cutting fluid made in Calgary that would not go rancid and did not create the off-gassing, then introduced Degrease & Clean for oil spills and machine-shop grime. Personnel still call and order Degrease/Clean for personal use.

Concrete etching without the harsh fumes

VIA Rail needed to etch concrete floors before painting. Instead of muriatic acid and its hazardous fumes, BNAC found a product that etches concrete without the same off-gassing, while delivering the performance the job requires.

A year-long trial before switching spreaders to Panolin

Container-handling spreaders run on hydraulic oil and are always in use, so a green alternative had to perform at the same level. GCT's Vanterm operation ran a year-long test of Panolin, supplied by BNAC, after trying other products in previous years, and kept every storage drum and piece of equipment clearly recorded, documented and labelled.

“It is expensive to change the fluid, especially when there could be up to 22 different pieces of equipment each requiring up to 150 litres of hydraulic fluid.”

20 years and 100,000 hours without a fluid change

The hydraulic drive that turns the London Eye runs on Panolin. In 20 years of service, roughly 100,000 operating hours, the fluid has never been changed, while the wheel carries about 3.5 million visitors every year.

Power producers running on BNAC hydraulic fluid

BC Hydro, Innergex B.C.'s second largest power producer run on hydraulic fluid supplied by BNAC.

A cleaner that does not make oil separation harder

Marine customers needed a bilge and deck cleaner that could do the job without emulsifying oil into the water, which makes separation harder and can require extra treatment chemicals. BNAC developed a cleaner around that specific need.

“Where have you been all my life?”

Long-life, biodegradable hydraulic fluids for water infrastructure

BNAC has worked on long-life, biodegradable hydraulic fluids for critical water infrastructure, including dams and filtration facilities, where reliability matters as much as environmental performance.

A reference letter from the plant floor

In November 2005, David Johnston wrote to BNAC President Chris Richardson after BNAC developed a replacement for the caustic solution Canadian Auto Parts Toyota had been using to strip paint from wheel tooling.

“Seldom do we find people who can step right up and do what Toyota demands. Not to sound too mushy but BNAC Environmental Solutions offers the type of support Toyota North America is trying to make out of all their suppliers.”

ECO Bilge and Deck Cleaner

BC Ferries needed a bilge and deck cleaner that could deliver effective cleaning without making oil-water separation harder. When a cleaner emulsifies oil into the water, separating it for proper handling becomes more difficult and may require additional treatment chemicals. BNAC developed ECO Bilge and Deck Cleaner around that specific need: cleaning bilges and decks while allowing oil and water to separate. Readily biodegradable and oil-water separator safe, the cleaner brings together the cleaning performance marine operations need and BNAC's focus on safer, environmentally friendly chemistry. The result is a practical marine-cleaning solution built around the customer's operating requirements, rather than creating another problem downstream.