ADERCO 40th ANNIVERSARY
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Aderco, a leading fuel treatment technology specialist with its roots originating from the maritime sector, which commenced designing and formulating fuel treatment solutions in order to improve fuel efficiency, operational reliability and the environmental profile of the North American icebreaker fleet. Ever since, the company has continuously improved its formulations, also covering the inland mining, power generation and transportation sectors, to address evolving technologies and, in doing so, has consistently delivered the results its customers have come to expect.
In March 2014, there was a change in company ownership, which was the real catalyst that saw the company transform itself and grow from strength to strength. Olivier Baiwir CEO of Aderco said “Since this time, our company has been the first to design and formulate green and sustainable organic surfactant technology and, through extensive research and development, we have overcome fuel issues with great success, as well as developing environmentally-friendly products for the most diverse applications involving combustion engines”.
“At the very heart of this innovation, is Aderco technology, where we have also delivered evolving technologies for the entire shipping industry. The Aderco molecule uses its molecular polarities to act purely in a physical, surfactant action. Attention must still be focused on critical parameters that affect day-to-day operations. One such critical parameter is the quality of the fuel (heavy fuels, diesel or gasoil and hybrid fuels) which, today, still remains the main energy source used in marine, mining, power generation, transportation, as well as in many other industrial applications”.
With its Group Headquarters well established in Nyon, Switzerland, in addition to 40 stock and contact points stationed across the globe, Aderco has three branch offices strategically located in Belgium - from where the original European operation commenced - as well as the United Kingdom and Singapore, thereby enabling the company to respond quickly and effectively in providing global customer care and local support.
Perhaps one of the greatest impacts in the company’s 40 years history, in positive reputational terms, has been the introduction of the new IMO low sulphur regulations, which came into effect on 1st January 2020. The very build up to the low sulphur fuels deadline, involved the entire Aderco technical team guiding both ship owners and ship managers, in addition to outlining clear and concise facts regarding the importance of tank cleaning before any new fuel was added to the ship’s tanks and why the use of fuel treatments was, and still is today, so important in the maintenance and operation of marine diesel engines.
With the industry entering uncharted waters and the topic being of such great importance, Aderco produced a series of videos covering the subjects of fuel availability, fuel costs, the increased hazards during fuel changeover procedures, fuel lubricity and incompatibility of fuels, the presence of catalytic fines and contaminants, as well as the issues of insurance and indemnity cover.
Since 1st January 2020 and after what can only be described as the most successful year in the company’s history, Aderco has been extremely active in assisting ship owners, ship managers and charterers with regard to the new IMO low sulphur regulations compliance. In addition to Aderco’s normal day-to-day activities, particular focus has concentrated in offering practical solutions and help for those ships which have become affected when using low sulphur fuels. Such issues requiring to be addressed invariably relate to VLSFO quality, including the areas of total sediment, pour point, Catfines, CCAI, viscosity, acid number and chemical contaminants, with typical challenges being sticking plungers, damaged injection valves, broken rings, cracked pistons and even bent connecting rods.
In many cases, Aderco is able to help a ship suffering from fuel contamination get back to port safely, being the most effective short-term solution to engine contamination resulting from poorly blended fuels. Fuels with high sediment will result in excessive sludge in tanks which can lead to engine fuel starvation due to blocked and inefficient filters.
“Aderco today, is very much a forward-thinking company, consistently driving innovation to enhance the performance of energy transition. Modern oil distillates are blends of straight-run and chemically transformed products. Shorter shelf-life, reduced stability or rapid deterioration due to contamination and solids precipitation are increasingly common issues that directly impact the combustion process. Our unique organic fuel treatment technology delivers holistic, end-to-end solutions providing optimum results in terms of efficiency, economy and, above all, the environment” said Baiwir.
Aderco’s developing strategy for 2021, is to build upon the expertise developed over many years in the marine sector and use this very knowledge to invest and expand the mining, power generation, transportation, as well as other industrial sectors. Furthermore, the latest generation of Aderco fuel treatment technology represents a unique, immediate and easy route to address complex issues associated with fuel quality.
Without exception, all Aderco products are environmentally-friendly, unleashing the power of a 100 per cent vegetal-organic, ashless, solvent-free and metal-free molecule. These fully organic products are the benchmark of next-generation fuel treatments and, combined with the continuous advancement in research and development, each of Aderco’s solutions are effective, safe and directly support the international movement towards cleaner fuel, the end result undoubtedly being the all-important reduction in CO2 emissions.
Aderco products act as a fuel detergent. In addition to improving the carbon footprint, the technology provides proven and clear returns for its customers in terms of reducing operational costs, through the reduction of fuel consumption, optimizing fuel combustion and preventing unscheduled downtime, as well as protecting machinery and equipment, thereby ensuring capital expenditure is kept well under control.
“We believe it is possible to make meaningful progress in mastering organic surfactant technology, to reduce global emissions whilst embracing the power of optimized fuel-based energy. Fuel remains an essential part of global trade and logistics and will likely continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Our ambition is to fully support these industries, including the use of bio-fuels, whilst striving for greater sustainability and environmental security” added Baiwir.
Very recently, Aderco was notified that for their submission entitled Driving Innovation to Enhance the Performance of Energy Transition, the company had been shortlisted as a nominee entrant for the Green4Sea 2021 Clean Shipping Award. The virtual forum, aiming at a target group of technical, safety, operations & marine departments of ship operators and other industry stakeholders, followed by the award ceremony and announcement of winners, will take place towards the end of April. “With the high quality level of the shortlisted nominee entrants, no doubt this will be a close call. Nevertheless, given the considerable effort and passion shown by a very close-knit team over many years, we are keeping our fingers crossed” added Baiwir.
Olivier Baiwir stated that “Fifteen per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions result from deforestation. Our commitment to providing green solutions to the marketplace is extremely important to us. In fact, so much so, that this has been embedded within the ethos of Aderco. Reducing emissions and improving energy is one step towards a more sustainable community. As we are concerned about our environment and planet, with the help of the environmental charity One Tree Planted, we are planting 1,000 trees around the world every semester”.
“We are equally concerned for our oceans and, it is for this reason, we support the foundation Race for Water to fight against plastic pollution in our oceans around the world, as well as Ocean Purpose Project, with its goal to solve the ocean plastic crisis and promote ocean conservation at scale, including coral reforestation. Last but certainly not least, we support Mercy Ships, the international charity which currently operates the largest non-governmental hospital ships in the world providing humanitarian aid”.
“Classified as non-hazardous, Aderco has successfully treated an incredible 40 Billion tonnes of fuels over the past 40 years. As a leading company in our sector, we believe it’s vitally important to not only share our values but to live them out also. Environmental sustainability is one of the key topics and issues that we strive to address internally every day in terms of our products. I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past 40 years and, in close cooperation with our customers, suppliers and partners, we look forward with much enthusiasm to contributing more to our planet in the years to come.”