Here's a question worth asking: how much are you spending on solvents each year? And more importantly, how much of that ends up as hazardous waste?
If you're like most paint shops, the answer probably isn't comfortable. But what if you could recover up to 95% of those solvents and significantly reduce those costs? That's exactly what happens when you invest in the right solvent recycling technology.
Meet UNIC: 40+ Years of Proven Solvent Recovery Innovation
UNIC has been at the forefront of solvent recovery technology for over four decades, with thousands of installations worldwide. From compact recyclers for smaller workshops to industrial-scale systems processing hundreds of litres per hour, they've built their reputation on consistent performance.
At Ultrimax, we've spent over 50 years supporting paint shops across the UK and Ireland. When we were looking for a solvent recycling partner, UNIC was the natural choice in reducing costs and creating a more sustainable effort within paint workshops.
“After 50+ years supporting paint shops, we've seen how solvent costs quietly drain profitability. UNIC stood out for their proven track record - our customers are cutting waste collections from monthly to annual and reducing solvent purchases in half. That's why UNIC is central to our Total Paint Shop Support programme." - Giles Hoare, Managing Director at Ultrimax.
The Real Cost of Solvent Waste
Every time contaminated solvent goes into your waste drum, you're paying twice. Once for the original purchase, and again for disposal. Hazardous waste collections cost thousands of pounds per pickup, multiple times a year. Add constant purchasing of fresh solvents, growing VOC compliance pressures, and increasing regulatory scrutiny.
The traditional buy-use-dispose approach creates an ongoing drain on your budget. There's a more cost-effective solution.
How Solvent Recycling Works
Solvent recycling uses distillation to separate clean solvent from contaminants, allowing you to reuse materials you'd otherwise dispose of as hazardous waste.
The process is simple: load your contaminated solvent into the machine, which heats it to evaporation point. Clean solvent vapour is captured and condensed back into usable liquid. The small amount of contaminated residue left behind is all you need to dispose of.
Most businesses recover 90-95% of their solvents, which translates directly to reduced purchasing and disposal costs. Many operations have cut solvent purchases by half and reduced waste collections from quarterly to annual or even eliminated them entirely.
Beyond financial benefits, you're dramatically reducing VOC emissions and building genuine sustainability credentials that matter when tendering for contracts with environmentally conscious clients.
The UNIC Solvent Recycler Range: Finding Your Perfect Fit
The ideal entry point for paint shops and smaller workshops. Its compact, mobile design fits tight spaces whilst delivering 95% recovery rates with fully automatic operation. Perfect for operations processing 20-40 litres weekly.
The mid-range solution for growing operations. Built with stainless steel construction and automatic cycling, it reliably handles 100+ litres weekly. This is the go-to choice for medium-sized manufacturers and paint shop facilities.
UNIC USD200XPE (200 Litre)
Built for serious industrial operations requiring continuous use. With productivity rates of 60-300 litres per hour and bespoke build options, this system handles high-volume demands with ease.
Interested in the 200L model? Contact our team to discuss availability and custom configuration options.
UNIC Can Crushers: Reduce Container Waste by 75%
Empty paint containers take up valuable floor space and add significantly to disposal costs. UNIC's pneumatic can crushers address this with 2500kg of crushing force, handling containers up to 30 litres.
The UNIC Can Crusher reduces your container waste volume by up to 75%. What once filled multiple waste bins now occupies a fraction of the space. The benefits are tangible: reduced collection frequency, lower disposal costs, more efficient use of floor space, and straightforward pneumatic operation.
For operations going through dozens of paint containers monthly, the savings on disposal fees alone deliver fast payback.
UNIC Spray Gun Cleaners: Maintain Quality, Support Your Recovery System
Contaminated spray guns directly impact finish quality and customer satisfaction. Poor finishes mean rework and wasted materials.
UNIC Spray Gun Cleaners keep your application equipment in optimal condition, with models ranging from compact 1-gun units to premium 4-gun automatic systems. Clean guns deliver better finish quality and reduce contamination in your recycled solvents, creating an efficient closed-loop system.
Automatic cleaning cycles ensure consistent results shift after shift, saving valuable technician time. Combined with recycled solvent from your UNIC recycler, you've got a complete system that maximises efficiency whilst minimising waste.
Complete Your UNIC Setup:
- UNIC Stainless Steel Collection Tanks provide safe storage and transfer with integrated pump systems
- UNIC Diathermic Oil ensures your recycler operates at peak efficiency
Who Benefits from UNIC Solutions?
Manufacturing & Industrial Coating: High-volume operations achieve substantial cost savings and dramatically lower waste disposal costs. ROI is typically measured in months rather than years.
Woodworking & Furniture Finishing: Recycling reduces material costs whilst maintaining the high standards your work demands.
Metal Fabrication & Engineering: On-site recycling for degreasing and parts cleaning delivers lower material costs whilst demonstrating the environmental responsibility clients increasingly expect.
The Business Case: Real Numbers, Fast Returns
Reduced Disposal Costs: With a UNIC solvent recycler, you're only disposing of 5-10% of your original waste volume. That shift from quarterly collections to annual or none at all makes a significant impact.
Lower Solvent Purchasing: Recovering 95% of your solvents means buying a fraction of what you previously needed. Most businesses see purchasing drop by 50% or more within the first year.
Simplified VOC Compliance: UNIC recyclers significantly reduce your VOC emissions, often bringing you below licensing threshold levels and the associated costs.
Proven Payback Period: Most operations achieve return on investment within 12-24 months. After that point, the savings continue year after year.
“At Unic International, we are committed to manufacturing high-quality waste management and cleaning products that deliver both economic and environmental benefits to our customers. As an award-winning UK manufacturer of Spray Gun Cleaners, Solvent Recycling Systems, Can/Drum & Aerosol Crushers, Paper Compactors, Paint Can Washers, and Decorators Cleaners, we pride ourselves on innovation and sustainability. Partnering with Ultrimax was a natural and strategic decision, thanks to their extensive cross-industry reach and shared commitment to delivering value. Our partnership continues to strengthen, enabling us to provide proven solutions to the challenges faced by our industry colleagues. Together, we help end users meet VOC reduction targets, cut costs, reduce on-site storage of hazardous waste and enhance their green credentials.” - Mark Vickery (U.K Technical Account Manager)
Ready to Transform Your Solvent Costs?
Whether you're running a small workshop or a large-scale operation, UNIC offers proven solutions with 95% recovery rates to suit every business size. Through our Total Paint Shop Support programme, you get the equipment, technical expertise, and ongoing support needed to maximise your investment.
We offer flexible payment plans through IwocaPay, available only in mainland UK, with spending limits up to £30,000 that are completely interest-free - helping you invest in cost-saving equipment while maintaining healthy cash flow.
Payment options available
View our full payment policy here: https://www.ultrimaxstore.com/pages/payment-policy
Want to discuss which UNIC solution suits your operation?
Contact our Total Paint Shop Support Team today. We'll help you identify the right solution, calculate your potential savings, and ensure you're set up for success.
Visit ultrimaxstore.com or call us to discover how UNIC can reduce your costs and improve your sustainability.
The solution is proven, the savings are real, and the investment pays for itself. Don't let another month of unnecessary solvent costs pass by.