A Study investigating which solvents and methods have replaced trichloroethylene (TCE) in the metal parts cleaning industry in the EU is now published.

The study was conducted by the FRAM centre of the University of Gothenburg and is based on an industry survey, distributed to former users of TCE. It concludes that the main substitute for TCE is a chemically similar substance: perchloroethylene.

TCE is a substance of very high concern (SVHC) that has been subject to REACH authorisation since 2014, with a sunset date in 2016. In this case, progressive substitution has been achieved as ECHA has not received any review reports (applications for renewed authorisation) after 2020 for using TCE in metal parts cleaning.