How Maratek Helped a Cabinet Manufacturer Save on Solvent Costs and Boost Sustainability

At Maratek, we are dedicated to helping manufacturers across North America improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet sustainability goals through innovative solvent recycling and recovery solutions.

One sector that greatly benefits from solvent recovery is cabinet manufacturing, where solvents are essential for finishing, cleaning, and degreasing processes. However, rising costs of virgin solvents and increasing waste disposal challenges are prompting many cabinet manufacturers to seek smarter alternatives.

Here’s how Maratek partnered with a leading U.S.-based cabinet manufacturer to solve persistent solvent management issues—resulting in increased efficiency, major cost savings, and a greener operation.

The Challenge: Inefficient Solvent Use and Waste Management

This high-volume cabinet manufacturer was struggling with an outdated recovery system that couldn’t keep up with daily production needs. The existing equipment:

• Fell short of the 300 gallons per day required for waste processing
• Couldn’t handle acidic waste streams effectively
• Struggled with high sludge volumes from paint and lacquer overspray
• Required constant manual intervention, increasing downtime and labour costs

To meet growing production demands, the client was forced to purchase large quantities of expensive virgin solvents—a costly and unsustainable practice.

The Solution: Maratek SSC-40 – Engineered for Cabinet Manufacturing

Maratek designed and installed the SSC-40, a fully automated solvent recycling system built for high-capacity, industrial-grade environments like cabinet and furniture manufacturing.

Key System Highlights:

• Capacity: Processes 400–500 gallons per day, exceeding the client's original requirement
• Recovery Efficiency: Recycles up to 95% of used solvents
• Construction: Durable 304 stainless steel designed for corrosive and high-sludge conditions
• Automation: PLC-controlled system for hands-off operation
• Custom Integration: Tailored for the client’s facility and solvent stream characteristics
  
  

This robust, plug-and-play system not only met the client’s production needs—it future-proofed their operations.

Why the Cabinet Manufacturer Chose Maratek

The client selected Maratek for our:

• Custom-engineered systems tailored to the demands of paint, stain, and lacquer solvent recovery
• Deep industry knowledge and decades of expertise
• Proven ability to design turnkey systems with low maintenance and minimal operator input
• Full-service support, from system design to commissioning and training

Our SSC-series systems are built specifically for industries with high solvent usage and tough operating conditions—like cabinet and millwork production.

Key Benefits and Results

By switching to the Maratek SSC-40, the client achieved:

✅ Increased Recovery Efficiency

Internal heating coils delivered faster and more consistent heat transfer, improving solvent purity and recovery rates.

✅ Minimal Maintenance Downtime

A high-pressure self-cleaning system prevented sludge buildup and reduced system wear—maximizing uptime and extending equipment lifespan.

✅ Operator-Free Performance

An advanced PLC interface offered intuitive controls, automatic cycles, and remote monitoring options, reducing labour input and error risk.

✅ Superior Particulate Removal

A built-in mist eliminator ensured zero particulate carryover into the recovered solvent—critical for reuse in fine finishing applications.

✅ Temperature Stability and Safety

A thermal oil cooling system provided safe, efficient temperature regulation to prevent flash boiling and ensure smooth operation in high-heat environments.

✅ Certifications & Quality Assurance

Built to the highest industry standards, including Metlab-certified safety and quality compliance.

Business Impact

The cabinet manufacturer saw immediate and long-term benefits:

• Reduced dependency on virgin solvents, cutting chemical purchasing costs significantly
• Lower hazardous waste volumes, reducing disposal costs and regulatory risk
• Improved environmental performance, aligning with corporate sustainability initiatives
• Enhanced operational reliability, enabling uninterrupted production cycles

The SSC-40 quickly proved to be a cost-effective investment, delivering ROI through daily solvent savings, operational efficiency, and reduced waste.

A Smarter Way Forward for Cabinet Manufacturers

Solvent recycling isn’t just a cost-saving strategy—it’s a smart, scalable solution that supports sustainable manufacturing in today’s competitive cabinetmaking industry. Whether you’re working with paints, stains, thinners, or acetone-based cleaning solvents, Maratek can design a system that fits your needs and grows with your business.

Let’s Talk About Your Solvent Challenges

If you're facing rising solvent costs, excessive waste, or compliance concerns in your cabinet or woodworking operation, Maratek can help.

Contact our team today to discover how our award-winning solvent recovery systems can improve efficiency, reduce overhead, and contribute to a cleaner, greener future for your business.