--- title: 3 Ways A Preventative Purging Process Improves Operations description: A preventative maintenance program, founded on proper purging processes, is key to maximizing your efficiency and profitability. 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[LinkedIn Share ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2F3-ways-a-preventative-purging-process-improves-operations&title=3%20Ways%20A%20Preventative%20Purging%20Process%20Improves%20Operations&summary=A+preventative+maintenance+program%2C+founded+on+proper+purging+processes%2C+is+key+to+maximizing+your+efficiency+and+profitability.+Learn+why.&source=) - [Pinterest Pin ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2F3-ways-a-preventative-purging-process-improves-operations) - [Email Email ](mailto:?subject=3%20Ways%20A%20Preventative%20Purging%20Process%20Improves%20Operations&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2F3-ways-a-preventative-purging-process-improves-operations) ![3 Ways A Preventative Purging Process Improves Operations](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg?width=640&height=500&name=3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg) ![3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg?width=350&name=3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg "3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg")Still many plastic processors only use purging compounds when there is a clear necessity to clean their machines. But such a purging “process” leads to increased costs and diminished profitability. Adopting proactive, preventative purging practices not only saves you considerable machine downtime in the long run, but also helps you maximize your bottom line. You simply can’t afford to  run purging compound only between difficult color or material changes or when you have detected color or carbon contamination. Consider the manufacturer who has long production runs and uses a degradation-prone resin such as PVC. Purging their machine in the middle of production runs would help them remove layers of resin that build up and degrade into carbon over time. These preventative measures cut down on the time needed to clean your machine later on, as well as on the number of times you need to perform a screw pull. Learn how taking a proactive approach improves your operations, as well as the fundamentals of an effective preventative purging process and maintenance program. ### **The 3 Biggest Benefits Of A Preventative Maintenance Program** In all industries, especially plastic processing, unanticipated problems have far-reaching repercussions. If you’re not able to plan for an issue, it’s far more likely to cut into your efficiency and your profitability. Taking a proactive approach helps you mitigate the risk of such unplanned complications. There are three essential benefits to implementing a preventative maintenance program and purging process at your facility, including: 1. Preventing the buildup of color and carbon contamination 2. Reducing excessive purging time and material waste at the end of production runs 3. Limiting the frequency of screw pulls and minimizing the time and effort required to pull and manually clean your screw ### **Adopt The** **3 Fundamentals Of An Effective ****Purging Process** Purging is only effective when you include each of the following three elements of preventative maintenance. Without them, your problems will continue to cut into your profitability. You must adopt: **1. Periodic Purging** To facilitate the quickest, most-efficient changeovers, you must purge your machines on a periodic basis. How frequently you should purge depends on the materials you’re processing, but in general, purge every two to three days to start. For production runs lasting weeks or months, purge once every week or two. Of course, you should rely on your data (such as percent defects) to determine how often you should purge as a preventative measure. Periodic preventative purging also removes deposits that tend to accumulate and contaminate over time. **2. Sealing And Shutdown** Sealing your screw and barrel with an appropriate, [thermally stable purging compound](https://asaclean.com/purging-products/) is critical during machine shutdowns. Whether during weekends or extended holidays, you must create an airtight environment to remove oxygen from your barrel and eliminate the possibility of degradation. **3. Periodic Purging Of Hot Runner Systems** Frequently purging your hot runner systems is especially important for three key reasons. 1) It helps facilitate faster changeovers, because hot runners often represent a significant portion of overall time and effort during changeovers. 2) It promotes more effective cleaning. 3) It gives you the ability to use open- or closed-molding procedures.  In order to maximize your efficiency, you must take preventative measures to maintain your machines. Reap the benefits of effective purging processes by implementing these proactive measures. **Learn more about improving your profitability with proper purging compounds and processes.** **** ** [![](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468726/interactive-161630774182.png) ](https://www.asaclean.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLi7x5cWsQuMh8Vs895RUIVSt%2BGsaKek3UUx4359z1%2B5xt%2BJ5FQ%2BOhAB8OSPwvsMlyla%2B0W%2BOww0pLA8w%2FceOytcVoGqnlQz9yJiK9G52Lk5ks7xK5yizh1SPdrXTczomGwmruiwGjK8Vc%2FZzUKk1vqruZ8S%2BFvbEb9X3ebjEPqLyYZttpgJYU83mD67INI2OvQDC6O7W2AAXVB2M5rPm0ARTi5MD9TQOkQMbulYC43KoESpczwbkH%2B&webInteractiveContentId=161630774182&portalId=468726) ** ** ** ![Tom Hanvey](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tom%20Headshot.jpg?width=150&name=Tom%20Headshot.jpg) #### [ Tom Hanvey ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/tom-hanvey) Tom Hanvey is the Associate Director of Marketing & Sustainability at Asahi Kasei Plastics North America. Before joining APNA, he worked as the Senior Marketing Manager for Asaclean Purging Compounds. He's worked in the plastics industry for over 10 years and focuses on recyclable resins and on the inbound marketing side, providing easy-to-digest content to processors looking for an edge on their competition. - [Share On LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashanvey/) ## Related Posts [![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mold-sample-4.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=mold-sample-4.jpg) Are You Processing Around Mold Problems? Troubleshooting / 3 min read / February 10, 2017 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/are-you-processing-around-mold-problems) [![Plastic pellets and molded parts with scrap material representing resin waste and production inefficiency in plastics processing.](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Hand%20Pouring%20Plastic%20Pellets%20into%20Gaylord%20Box.png?width=450&height=250&name=Hand%20Pouring%20Plastic%20Pellets%20into%20Gaylord%20Box.png) When Resin Prices Spike, Scrap Becomes Your Biggest Cost: How Processors Can Protect Margins Purging Tips / 5 min read / April 21, 2026 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/when-resin-prices-spike-scrap-becomes-your-biggest-cost-how-processors-can-protect-margins) ## Comments Get Started ## Ready to start improving your efficiency and increasing your profitability? - [Request a Consultation](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/3-ways-a-preventative-purging-process-improves-operations#) - [Contact Sales](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/3-ways-a-preventative-purging-process-improves-operations#) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/assets/images/icons/icon-layers.svg) #### Free Sample Request a free sample of Asaclean® Purging Compounds for your plant and start saving today. 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[See your savings](https://www.asaclean.com/cost-savings-calculator) [ Back to Top ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/3-ways-a-preventative-purging-process-improves-operations#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tom Hanvey", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/tom-hanvey" }, "datePublished" : "2016-10-04T11:30:00.000Z", "headline" : "3 Ways A Preventative Purging Process Improves Operations", "image" : [ "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/3-ways-a-preventative-purging-process-improves-operations", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Asaclean%20Logo%20TM.jpg" }, "name" : "Asahi Kasei Plastics North America" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "articleBody" : "Still many plastic processors only use purging compounds when there is a clear necessity to clean their machines. But such a purging “process” leads to increased costs and diminished profitability.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tom Hanvey" }, "datePublished" : "October 04, 2016", "headline" : "3 Ways A Preventative Purging Process Improves Operations", "image" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/468726/3_Ways_A_Preventative_Purging_Process_Improves_Operations.jpg", "name" : "3 Ways A Preventative Purging Process Improves Operations", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/3-ways-a-preventative-purging-process-improves-operations" } ```