When processors reach out to us, they usually have three things on their minds: faster color changeovers, reducing scrap rates, and pricing. If you’re reading this, chances are pricing is top of mind for you, too.
We get it. Budgets are tight, and on the surface, purging compounds might look expensive. But here’s the truth: while Asaclean® may cost more per pound than virgin resin or regrind, it saves you far more in the long run. In fact, once you understand the true cost of purging, you may realize that you can’t afford not to use Asaclean®.
Clearing Up a Common Misconception
Many process engineers and purchasing teams think they’re saving money by skipping purging compounds. They choose regrind or virgin resin because the upfront price looks lower. But the goal of purging isn’t just to push out old material—it’s to clean your machine, your hot runner, and your die thoroughly and quickly so you can get back into production faster.
Regrind and virgin resin simply aren’t designed to do that.
A common result of using those lower-cost options is slower changeovers, more scrap, more defects, and increased downtime. In many cases, these issues also delay deliveries, create bottlenecks, and put unnecessary stress on your team. So, while the cost-per-pound might seem low, the cost-per-purge is significantly higher—and that’s the number that really matters.
What a Plant Manager Learned the Hard Way
“For most of my career, I wasn’t purging properly,” says Roger, a Plant Manager at a custom molder in the Southwest. “I didn’t understand why it was important. Once I learned from Asaclean®, it changed my whole perspective. Now that I’m responsible for my company’s P&Ls, I understand how much money Asaclean® actually saves me—and I’m not scared off by the higher price-per-pound. Many buyers don’t look past the sticker price to see how far the savings exceed the cost.”
That mindset shift has been key for countless facilities like Roger’s.
Cost-per-Purge vs. Cost-per-Pound
If you’re using 3–5 times the amount of cheap resin to get a machine clean—and still producing scrap or black specks—you’re not saving money. You’re increasing your costs while reducing throughput and risking quality.
In contrast, Asaclean® customers routinely use less material, clean faster, and waste fewer parts. That efficiency translates directly into real savings and better margins.
One tier-one automotive supplier in Wisconsin documented savings of $75,000 per year from reduced setup time and scrap after switching to Asaclean®. They expect that number to double to $150,000 annually once implementation expands plant-wide.
Purging That Pays for Itself
Asaclean® offers a variety of grades tailored to your specific challenges, whether you’re molding complex parts or extruding demanding materials. Our products are priced fairly, and they are designed to save you more than they cost. You’ll see fewer defects, faster changeovers, and more consistent performance across the board.
Not sure how to quantify the savings at your own facility? Our Cost Savings Calculator takes into account real data from hundreds of actual customer applications. With just a few inputs, you can estimate how much Asaclean® can help your operation.
Final Thoughts
Purging compounds are not an expense. They’re an investment in uptime, quality, and profitability. The next time someone questions whether Asaclean® is worth the price, remember this: the cost-per-pound is irrelevant if your cost-per-purge is through the roof.
Want to see how much you could save? Let us walk you through it—with numbers, not just claims.