Completely Clean Without Chemicals: CO2-Based Cleaning at parts2clean 2025

CO2 snow blast cleaning of a circuit board © Fraunhofer IPK / Emil Klima / Cleaning a circuit board by means of CO2 snow blasting © Fraunhofer IPK / Emil Klima

Cleaning with carbon dioxide (CO2) is a promising approach to clean components dry and residue-free without the use of harmful chemicals or energy-intensive downstream processes. At parts2clean 2025 in Stuttgart, Fraunhofer IPK presented various CO2-based cleaning processes.

The regulatory framework for companies in manufacturing is becoming increasingly stringent. The European Commission‘s Zero Pollution Action Plan aims to reduce air, water, and soil pollution to a level that is harmless to health and natural ecosystems by 2050. To achieve this, toxic and or environmentally harmful substances will be gradually banned – these bans affect many cleaning chemicals.

CO2-based cleaning methods are a possible alternative. Unlike many conventional methods, CO2 blasting processes leave no residue on the cleaning object. Additionally, subsequent and often energy-intensive drying operations can be circumvented saving time and energy. The CO2 used is a byproduct obtained from other industrial processes and has a neutral carbon footprint. At parts2clean, Fraunhofer IPK presents a range of applications and possibilities offered by cleaning processes such as CO2 pellet and micro-pellet blasting, CO2 snow blasting, and high-pressure CO2 blasting.