Alchatek Blog

For hand sanitizers, the CDC website recommends a >60% ethanol, or >70% isopropyl version in healthcare settings. However, the CDC is only one agency. Comparatively speaking, the FDA will adhere to their own claims as to what is acceptable in healthcare, food processing, home use etc. And within each of these segments, there will be different approvals for different uses. For instance, a poultry plant will require specific claims to the efficacy to kill salmonella. The resulting EPA claim registration will be different for the chemical used to clean a cleaver to butcher a chicken compared to a surface on which the chickens are stored. In addition to this, the same product may have registered claims to kill 99.9% salmonella in 60 seconds, while another producer had the same claim, for the same chemical, approved with a 90-second kill claim. These could be different products at the retail level. Also, EPA approval does not constitute FDA approval, and vice versa. It’s easy to see that agency regulations can be very confusing.

Further to this, a Covid-19 kill claim does not exist. At the moment, the EPA claim that best encapsulates this effectiveness is against ‘emerging viral pathogens.’ So, if you see Covid-19 on any label, it is not authorized, however, some (very few) producers may be approved to make off-label claims.

How Do You Know What is Compliant?

The FDA has honored the WHO recommendations which Alchemy-Spetec used to officially set up our Labeler Code, and resulting National Drug Code. Deviating from this formula is not authorized. Is it possible to supply 70% IPA grade to meet the ‘CDC Healthcare’ recommendation, but we would no longer be FDA-compliant and could not use our registered NDC number on the packaging. Simply put, if sanitizers do not have an NDC number on their product, then they are not FDA-compliant. If they make Covid kill claims on the label, they are not EPA compliant. To further complicate things, there are benzalkonium chloride-based sanitizers that are not alcohol at all, yet have EPA sanitizer claims, but may not meet CDC or FDA regulations.

Hand Sanitizer is FDA Controlled

The most recognizable brands are not immune to this confusion. A quick Google search on inaccurate coronavirus kill claims will provide ample detail on some of the consumer confusion caused when an FDA-regulated company makes EPA-regulated claims. The FDA does not have any list of sanitizers that kill coronavirus. Again, this is an EPA-regulated claim for ‘emerging viral pathogens’, and more commonly used in disinfectants.

What is the Best Hand Sanitizer Formula?

All consumers want the safest, most-stringent formula on the market. WHO / FDA released the approved formulas in direct-response to Covid-19 to provide the safest formula to ensure protection against emerging pathogens. While many sanitizer products are available in the market with various alcohol concentrations and active ingredients, Alchemy-Spetec strongly recommends seeking the WHO / FDA mandated level, which is 75% IPA, found in our sanitizer. What we can say is that our current version meets the FDA / WHO regulations (although more stringent), exceeds the CDC Healthcare requirements, is manufactured and packaged at an FDA approved establishment, and is accompanied by a registered National Drug Code ID. Products that are <75%IPA, or <80% ethanol version, do not meet FDA / WHO requirements. Benzalkonium chloride versions, do not meet CDC or FDA / WHO requirements. Coronavirus kill claims on label are not EPA compliant. In this period of scarcity, Alchemy-Spetec has chosen to adhere to the FDA-regulated formula to ensure the safest and best-performing sanitizer product to all consumers.

Want to buy Alchemy-Spetec Hand Sanitizer?

The INJECTR Series single cartridge houses grout and accelerator in two separate interior compartments. The grout and accelerator are thoroughly blended when injected through the static mixer. This cartridge is compatible with standard caulk guns. Spetec PUR F400 and Spetec PUR HighFoamer are currently available in this format.

Spetec PUR F400

• Concrete crack leaks
• Pipe penetration leaks
• Hairline cold joint leaks

Spetec PUR HighFoamer

• Gushing leak control
• Void fill in wet conditions
• Semi-rigid tolerates movement

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec Leak Seal products?

One of our geotech customers in Australia, Meric Selvi at Alchemy Inject, was recently interviewed about his concrete repair business.

Alchemy Inject's parent company Antidote Remedial is a remedial building company which was established in 2007. Over the last decade the business has grown to become a team of licensed skilled trades including builders, tilers, painters, plumbers and concreters with a diverse background and a common passion for delivering the best results for their clients.

Antidote/Alchemy Inject is dedicated to providing exceptional levels of service to their clients. Their team is made up of skilled licensed tradespeople, plus admin staff and certified project managers to make sure the projects are completed on time, on budget and to a high quality.

Based in Manly, Australia, they operate throughout the Sydney metro area. They recently posted a great 10 minute video interview with Alchemy Inject owner Meric Selvi.  Enjoy this profile of their slab lifting business, Alchemy Inject.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

This blog post features Episode 2 of Alchemy-Spetec's The Injection Connection podcast.

This is a presentation given to an engineering firm regarding the new patented leak seal QA/QC system The QP Factor: the first patented method to quantify leak seal grouting and leak seal effectiveness.

As mentioned in our previous post on this system...

The method of testing requires additional drill holes to be placed at pre-determined locations along the crack, joint, or substrate being sealed. Prior to injection of chemical grouts such as Spetec PUR F400, Spetec PUR HighFoamer, or Spetec PUR GT500, the test hole is connected to a digital touch-screen device that is calibrated to provide water pressure, flow, and flow/pressure information that is extractable in excel format from a convenient USB port.  Following initial testing, the test port is then plugged during chemical grouting operations to avoid false-positive results after injection. 

The presentation was first unveiled at the International Concrete Repair Institute, National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2019. Due to the context, there may be some points that seem a little abstract to the average viewer. If you have questions or need more details, please call Alchemy-Spetec at 404-618-0438.

Want more information on The QP Factor?

Greetings from World of Concrete 2020!  Today marks the beginning of the show and we're going the extra mile this year to make sure both Leak Seal and Geotech interests are served to the fullest extent possible.  We have an entire booth dedicated to the Leak Seal Division & Product Line in the South Hall at location S11307.  We have entire outdoor exhibit space dedicated to the Geotech Division & Product Line in the Silver Lots at location O40551.  Each booth is staffed by product and application experts ready to talk to you about infrastructure repair!

The Leak Seal Division

The Alchemy-Spetec Leak Seal Product Line combines a full-system offering of polymer chemical grouts and equipment with the most experienced technical team in the industry. For any concrete leak seal application, lean on the Alchemy-Spetec team for phone, field, or engineering support. Our growing network of Regional Managers, Independent Representation, and Nationwide Distribution offers industry professionals many levels of opportunity worth discussing with our team. Consultants at Alchemy-Spetec pride themselves on rapid, powerful, and painless scheduling of field and technical support. We invite all attendees to inquire about our bi-annual factory training held at the Tucker, GA-based manufacturing facility where they can learn from the 20+ year average industry experience of our Regional Management and Technical Team.

The Geotech Division

The Alchemy-Spetec Geotech Product Line offers industry-leading quality, full chemical grout lifting rig training and support, and unmatched contractor support in the field and with sales and marketing. Stop by our outdoor booth to see live slab lifting demos and to learn about some of the tangible benefits of joining the Alchemy-Spetec network of geotech contractors. The Alchemy-Spetec MixMaster Pro Gun is a maintenance and production cost-saver for any lifting contractor, while the flagship lifting foams have helped many contractors reduce volume usage while eliminating call-backs. From the Polybadger machine that fits into a pickup truck, to custom boxtruck and trailer rig buildouts, Alchemy-Spetec has successfully positioned themselves as an industry-leading geotechnical chemical grout supplier. With the additions of ground penetrating radar and penetrometer equipment and support, Alchemy-Spetec is truly on the cutting-edge of the chemical grouting industry.

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

World of Concrete 2020 is next week - February 4th through 7th, 2020 in Las Vegas, NV. 

Consult with the industry's premier infrastructure repair experts at our Leak Seal Division Exhibit in the South Hall at location S11307 and our Geotech Division Exhibit in the Silver Lots at location O40551.  Each exhibit will be staffed by experienced professionals in each respective product line.  

Leak Seal Division Booth - South Hall

The Leak Seal exhibit features a presentation/demo stage with comfortable chairs for audience members and a separate meeting area for in-depth discussions with knowledgeable experts.  You can look forward to the following educational activities:

• Polyurethane Leak Seal Overview Presentation
• Crack Injection Demos
• Crack Injection Presentations
• Curtain Grouting Demos
• Curtain Grouting Presentations
• Polyurethane Product Mixing Demos
• Acrylic Grout Presentation & Demo

Geotech Division Booth - Silver Lots

The Geotech exhibit features a fully equipped 20-foot lifting rig, a Polybadger compact slab lifting system, and a row of concrete slabs for live lifting.  You can look forward to the following educational activities:

• Slab Lifting Demos
• Lifting Foam Product Mixing Demos
• MixMaster Gun Cleaning Demos
• Fully Equipped Rig Tours
• Polybadger Demos

We look forward to discussing infrastructure repair with you!  If you want, you can even schedule a consultation in advance.

In a breaking industry event, Alchemy-Spetec is the first chemical grouting manufacturer to offer the patented Leak Seal quality assurance system, QP Factor™.  Currently, the new system is offered only through the Alchemy-Spetec Leak Seal Division.  The QP Factor™ system offers quantifiable water flow, pressure, and flow/pressure metrics before and after leak seal injection that will provide clients, contractors, and design professionals the industry’s first patented method for proving Leak Seal success. 

The method of testing requires additional drill holes to be placed at pre-determined locations along the crack, joint, or substrate being sealed. Prior to injection of chemical grouts such as Spetec PUR F400, Spetec PUR HighFoamer, or Spetec PUR GT500, the test hole is connected to a digital touch-screen device that is calibrated to provide water pressure, flow, and flow/pressure information that is extractable in excel format from a convenient USB port.   Following initial testing, the test port is then plugged during chemical grouting operations to avoid false-positive results after injection. 

Chemical grouting is then performed per Alchemy-Spetec Field Services Department recommendations.  After grouting is completed, the plug is removed from the test hole, and the water tests are taken again for comparison to the initial test.  The difference in results represent the quantifiable performance increase in leak seal capacity within the substrate. 

For more information on the QP Factor™ system, or for licensing options for use of the patented method in the field, please contact one of our knowledgeable representatives at 404-618-0438. 

Want a list of key features?

Leak Seal & Geotech Products & Procedures

March 18th & 19th, 2020 at Alchemy-Spetec HQ in Tucker, GA

Get ready for a thorough education in Leak Seal, Slab Lifting, Soil Stabilization and the Alchemy-Spetec Deep Lift™ process. You’ll get hands-on training from a technical staff with decades of on-the-job experience.

Wednesday - Leak Seal

• Leak Seal Product Line Overview
• Curtain Grouting
• Permeation Grouting
• Leak-Seal Product Mixing
• Pump & Packer Overviews
• Leak-Seal Accessories
• Municipal Applications
• Live Injection Demos
• Open Discussions

Thursday - Geotech

• Geotech Product Line Overview
• Soil Stabilization
• Geotech Product Mixing
• Rig & Mobile System Overviews
• Geotechnical Accessories
• Slab Lifting Live Demo
• Deep Lift™ Overview
• Soil Testing with the
• GPR & Penetrometer
• Maintenance Discussions
• Pricing / Estimating / Cost Savings
• Open Discussions

Alchemy-Spetec's Geotechnical consultant Andy Powell and Bayset Specialist Trade Suppliers recently conducted Geotechnical concrete repair training programs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Australia. 

The training agenda included:

• Geotech Product Line Overview
• Soil Stabilization
• Geotech Product Mixing
• Rig & Mobile System Overviews
• Geotechnical Accessories
• Slab Lifting Live Demo
• Deep Lift™ Overview
• Maintenance Discussions
• Pricing / Estimating / Cost Savings
• Open Discussions

We'd like to thank Bayset and Andy Powell for working together to get contractors down under trained in the use of polyurethane for slab lifting, soil stabilization and the Deep Lift™ process!

Want information on future Alchemy-Spetec training opportunities?