The Master of reinvention
John Colvin is no stranger to reinvention, rather he thrives in it.
If he is not diversifying, shaking things up or using a moment of change to his advantage he isn’t succeeding.
Prochem Group of Companies is a family -owned business that provides a range of services to the industrial and resource sector.
Part of their work is to help large scale mining companies with their environmental and truck maintenance challenges on minesites in the Bowen, Galilee and Surat Basins. Part of the work involves supplying new and removing old engine coolant.
“I have always looked at things and thought how I could do it or make it better, you either like the process or you don’t.”
Prochem Group of Companies Managing Director John has been in business for more than 30 years and in that time has made reinvention a vital pivot in his business plan.
Prochem Group of Companies Managing Director John has been in business for more than 30 years and in that time has made reinvention a vital pivot in his business plan.
So much so, that even his most successful creation, can be linked to the art of reinvention- Coolant Recycling Technology.
Beginning with lubrication systems and haulage, Prochem later expanded to include environmental services such as water treatment, recycling, waste disposal and bioremediation.
Over the years, Prochem has continued to embrace entrepreneurial opportunities.
“If we don’t change, we won’t be here.
“They tell you not to work in your business, but on it, but sometimes you have to be inside looking out. I watch what companies are doing and what direction they are heading.
“I do like things that are not the norm,” John said.
Along with creating an industry-first recycling system for spent engine coolant, John and his team have also been able to expand into mechanical repairs, auto electrical and hydraulic services, fleet maintenance, warehousing, distribution, and a wide range of environmental services.
John said truck radiators can hold up to 1,200 litres of coolant each and Prochem has made it their mission to find better solutions for mine site environmental management challenges.
The story begins when John and his team stuck up the idea to re-purpose the waste coolant after working on a project to improve vehicle cleaning.
“We were installing wastewater collection and treatment systems at a Bowen Basin Mine and noticed that when spent coolant was discharged into the untreated oily wastewater stream the waste stream immediately changed colour to a vivid red which contaminated the waste stream and as we were unable to remove the dye from the waste stream without using an expensive chemical treatment process.
“The best method to stop the contamination of the waste stream was to ensure all spent coolant was extracted directly from the cooling system and pumped into a dedicated waste tank for offsite disposal”
Prochem supplied a proprietary and environmentally friendly vehicle wash and began to look at how they could repurpose the truck’s radiator coolant to prevent further damage and costs.
“We have manufactured and supplied industrial cleaning to industry for about 20 years and we were aware that the ingredients in most environmentally friendly coolant packages were also good cleaners as they are designed to protect hot and cold multi metal surfaces from corrosion, pitting, system cavitation, soldier bloom, etc.
“It was during this process that the product Coolwash was developed, a recycled, biodegradable, cleaning detergent that provides protection against corrosion,” John said.
Prochem supplied a proprietary and environmentally friendly vehicle wash and began to look at how they could repurpose the truck’s radiator coolant to prevent further damage and costs.
From there, John’s commitment to sustainability and environmental management led him to apply for Innovation Connections grants from the Department of Industry Science Energy and Resources, in collaboration with Innovations Connections facilitator Mario Martini and Professor Peter Junk and his team from James Cook University (JCU).
It was during this process where 85% of spent coolant is recovered during the recycling process which is then available to be blended into Coolwash.
Coolwash is safe on metal surfaces, chrome or paintwork, meets ADF Code, and can be diluted and used in automated truck and vehicle Light Vehicle cleaning system, increasing the lifespan of plant and equipment.
“It’s great as we’ve developed a good working relationship with JCU and now have a safe product that’s scientifically tested right out of regional Queensland,” John said
Testing various dilutions of truck wash with different ph water levels, the JCU team refined the most efficient combination of Coolwash and water type that delivers the least corrosion.
The process innovation enables a more efficient and environmentally friendly reclamation and reuse system with 85-90% of the onsite spent coolant recovered. The problem waste stream can now be recycled into Coolwash and when combined with Prochem’s fully automated tamper proof dilution system, significantly reduces infrastructure costs and contaminant levels entering treatment systems.
When it comes to innovation, for John, you cannot have it without diversification, and it is the reason he is always looking to update and create new and better products.
“I have always looked at things and thought how I could do it or make it better, you either like the process or you don’t.
“We are continually living with change and businesses need to continually evolve so that they meet customer expectations.
“It is about continuing to look at yourself and your business. It is about finding help and expertise from others.”
Prochem is ready to roll-out Coolwash, focusing on growing their customer base in this area and ramping up production in Mackay, to keep jobs local. John is continuously on the lookout for opportunities to grow the business, capitalising on industry trends,
“There is a strong push globally towards sustainable resource use,” he said.
For more information visit: https://prochemagencies.com/
