CUTTING FLUID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ASIAN METALWORKING INDUSTRIES: ISSUES AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Abstract
Metalworking fluids (MWFs), commonly known as cutting fluids, are extensively used in machining processes for cooling, lubrication, and chip removal. The Asia-Pacific region is the world’s largest consumer of cutting fluids, accounting for roughly 42% of global MWF demand. Major industrial economies such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, and those in Southeast Asia together represent about 95% of Asia’s metalworking fluid consumption. This heavy usage translates into enormous volumes of spent cutting fluid waste generated annually. Worldwide, the annual waste volume of used MWFs has been estimated to exceed 20 billion liters, implying that Asia produces a significant share of this total waste.
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