Customized solutions for the chemical industry
In the chemical industry, enclosures and control cabinets are far more than just protective housings—they are a critical component of every process plant. Acids, alkalis, solvents, and corrosive atmospheres attack materials that would otherwise withstand years of use elsewhere. Added to this are mechanical stresses caused by piping vibrations, temperature gradients on reactors, and aggressive cleaning methods used in plant maintenance.
The implication for enclosure selection is clear: standard materials are out of the question. What matters are chemical-resistant materials, the correct type rating for the specific plant area—and a manufacturer who understands the differences.
häwa develops and manufactures precisely these solutions: mechanically pre-assembled according to your design specifications, using materials that are actually compatible with your process media, and with expert guidance to help you navigate the material selection process—before the wrong enclosure turns into a costly misinvestment.
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Type Ratings for the Chemical Industry: Using IP Ratings Safely
In the chemical industry, selecting the correct type rating according to IEC 60529 is crucial for the service life of control systems. Dust, splashing water, cleaning agents, and vapors can cause permanent damage to electronics—if the enclosure does not provide the appropriate level of protection.
Consistency Over Compromise
The choice of material determines how long an enclosure will function reliably under chemical stress. häwa offers all relevant materials from a single source—tailored to your process media, environmental conditions, and cleaning requirements.
V4A Stainless Steel (1.4404 / AISI 316L)
Resistant to chlorides, chlorine-containing media, and strongly oxidizing substances. Smooth, easy-to-clean surface finish. Ideal where chemical resistance and mechanical robustness are equally required. Performs better than V2A when exposed to chlorine-containing cleaning agents and saline atmospheres.
Stainless Steel V2A (1.4301 / AISI 304)
Robust, corrosion-resistant standard solution for less aggressive chemical environments. Good value for money for general chemical applications, control rooms, and outdoor installations without chloride-containing media.
Aluminum (anodised)
Lightweight, thermally conductive, resistant to many organic chemicals. Suitable for machine control enclosures, mobile applications, and areas without strong acids or alkalis. Anodised surface finish provides additional corrosion protection.
Powder Coated Steel
For areas with low chemical exposure, such as control rooms, switchgear rooms, and dry zones. Cost-effective, available in custom colors (RAL), and robust against mechanical stress.
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Additional häwa solutions for the Chemical Industry
häwa delivers far more than just individual enclosures—from fully pre-assembled control cabinet systems to support arms and operator consoles, up to integrated climate control solutions. Everything from a single source, perfectly coordinated.
Cabinet systems: chemical-resistant, pre-assembled, compliant with standards
Free-standing cabinets, modular cabinets, and wall-mounted cabinets made of steel or stainless steel—mechanically pre-assembled according to your engineering specifications. häwa handles cutouts, cable passages, mounting rails, and the grounding design before the electronics are installed. This significantly reduces installation effort and minimizes potential sources of error.
Your benefits at a glance:
- V4A stainless steel for chloride-containing environments and corrosive atmospheres
- Mechanically pre-assembled – reduces effort in control cabinet construction
- Special dimensions and custom cutout patterns available upon request
- Type ratings IP54 up to IP69K – selectable based on cleaning requirements
- UL approval for international projects available upon request
Field Device Enclosures and Junction Boxes for Process Instrumentation
Process instrumentation is mounted directly on the medium in pipelines, tanks, and plant components. häwa supplies junction boxes, wall-mount enclosures, and field enclosures in chemical-resistant versions—space-saving, easy to maintain, and with the type ratings required for each specific application.
Typical applications:
- Junction boxes for instrumentation connections on tanks and pipes
- Multicore cables at the field level
- Wall-mount enclosures for local control stations directly on the plant
Protective housings for pressure transmitters, temperature sensors, and analyzers
Mounting Arm Systems and Operator Consoles for Chemical Plants
At production and process facilities, operators need direct, ergonomic access to control and visualization systems. häwa mounting arm systems and operator consoles position displays, keyboards, and control elements exactly where they are needed—swivel-mounted, height-adjustable, and available in chemical-resistant versions.
Typical applications:
- Operator panels at filling and dosing stations
- Visualization stations for process control systems (DCS/SCADA)
- Mobile operator stations on casters for flexible plant design
- Local operator stations directly at reactors or tanks
Climate Control: Consistent Temperatures Even in Demanding Environments
Chemical plants often operate under high ambient temperatures, intense heat radiation, or fluctuating climatic conditions. häwa provides customized climate control solutions that reliably maintain the temperature inside the control cabinet within the safe operating range of the electronics.
Air Conditioning Options for the Chemical Industry:
- Filter fans and heat exchangers for dry areas
- Air conditioners for high power dissipation (e.g., variable frequency drives, circuit breakers)
- Heaters for outdoor installations and cold areas
- Humidity controllers to prevent condensation in humid process environments
- Combined heating/cooling solutions for year-round outdoor operation
The suitable products from häwa
FAQ
A: For applications involving hydrochloric acid (HCl) or chloride-containing media, häwa recommends V4A stainless steel (grade 1.4404 / AISI 316L). Standard V2A (1.4301) is significantly less resistant to chlorides—pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion are typical forms of damage. V4A is particularly suitable where additional mechanical robustness is required. The specific material recommendation depends on the concentration, temperature, and duration of exposure—häwa will be happy to advise you based on your list of media.
A: That depends on the intensity of the cleaning process. For areas where cleaning involves simple hosing off or spray mist, IP65 is generally sufficient. For targeted water jets (hose or low-pressure/high-pressure washers), we recommend IP66. For high-pressure cleaning at pressures exceeding approximately 80 bar and/or temperatures above 60 °C, IP69K is required. Our consulting team will help you determine the suitable type rating for your specific cleaning process.
A: Yes, that’s one of häwa’s key value-added services. Based on your documentation — layouts, cable lists, and cutout templates — häwa mechanically assembles the cabinet: milling cutouts, installing cable passages, mounting mounting rails, and implementing the grounding plan. The cabinet arrives at your site fully prepared, with only the electronics left to install. This saves a significant amount of assembly time and reduces the potential for errors on the job site.
A: IP66 protects against powerful water jets from any direction — suitable for hose irrigation and standard pressure washing. IP69K goes significantly further: The enclosure withstands high-pressure steam jet cleaning at up to 100 bar and 80 °C. IP69K is always required when working with high-pressure cleaners — this is the standard in wet chemical processes, in CIP-related areas, and in industries with strict hygiene regulations. For all other chemical applications involving normal hose or spray cleaning, IP66 is generally sufficient.
The best control cabinets and enclosures are not produced on an assembly line, but through close dialog with our customers. Are you ready to begin?
Then contact your personal häwa consultant today.
