From 1978 to now - the evolution of Rochem FYREWASH®

Today, you may know Rochem as a global leader in gas turbine and process compressor cleaning solutions. However, you may be surprised to learn that the company originally began as a specialist in marine water treatment.

We’re taking a look back at the evolution of Rochem FYREWASH® to retrace our path to the organization we are today.

1973 – Rochem Group founded

Rochem Group was first established to focus on water, wastewater, and chemical treatment solutions for marine environments. Distribution was quickly expanded to 55 of the world’s major ports, creating both international reach and strong industry recognition.

1978 – Rochem FYREWASH® Ltd founded

As part of the company, which continued to advance groundbreaking reverse osmosis water treatment technology for maritime clients, Rochem FYREWASH® Ltd (part of the Rochem Technical Services Group) was formed to support the growing demand for efficiency-improving systems for gas turbines, both onshore and offshore. Our attention centered particularly on on-line and off-line compressor cleaning solutions and specialized cleaning chemicals.

1980s – Rapid development and increased demand

During the 1980s, the UK experienced a significant expansion of the offshore oil and gas sector, resulting in a large number of gas turbines being installed. Maintaining reliable turbine output became essential, and these facilities required advanced cleaning solutions to preserve performance. We were ready to meet this demand and soon became a trusted supplier of cleaning technology and services.

– FYREWASH® SB developed

Recognizing a need for a cleaning chemical that was both safe and highly effective, we applied our industry knowledge to develop a specialized cleaning formula. FYREWASH® SB became the first hydrocarbon solvent-based chemical designed specifically for both on-line and off-line gas turbine compressor cleaning. This innovation set a new industry standard.

– Introduction of specialist nozzles

While providing advanced chemical solutions made a major impact, we understood that achieving full cleaning efficiency required an equally precise delivery method. The next major advancement was the development of specialized delivery systems. We began engineering patented nozzles capable of finely atomizing cleaning fluids and delivering controlled spray patterns during both on-line and off-line washing.

1984 – Breaking the American market

In 1984, we introduced our compressor cleaning systems and FYREWASH® chemical range to the United States, where they were rapidly adopted and widely implemented. Since then, our global presence has continued to grow, and our systems are now used on more than 15,000 gas turbines worldwide.

1990s – present day – Expansion of the FYREWASH® range

Since the success of the original FYREWASH® products, we have expanded the product family to address a wide variety of operational environments and customer needs. The range now includes environmentally sensitive products, low-foaming formulations, a Rolls-Royce specified formulation, and more. Suitable for both on-line and off-line cleaning, these pioneering chemicals have helped countless operators restore lost power and improve gas turbine efficiency.

Today – Market leading products and unrivalled specialist knowledge

Looking back over the years, it is remarkable to see the progress and growth that has shaped Rochem FYREWASH®. Since establishing ourselves as specialists in gas turbine compressor cleaning, we remain proud of our innovation and proven track record.

Our systems have been installed on over 15,000 gas turbines, with approximately 300 new installations added each year.

We are trusted by major turbine manufacturers, including General Electric, Siemens Energy, Fiat, European Gas Turbines, and Stewart & Stevenson. Solar Turbines, BHGE and Kawasaki.

Our patented nozzle systems are recognized for their high atomization, low flow rates, and erosion-free spray characteristics, enabling effective cleaning with minimal chemical use.

Our FYREWASH® chemical range meets the needs of customers in a wide range of environments, including those with challenging or specialized cleaning requirements.

The story continues…

We take pride in being innovators within our industry and continuously look for opportunities to better support our customers. Our innovative chemists work proactively as environmental and regulatory standards evolve, ensuring that our products remain both effective and responsible. We also continue to expand into new markets, making our systems and solutions accessible to operators around the world.

With offices located across Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia, our teams are always available to assist customers with questions and support needs.

Get in touch

We hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look back at how Rochem FYREWASH® has developed over the years. While we take great pride in our heritage, we remain focused on innovation and the future of compressor cleaning.

If you’d like information about any of our products or services, please get in touch with us. Our knowledgeable team is always happy to help.

References:

1. Rochem ‘50 Years’ handout
2. https://www.rts-rochem.de/our-products/fyrewash-chemicals/chemicals/fyrewash-sb/
3. https://www.bizseek.co.uk/rochem-technical-services-europe-ltd_11-01962-890089
4. https://www.rochem-fyrewash.com/about-us/
5. https://www.rochem-fyrewash.com/rochem-products/gas-turbine-compressor-cleaning-nozzles/