News
United Kingdom
TWP Manufacturing is a UK-based precision engineering and manufacturing company specialising in CNC-machined, pressed and moulded components, with more than 20 years' experience in presswork, injection moulding and CNC machining. Serving sectors including automotive, construction, electrical and consumer goods, the company provides integrated manufacturing solutions spanning design, tooling, production and distribution.
Operating 11 CNC machines, TWP Manufacturing has focused on improving both machining performance and workplace conditions across its operations, and has reported notable improvements in workplace cleanliness and operator comfort following the adoption of Folia and Valona metalworking fluids from TotalEnergies.
These improvements include the reduction of skin irritation previously experienced by a member of staff after switching to Folia.
Folia: a cutting-edge solution
Folia is a next-generation water-based MWF developed as an alternative to conventional oil-based cutting fluids. Designed with employee wellbeing front of mind, the product helps to reduce bacterial growth and significantly improves overall workplace cleanliness.
TWP Manufacturing was one of the first in the industry to switch to Folia, and uses the product across CNC turning machines and milling machines.
Phil Stanley, Director of TWP Manufacturing, said:
"One of the biggest differences we've noticed has been the impact on the working environment. After switching to Folia, we even saw cases of employees who previously suffered from skin irritation start to disappear. That's been a significant benefit from a health and wellbeing perspective."
Valona: cleaner by design
Valona is TotalEnergies' neat cutting oil, developed to improve machining by minimise smoke, mist and odours, extend tool life, and improve air quality for operators working alongside machining processes.
Phil Stanley, said:
"Valona has been one of the best products we've ever used. There's no smoke, there's no smell and there's no lingering after-smell in the factory. When you spend every day working alongside machining operations, those factors make a real difference to the environment people work in.”
Craig Chatburn, Technical Sales Manager for Metalworking at TotalEnergies, said:
"Manufacturers are increasingly looking beyond machining performance alone and considering the overall impact their products and processes have on employees. Folia and Valona were developed to address many of the common challenges associated with traditional metalworking fluids, including cleanliness, fluid longevity, mist, smoke and workplace hygiene. The result is a range of products that help manufacturers maintain high machining performance while supporting cleaner machines, improved workshop environments and better outcomes for the people working alongside them every day."
Supporting health and safety, driving performance
Improving health and safety standards remains a significant challenge for manufacturers, particularly in environments where employees are regularly exposed to MWFs, oil mist, smoke and odours. The Health and Safety Executive launched a campaign in 2025 to support the metalworking industry in addressing the workplace health issues which can arise from poor MWF practice. More generally, according to data from the HSE, an estimated 101,000 manufacturing workers were suffering from work-related ill health, whether new or long-standing, over the three years to end 2024/25.
The HSE and lubricant industry body UKLA recommend a range of control measures to ensure work-place safety, including health surveillance programmes and the installation of appropriate ventilation systems to reduce airborne exposure.
With employee wellbeing and MWF best practice front of mind, TotalEnergies is a leader in developing products with reduced toxicity and strong safety credentials.
By selecting products like Folia - with no pictograms and a water-based formula - and Valona - chlorine-free and specially designed with a high flash point to reduce smoke, mist and aromas – manufacturers can take a significant step forward in improving workplace environment, production line safety, and tooling performance.
FURTHER INFORMATION
TotalEnergies has more than 100 years of experience in lubricant development and continues to invest in research and development across its metalworking product range. They are the fourth -biggest oil company in the world, and the only major energy company still actively manufacturing specialist lubricants in the UK.