HWS - ipros

Herbicide-free
vegetation control
Weed control
» ecological, flexible, effective
» herbicide-free
» surface and environment friendly
» lasting protection through
deep action
» weather insensitive
» surfaces up to 800 m² per hour
with the ipros HWS process
Made in Germany
www.ipros.de

HWS – HotWater & Foam
Description of the HotWater & Foam (HWS) System
With the ipros HWS system, water is heated up to nearly 100°C and then
applied to the area to be treated using an application unit. There, the hot
water is covered with an insulating foam carpet. Due to the foam, the heat
at a temperature of at least 90°C acts on the plant surface for a number
of seconds (up to 90 seconds). As a result, the sections of the plant above
ground are killed off as well as the upper section of the roots with attached
vegetation. Dying-back of vegetation is clearly visible after just a short
period of time: plants treated with the HWS System immediately make a
„withered“ impression. Depending on the extent of weed infestation, treatment
may have to be repeated several times in the first year. A considerable
reduction in applications is already possible in the second year because
of the lasting effect.
Surface and environment friendly
The action of the thermal process on
plants is based on three effects:
»
»
»
the cell walls burst as a result of
the rapid rise in temperature
the protein in the cells coagulates
at temperatures above 42°C
the cuticula is damaged by
the heat
left: HWS 26 on a trailer
below: the small and mobile HWS 9 design
1. Weeds running riot 2. Treatment with HWS 3. After the treatment 4. Gone!

The way the HWS system works
The way the HWS system works
In order for the system to work reliably, the vegetation to be treated has to be subjected to a temperature
of at least 42°C for a short period of time, depending on the type of vegetation. The denaturation of the
protein is caused by the hot water, the foam carpet only acts as an insulating layer.
The surface tension of the water has to be lowered in order to be able to create the foam. This is achieved
by mixing a product on the basis of sugar tenside with air into a dry foam. With this product, both the fatty
alcohol and the sugar content come from native (vegetable) raw materials, meaning that the product is
based completely on renewable raw materials.
The foam is not sweet and there does not attract any insects (e.g. ants, wasps etc.).
Top: Untreated surfaces
Bottom: Weeds killed by HWS
With weeds, we get to the root of the problem

Areas of use for HWS
Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
is a species that has migrated into Germany from South-Eastern
Europe and in the last few decades has spread increasingly in
ruderal locations, along waysides, motorway, riverbanks and in
forest clearings.
The plant does not only restrict native vegetation at these locations,
it is also poisonous. As the use of herbicides is not possible
in a lot of areas where giant hogweed occurs and clearing with
mechanical system usually does not provide a satisfactory result,
the HWS system provides a distinct alternative. If the giant hogweed
is treated using the plunger, all of the treated plants can
be killed off. The action time of the heat is a decisive factor for
this. The action time depends on the size of the root. The larger
plant in Europe and North America.
the root, the greater the amount of hot water that has to be fed
into the root. This can take up to a minute in the case of very large
plants. The surface section of the plant and the seeds in the soil are killed off using the normal application
unit with the addition of foam. After about 4 weeks, the surface should be checked for any germinating seeds
or plant residue and retreated if necessary. These checks should be carried out regularly in order to achieve
sustained prevention of any reoccurrence of giant hogweed propagation.
giant hogweed before, during and after the treatment
Ecological, flexible, effective
The giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), also knows as giant
cow parsnip, is a biennial to perennial plant of the umbelliferae genus.
The plant originated from the Caucasus and is an established invasive

Areas of use for HWS
Along with giant hogweed, the HWS system is also effective against other weeds which are difficult to
combat: Schachtelhalme, Acker-Stiefmütterchen, Kletten-Labkraut, Moose, Algen, Kleine Brennessel und
die Gemeine Quecke.
Areas of use for the HWS system
The HWS system is very versatile in its use. It is not only suitable for security areas (airports, military bases
etc.) but also for combating weeds in municipal areas, roads and pathways, as well as underneath trees.
This system is the first choice in particular for moisture-bound areas (e.g. such as is often the case in cemeteries).
Advantages of the HWS system
» Foam insulation for effective heat application
» Extended action on weeds
» No herbicides used
» Harmless to people and animals
» Complete decomposition without residue within 30 days
» Surface friendly
» Weather insensitive
» Lasting effect through deep action
»
Can be used on all surfaces
No herbicides used

Examples and areas of application
Anywhere where weeds are a nuisance…
Areas of application on
or alongside
» paths
» traffic islands
» parking spaces
» tree grids
» boundaries
» riverbank areas
» dams
» golf courses
» fences
» railway lines
» airports
» cemeteries
» parks
» etc…
HWS is used
» by municipal authorities
» by fruit producers
» by vintners
» by property janitors
» by farmers
» by market gardeners
»
by service providers

HWS in use
…and where they shouldn‘t be

Comparison of the systems for controlling weeds
Chemical
spraying process
Application Weedkiller (chemical)
is usually
sprayed manually
onto the plants
Effect Reaches all plants,
though some of
these are resistant
or method ineffective
(e.g. common
horsetail)
Environmental
burden
Surface Can be used on
any surface
Lasting effect High, application
necessary 1-3
times a year
Chemical hand
coating process
Weedkiller
(chemical) is
only applied to
the plant surface
without coming
into contact with
the soil
Low growth,
growth in joints
and seeds are not
affected
Very high High; cannot be
excluded
Not suitable for
corners, pillars,
stairs etc.
High, application
necessary 2-3
times a year
Weed brush Cutter Thermal
destruction
Surface growth is
removed mechanically
No destruction of
roots; plants regrow
rapidly; seeds
are just spread
Surface growth is
removed mechanically
No destruction of
roots; plants regrow
rapidly; seeds
are just spread
Surface growth is
destroyed thermally;
only shortterm
effect; seeds
are not destroyed
and germination is
stimulated instead
Only superficial
destruction of
plants; no deep
action or lasting
effect
Medium low Medium low
Only possible on
solid surfaces
Low, has to be
repeated approx.
every 4 weeks
Can only be used
on non-solid
surfaces
Low, has to be
repeated approx.
every 4 weeks
Cannot be used
on combustible
surfaces; danger
of scorching!
Low, has to be
repeated approx.
every 4 weeks
HWS process
All plants and
plant sections are
destroyed permanently
right down
to the upper root
section, including
the seeds
Reaches all plant
sections right
down to the upper
root section
Can be used on all
surfaces, narrow
paths, benches,
stairways etc.
Noise nuisance None Low High High Low Moderate
Special features Fundamentally
forbidden, may
only be used by
special permission
on paved and
sealed areas; proof
of handling qualification
required
Risk User and supervisor
personally
liable in the event
of misuse!
Fundamentally
forbidden, may
only be used by
special permission
on paved and
sealed areas; proof
of handling qualification
required
User and supervisor
personally
liable in the event
of misuse!
High dust occurrence
and damage
to the treated
surface; high wear
on brushes
Liability for damage
from stone
chipping
Very loud; dust
occurrence
Liability for damage
from stone
chipping
Cannot be used
in extremely dry
periods; inefficient
in damp areas
Liability for
damage ranging
from thermal
destruction to fire
damage
High, application
necessary 3-4
times in first year,
then 2 applications
per year
Can be used on all
surfaces; no known
resistant plants;
also suitable for
critical and very
inaccessible areas;
weather insensitive
Economic efficiency Low costs Medium costs High costs High costs High costs Medium costs
HWS-process by comparison unbeatable
No risk

The foam, the insulation
HWS insulating foam
The foam is used for herbicide-free vegetation control with hot water using special application equipment.
This generates foam which ensures that the hot water can act on the weeds for a longer period of time to
eliminate them effectively. The foam is not an active substance. Foam generation is achieved by addition
of water and compressed to create a dry insulating foam.
This is easily and completely biologically degradable!
Consumption:
The production is mixed ready for use and is supplied in exchangeable containers of 5 or 20 kg or in big
bags of 200 or 1.000 kg. The consumption of the foam is 5 kg per 1.500 litre of hot water. The output depends
on the surfaces (water bounded or paved, compacted surfaces, joint width and joint filling, etc.) and
it also depends on the kind and thickness of the natural cover. The more permeable the surface and the
stronger the natural cover is, the more water per m2 has to be used.
Paved areas with small joints need about 2 l/m2, water bounded areas need 5 l/m2 (surfaces permeable to
water and strong natural cover need more).
effective thermal efficiency by insulating foam carpet

Technical Data HWS 9 / HWS 26
HWS 9
Water temperature 85° - 98°
Water volume 9 - 10 l/min
Area performance approx. 100-300 m2 per h
Heating output 61.000 kcal/h
Mains connection 230 V
Water connection GK-coupling
Foaming agent tank 5 l
Diesel tank 20 l
Required steady water pressure min. 4,5 bar
Weight 96 kg
Dimensions 100x77x80 cm
HWS 18
Water temperature 85° - 98° C
Water volume 18 l/min
Area performance approx. 200 - 600 m2 per h
Heating output 120.000 kcal/h
Mains connection 230 V
Water connection 1/2 “
Foaming agent tank 20 l
Diesel tank 50 l
Weight 250 kg
Dimensions 120x100x120 cm
HWS 26
Water temperature 92° - 98° C
Water volume 24 - 26 l/min
Area performance approx. 250 - 800 m2 per h
Heating output 142.000 kcal/h
Mains connection 230 V
Water connection 1 “
Foaming agent tank 2x 20 l
Diesel tank 130 l
Weight 450 kg
Dimensions 100x140x170 cm
Can be used anywhere

HWS 26 and 9 with a 1.000 l water tank and power unit built
on a tandem trailer 3,5 t with sidewise blinds
Teutoburger Str. 20
D-58636 Iserlohn
Phone: +49 (0) 23 71 / 77 93 -0
Fax.: +49 (0) 23 71 / 77 93 -11
E-Mail: hws@ipros.de
www.ipros.de
HWS18 or 26 with x 1.000 l water tank and power unit built on
a VW Crafter 5,0 t with special body
HWS 26 with 2 x 1.000 l water tank on a 2-axis trailer Special design: HWS 18 on a Merlo track vehicle
Made in Germany
Zugpferd – Agentur für Werbung, 2710