MINNEAPOLIS – Graco Inc., a manufacturer of fluid handling equipment headquartered in Minneapolis, has acquired abrasive-blasting equipment manufacturer EcoQuip Inc., of Chesapeake, VA. Founded in 2005, EcoQuip designs and produces eco-friendly abrasive blasting systems for coating removal and surface preparation. EcoQuip products will become part of the product portfolio of Graco’s Applied Fluid Technologies Division (AFTD).

EcoQuip’s vapor-abrasive blast equipment eliminates up to 97 percent of the airborne particles produced in typical dry-blasting applications by adding a fine mist during the spraying process. The mist greatly minimizes the dispersal of dust and other harmful substances. In addition, the EcoQuip equipment performs at the same production rate as traditional dry-blast equipment while decreasing the blast media consumption. The products can be used in a variety of conditions, such as high humidity, rain and under water. They can blast from 30 to 130 psi using all common readily available dry-blasting media.