A process intermediate degreaser for steel workpieces. The product forms a water-soluble protective coating on the workpieces. After degreasing, a coating remains to protect the degreased product from corrosion during storage. The agent can be used both as an additive for inter-process degreasing (increasing degreasing and passivation strength) and individually in the final passivation stage. TreatActive CLEAN 9273 can be used before and after heat treatment (e.g., nitriding, etc.), where good degreasing and corrosion protection is required during storage.