Insight

As the inventor of anti-corrosion zinc flake technology, NOF Metal Coatings Group states it has always been one step ahead of the competition in supporting the development of the fastener industry – from both a technical and environmental point of view.

Since the late 1970s, with the launch of the famous DACROMET^®, fastener manufacturers have had access to a high performance, non-electrolytic anti-corrosion technology capable of solving the problem of hydrogen embrittlement for steel grades 10.9 and above. This innovation has enabled fastener manufacturers to save the large amount of energy required for hydrogen de-embrittlement of electrolytic coating solutions. At the same time, it has helped accelerate the development of high strength steel fasteners, reducing pressure on iron resources and steel production.

Improvements to NOF Metal Coatings Group’s waterborne zinc flake coating technology, driven by new environmental regulations, led to the development of GEOMET^®, which contains no form of chromium and still meets the fastener industry’s high demands for anti-corrosion performance. Since then, the company’s technology has gone from strength to strength – thanks to a wide range of customer specifications, particularly in the automotive, truck and renewable energy sectors.

Reduce industrial pressure on water and mineral resources

NOF Metal Coatings Group’s coatings are composed of zinc and aluminium pigments dispersed in a sol-gel matrix. Thanks to their unique formulation, GEOMET^® coating systems are able to offer very high corrosion protection performance (over 2,000 hours NSS) with a limited amount of metallic pigments compared to conventional anti-corrosion coatings.

What’s more, its non-electrolytic coating process requires extremely low volumes of water and produces very little waste, bringing additional environmental benefits to the company’s coating solutions, particularly at a time when natural resources have become even more precious than before.

“Our zinc flake coatings are among the most efficient, competitive and environmentally friendly solutions available on the market,” reports NOF Metal Coatings Group. “However, climate change has become more than just a reality, which is why our staff are committed to contributing to the development of more sustainable and industrial coating solutions.”

Building a new future for the planet

By pooling the strengths and minds of its multicultural research and development teams, located in Europe, Asia, and North America, NOF Metal Coatings Group’s top priority is now to further reduce its environmental footprint, with existing and new solutions.

“Four years ago, we started our first life cycle analysis with GABI, one of the most advanced software packages available on the market. Our aim was to measure and understand the various impacts of our solutions on the environment, in order to prioritise our development activities appropriately,” explains NOF Metal Coatings Group.

This initiative has already given the company a totally new perspective on its raw materials, chemistry and coating technology. “We now have the opportunity to better direct our development towards a lower environmental and CO₂ footprint, but above all towards less energy intensive processes. The teams at NOF Metal Coatings Group, enriched by the younger generation and their talents, will very soon be able to offer new, even more effective and environmentally friendly solutions for the fastener industry.”