Hexavalent chromate / chromium trioxide to be banned from 21st Sept 2024

By now it is well known in the industry that hexavalent chromate/chromium trioxide will not be permitted for use after 21st September 2024.

As the first powder coater in the UK to install chrome-free pre-treatment in 2001, Powdertech Surface Science has extensive experience in these safe and very effective systems. Our TiZr chrome-free pre-treatments are eleven-stage Gardobond® X4591 and Gardobond® X 4707 processes.

Hexavalent chrome is harmful to the environment in extraction, use and disposal. It is also linked to certain cancers and liver and reproductive system conditions, and, in our opinion, should have been banned many years ago.

Aluminium Federation (ALFED) recently published the following statement :-
The existing Hexavalent Chromate/Chromium Trioxide EU Authorisation expires on 21st September 2024, as we have left the EU, EU REACH and UK REACH are entirely separate and as such uses of substances on the authorisation list need to be covered by a GB-held authorisation.

The UKREACH web site UK REACH: List of UK REACH authorisations – granted and applications in progress (hse.gov.uk) lists no body or company or application that has applied to extend their authorisation for use of Hexavalent Chromate/Chromium Trioxide for Architectural aluminium or indeed aluminium.