Sustainable Coating

Qualicoat UK & Ireland members have worked together to ensure that architectural coatings are supplied in a consistent, high quality finish. Well over half of all the commercial aluminium used today comes from Qualicoat registered manufacturers and coaters. Whilst quality of finish is paramount it is achieved today with increased levels of efficiency, reduced energy requirements and less pollutants.

Powder coating has been around since the mid 50’s and originated in the USA where car manufacturers were seeking the ‘holy grail’ of a one coat finish whilst eliminating the use of toxic suspension systems used in wet painting. Since the 1950’s, today’s powder coat plants has become one of the cleanest and safest places to work. Product life expectancy has also increased substantially and architectural powder coating can now achieve guarantees of up to 30 years on finish appearance and adhesion with minimal but regular cleaning and maintenance.

Pre-treatment tanks now use less chemicals with some chemical pre-treatment systems offering a chromate free solution which offer the same levels of surface protection. Water used in the process is now recycled several times over and out fall from the process, whilst not recommended for drinking, is almost as clean as the water entering the plant.

As the powder is applied electrostatically, there are no harmful emissions. One of the highest costs for a powder coater is the running of curing ovens which have also changed significantly over the last few years and become much more efficient with heat recovery systems and improved insulation. Excess powders can also now be recycled, eliminating the need to dispose in land fill sites.

Recycling aluminium and steel which has been powder coating is easily achieved as the metals are brought up to melt temperature the coating simply burns off with negligible toxicity.

Qualicoat’s rigourous specifications and inspection procedures ensure all applicators work to the same high standard and Qualicoat members pride themselves at being at the forefront of quality whilst ensuring processes minimise impact on the environment. Qualicoat insists users and specifiers to always ask for the Qualicoat standard when ordering powder coat finishes.

Current news and information on architectural powder coating is frequently updated on the UK website at www.qualicoatuki.org. The European website offers the complete specification which can be found at www.qualicoat.net. Printed literature and telephone support is available from Qualicoat UK and Ireland Head Office in Birmingham on 0121 601 6746.