SOCOMORE is proposing a new patented technology for conversion and sealing of surfaces after anodizing that could be used for the pre-treatment of painted and unpainted parts. This is to meet the needs of aerospace surface treatment companies that are trying to eliminate hexavalent chrome (Cr VI) from their surface treatment processes before September 2017, the current estimated schedule for REACH regulations.
The company has signed a license agreement with MECAPROTEC Industries, a specialist in surface treatment for the aerospace industry. This agreement includes manufacturing and commercialization of a new Cr VI-free conversion and sealing solution after anodizing by SOCOMORE and patented by MECAPROTEC.
Based on a Trivalent Chrome Process (TCP), this technology is a solution for aerospace manufacturers, subcontractors and other industries who have been trying for several years now to replace their Cr VI-based chemical conversion and sealing baths with an equivalent process.
The compliance with REACH regulations is likely to have repercussions outside of Europe because surface treatment companies are using products that are globally approved by main aircraft OEMs. Non-European OEMs may produce or subcontract production of parts in Europe and production of these parts and its associated processes are subject to the regulations. This could encourage OEMs to approve the new Cr VI-free process and the worldwide implementation for their part production.