We are excited to announce that the installation of new systems (trivalent chromium plating-washing-PVD finishing treatment) has recently been completed in our plant, an important step forward for our company. This represents a significant boost for our commitment to sustainability and innovation, made possible thanks to the funding linked to the MISE sustainable investments 4.0 call for proposals Decree of the Ministry of Economic Development of 10 February 2022 published in the Official Journal of the Italian Republic of 2 April 2022 n.78. This decree established an aid scheme for innovative and sustainable investments proposed throughout the national territory aimed at promoting, in particular, technological and digital transformation, the transition towards the circular economy paradigm and energy sustainability.
Trivalent chromium plating is an advanced surface coating technology that offers many advantages over hexavalent chromium plating, which has been widely criticized for its harmful effects on the environment and human health. Trivalent chromium plating uses trivalent chromium, which is non-toxic and less polluting than hexavalent chromium. This technology significantly reduces the risk of environmental contamination and represents a more responsible choice from an ecological and worker health safety point of view, while still guaranteeing the same characteristics of durability and aesthetics of the products.
New trivalent chromium plating systems allow for the application of a high-quality coating on various materials, so much so that it is widely used in industries such as automotive, electronics, construction and many others. With its high resistance to corrosion and the ability to improve the aesthetic appearance of products, trivalent chromium plating has become the preferred choice for many applications.
The trivalent chromium plating plant uses a futuristic low-energy purification plant for the recovery and purification of all waste which, once checked, is reintroduced into the production cycle in full compliance with the most stringent regulations in the field and under the scrupulous supervision of a highly qualified technical staff.
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) is a thin film metal deposit, the deposition process occurs under vacuum through the evaporation of the metal. The resulting film has high chemical-physical performances being very resistant to scratching, corrosion and abrasion and it is possible to obtain it in different chromatic varieties.
An essential condition for the applied film to have excellent adhesion and the most homogeneous and uniform results possible is that the support on which it will be deposited is completely free of any contaminant and residue. To achieve this condition, we opted for the installation of an ultrasonic cleaning machine specifically designed to avoid any interference with the PVD treatments.
The installation of these new systems represents an important step forward for our company in several respects:
Environmental Sustainability: Trivalent chromium plating significantly reduces the environmental impact of our manufacturing process. Reducing emissions of harmful substances and producing less toxic waste will help preserve the environment and promote more sustainable manufacturing.
Regulatory Compliance: Hexavalent chromium plating has been subject to increasingly stringent regulatory restrictions, and the move to trivalent chromium plating allows us to be in full compliance with current environmental and public health regulations.
Product Quality: With higher corrosion resistance and superior coating quality, the finished products will be more durable and attractive to our customers.
Competitiveness: Adopting advanced technologies makes us more competitive in the market, attracting new customers and opening up growth opportunities.
Worker Health Safety: The safety of our employees has always been a top priority for our company, and the installation of the new facilities presented an opportunity to further strengthen workplace safety measures. We have implemented rigorous training and education protocols to ensure that all of our employees are aware of the risks and necessary precautions associated with the new process. Additionally, we have invested in protective equipment, advanced ventilation systems, and environmental control measures to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. The health and safety of our workers remains at the heart of our operations and is an absolute commitment.
Obtaining public funding for this project was essential to its realization. These funds allowed us to invest in cutting-edge technology and accelerate the process of conversion from hexavalent chromium plating to trivalent chromium plating. We are grateful for the support of public institutions that recognized the value of this initiative and its positive impact on local communities and the environment.
Furthermore, the installation of these new facilities has led to the hiring of additional highly qualified personnel, which has had a positive impact on employment in our area, helping to create new job opportunities and supporting the local economy.
In conclusion, the installation of the new equipment in our plant represents a significant step in our mission to adopt more sustainable and advanced manufacturing practices. With the support of public funding, we are now better positioned to meet the needs of our customers, protect the environment and contribute to the well-being of our community. We are confident that this new technology will take us to new levels of excellence and success in the market.