Finishing touches: New alloys offer alternative to chrome
Ever since the 1940s, chrome has been used to add a protective coating and shiny luster to a wide range of metal products, from bathroom fixtures to car bumpers.

Chrome adds beauty and durability, but those features come at a heavy cost. Though it's cheap to produce and harmless to consumers, the industrial process to create it is dangerous for workers and pollutes the environment.

"People have been trying to replace it for a very long time," says Christopher Schuh, MIT associate professor of materials science and engineering. "The problem is that it's the only plated metal coating that has all of these properties -- hardness, long-lasting shine and corrosion protection."

Until now, that is. Schuh and his collaborators have developed a new nickel-tungsten alloy that is not only safer than chrome but also more durable. The new coating, which is now being tested on the bumpers of a truck fleet, could also replace chrome in faucet fixtures and engine parts, among other applications.

Chromium risks
Manufacturers have long had a love/hate relationship with chromium plating, which is a $20 billion industry.

Electroplating, the technique used to coat metal objects with chrome, involves running a current through a liquid bath of chromium ions, which deposits a thin layer of chrome on the surface of an object placed in the bath.

The ions, known as hexavalent chromium, are carcinogenic if inhaled, and contact with the liquid can be fatal. Hexavalent chromium can pollute groundwater, and some of the original Superfund cleanup sites involved hexavalent chromium pollution. "It's an environmental nightmare," says Schuh.

Manufacturers have put up with the mess and the safety hazards, which require strict handling precautions, because of chrome's unique properties.

Chrome's hardness -- it is considerably harder than steel -- comes from its nanocrystalline structure. Schuh and his group set out to duplicate that structure with a material that could be easily and safely electroplated.

They started with nanocrystalline nickel, but nickel on its own, though very hard when first plated, loses its hardness as the crystals gradually expand from nanoscale to microscale. Using computer models developed to predict material properties, Schuh settled on a nickel-tungsten alloy that is environmentally friendly and proved to be even more durable than chrome.

Nickel-tungsten alloys
Schuh's team has shown that nickel-tungsten alloys remain stable indefinitely at room temperature and are highly resistant to decomposition when heated. They can also be made harder and longer lasting than chrome.

In addition, the electroplating process is more efficient than that for chrome, because multiple layers can be applied in one step, which could save money for manufacturers.

"Not only do you get rid of the environmental baggage but you make a better product as well," says Schuh.

Schuh and his colleagues have described the new process in several journal articles published over the past few years, and Schuh recently gave an overview of the technology in the spring 2009 Wulff Lecture, sponsored by MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

The technology could be used to coat other products including shock absorbers and print rolls. Recent tests showed that print rolls coated with the new alloy lasted 10 times longer than their chrome-plated counterparts.

Another field of potential applications is electronics, particularly connectors for portable electronics (the jacks where power cords, headphones and other accessories are plugged in). Those connectors are now coated with a layer of gold, which must be thick to help prevent the corrosion of an inner layer of brass. Layering the nickel-tungsten alloy between the gold and brass layers could reduce corrosion and offer significant savings for electronics manufacturers by allowing them to use thinner layers of gold.

Schuh's collaborators on the new metal coating technology include Andrew Detor, a recent PhD graduate in materials science and engineering, and Alan Lund, a former MIT postdoctoral researcher and the current chief technology officer at Xtalic Corporation of Marlborough, Mass., which has commercialized the nickel-tungsten plating process.

The research was funded at MIT by the U.S. Army Research Office <more>

Company and Four Senior Managers Sentenced for Environmental, Worker Safety Crimes After Longest Trial in Environmental Crimes History

(Washington, D.C. – April 27, 2009) On Friday, Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. of Phillipsburg, N.J., was sentenced to pay a fine of $8 million for committing numerous environmental and worker safety crimes. The judge also ordered the company to serve 48 months “monitored” probation, requiring it to submit biannual reports to the court.

The sentencing of the company followed sentencing of four former Atlantic States managers to federal prison terms ranging from six months for former finishing department manager Craig Davidson to 70 months for former plant manager John Prisque. Also sentenced were former Atlantic States maintenance superintendent Jeffrey Maury (30 months), and former human resources manager Scott Faubert (41 months).

“These sentences show that senior managers, as well as companies, will be prosecuted when they break the law,” said Catherine McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The managers had an obligation to run the facility safely and legally; instead, they committed environmental crimes that polluted the air and water and put people’s health at risk.”

Atlantic States, a division of McWane Industries, Inc. of Birmingham, Alabama, is one of the world’s largest makers of cast-iron water and sewer pipes with subsidiaries located throughout the United States and Canada. This is the fourth criminal prosecution and sentencing involving a McWane, Inc. facility since 2005.

Following a seven-month trial, a jury on April 26, 2006 convicted Atlantic States and the four managers of engaging in an eight-year conspiracy to pollute the air and Delaware River in violation of the federal Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, expose its employees to dangerous conditions, and impede and obstruct federal regulatory and criminal investigations. (A fifth defendant was acquitted at trial.) This was the longest federal trial in environmental crimes history.

During the trial, the government presented evidence that the defendants routinely violated Clean Water Act permits by discharging petroleum-contaminated water and paint into storm drains that led to the Delaware River; repeatedly violated Clean Air Act permits by, among other things, burning tires and excessive amounts of hazardous waste paint in the furnace; systematically altered accident scenes and concealed serious worker injuries from health and safety inspectors; routinely lied to federal, state, and local officials who were investigating environmental and worker safety violations; and maintained a dangerous workplace that contributed to multiple severe injuries and the death of one employee at the plant. <more> <more2>

Low- & Zero VOC Paint Technology
No longer merely a buzzword, demand for ‘green’ coatings continues to increase for both the professional and DIY markets.
According to Carl Minchew of Benjamin Moore, the Natura line of zero-VOC paint is available in nearly all of the company’s 3,500 colors and can also be color-matched to the customer’s personal choice. “Natura is green without compromise,”said Minchew. “It is the greenest paint Benjamin Moore has ever made.”
Over the past decade, consumer demand for products, including paint and coatings, deemed environmentally friendly has gained in popularity. No longer merely a buzzword, consumers are becoming more aware of the advantages of using “greener” products. As more companies expound the virtues of reducing their environmental footprint and buying carbon credits, going green has become an important trend. <more>

Wright Line Adds Green Chemistry to Manufacturing Process
New Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Technique Lowers Chemical Costs, Increases Operating Uptime

Worcester, MA (PRWEB) May 5, 2009 -- In a continuing effort to incorporate green and sustainable processes in all aspects of its manufacturing process, Wright Line , a manufacturer of products and solutions for technology-intensive environments, today announced the implementation of a new, green cleaning process for its powder coating paint line.

Many companies hesitate to incorporate green practices for fear of incurring huge upfront costs or decreased reliability
However, in our case, the minimum upfront investment to implement this sustainable practice delivered not only a process performance benefit, but did it at a lower overall cost while simultaneously increasing production availability
Replacing our phosphate cleaning process with this new Gardoclean® solution is a win-win situation
Not only does Wright Line save money, but we've introduced a green process which will benefit future generations.
The green chemistry cleaning process consists of utilizing chemicals and chemical processes designed to reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts. Unlike conventional steel cleaning treatments, this new green technology is free of hazardous metals such as phosphate, which has been proven to have a negative impact on local water bodies. Wright Line, using Chemetall, US' Gardoclean®, proactively made the move to this environmentally safe product and completed the implementation well ahead of schedule.

Cost savings, also are impressive using green chemistry. Wright Line estimates that the new practice will save tens of thousands of dollars annually in lower chemical costs and will realize an ROI within a few weeks. In addition, by eliminating an annual preventative maintenance process required by legacy materials, the new solution will increase operating uptime. The former preventative maintenance process disrupted production and resulted in multiple days of costly production downtime every year.

"Many companies hesitate to incorporate green practices for fear of incurring huge upfront costs or decreased reliability", stated Ed Bednarcik, Wright Line CEO. "However, in our case, the minimum upfront investment to implement this sustainable practice delivered not only a process performance benefit, but did it at a lower overall cost while simultaneously increasing production availability".

"Replacing our phosphate cleaning process with this new Gardoclean® solution is a win-win situation", stated Dave Pierce, Manager of Manufacturing Engineering. "Not only does Wright Line save money, but we've introduced a green process which will benefit future generations." <more>
 

Kansai Nerolac Board recommends 120% Dividend for 2008-09
Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd has announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on April 30, 2009, inter alia, has recommended a dividend of 120% (Rs 12 per share) compared to 120% (Rs 12 per share) last year.

The Stock closed on April 29, 2009 day at Rs.450, down by Rs.3 or 0.66%. The stock hit an intraday high of Rs.462 and low of Rs.450.

The total traded quantity was 105 compared to 2 week average of 336. Source: Equity Bulls

Cognis Opens Affiliate in India
MONHEIM, Germany - Cognis has opened an affiliate in Mumbai, India. The new affiliate, Cognis India, will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cognis Group and will operate under the name of Cognis Specialty Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. Cognis first opened a liaison office in India in February 2008 to bring the company closer to its customers in the region and gain a greater understanding of local markets. The new affiliate will continue to grow Cognis’ business in India.

Since it was established, the office has helped Cognis gain a greater understanding of the Indian market, as well as enabling it to anticipate developments there more quickly. It has also helped strengthen relationships with existing customers, distributors and suppliers; identified and initiated new business opportunities; and raised awareness of Cognis’ products and services in local markets. The new affiliate marks another milestone for Cognis in realizing business opportunities within the Indian market. It also reflects the success of the liaison office, as well as the significant growth achieved by Cognis in India in the last few years. In 2008, Cognis’ sales in India grew by some 30 percent.

AkzoNobel appoints Amit Jain as MD for its India operation
Paint manufacturer AkzoNobel today said it has appointed Amit Jain as Managing Director for its operations in India and Sri Lanka. Prior to this appointment, Amit Jain was working as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of MTV Asia. AkzoNobel operates in India through its subsidiary ICI India Ltd and markets its products under the brand Dulux. "We have ambitious plans for the Indian market and we are delighted to welcome Amit to AkzoNobel.

Bet on paint stocks; industry growth seen at 9%
6 May 2009, 1415 hrs IST, Saikat Das, ET Bureau
MUMBAI: At a time when expectations of a probable economic recovery are on the rise, the Indian paint industry paints an optimistic picture. The
industry is expected to grow at 9 per cent with decorative paints to grow at 10 per cent and industrial paints growth at 5 per cent.

Softening of input cost would lead to higher profitability despite the price reductions by paint companies. Reduction of excise duty by 400bps to 8% has also aided price reductions to revive demand, according to Antique Finance.

“A new stable government in New Delhi will initiate a slew of infrastructure projects that will add to the paint industry no doubt. With expected growth in infrastructure and realty sectors, paint industry is definitely heading for a better time,” commented Dillip Davada, an independent stock analyst based in Mumbai. <more>

U.S. Auto Sales Continue Downward Slide
Auto sales in the U.S. continued on their downhill roll as most manufacturers reported high, double-digit sales decreases. Industry analysts see the trend in this key bellwether economic sector as further evidence of a deepening recession.

How things shook out in April: The industry in general suffered a 34.4% decline for a total of a seasonally adjusted 9.32 million units. According to Autodata, this approaches low levels not seen in 30 years. General Motors (GM) reported a 34% drop in sales (year over year), while Chrysler posted a 48% drop in sales. On the plus side, GM said it somehow managed to increase market share during the period (see related story), while Chrysler, which announced a “surgical bankruptcy" last week, said it plans to emerge from Chapter 11 by the summer.

Overseas manufacturers and transplants were not immune. Toyota's sales fell by 42%, with revenues at its luxury division, Lexus, off by 39%. Meanwhile, Nissan was down 38%, and Honda's sales were off by 25%.

New White Paper on Liquid and Powder Fluoropolymer Coatings for Architectural Coatings
PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) has published Architectural Applications for Liquid and Powder Fluoropolymer Coatings: A Comparative Review, a white paper that examines a new generation of powder coatings for architectural metal and compares them to contemporary liquid and powder coatings.
The document provides architects and curtain wall consultants with updated specifying guidelines, and details the aesthetic and environmental attributes of liquid, conventional powder and next-generation powder coatings. Topics include volatile organic compound (VOC) content, color and appearance options, prevailing performance standards for metal coatings, hardness and cost, among others.

Henry L. Lowman, PPG global director of extrusion coatings, said PPG is uniquely positioned to offer an unbiased review of metal coatings options for architects and curtainwall consultants. "As a manufacturer of both liquid and powder coatings for aluminum extrusions, we can help building professionals make the most informed choice about which coatings best meet their long-term aesthetic, performance and sustainability goals." <more>

Abcor Industries Launches Revolutionary Sustainable Powder Coating for Interior Doors and Trim
Developed for the healthcare, hospitality and educational segments, where indoor air quality and high-traffic durability are of equal concern, Abcor's ResiliColor™ powder coating emits no VOCs and requires virtually no maintenance or repair.

Holland, MI (PRWEB) April 8, 2009 -- Powder-coating pioneer Abcor Industries today announced the introduction of ResiliColor™, an extremely low-emitting powder coating finish for medium density fiberboard (MDF) interior doors.


ResiliColor sustainable powder coating for MDF interior doorsWe've created a nearly indestructible shell for MDF doors It was specifically designed to withstand the harsh wear and tear common in hotels, hospitals and schools, which saves facility managers money.

Aimed at the hospitality, healthcare and institutional segments, where traffic is particularly heavy and indoor air quality is of high concern, ResiliColor is as durable as it is environmentally healthy. Designed for both solid core MDF doors of any fire rating and medium density overlay (MDO) hollow doors, the dense powder coating is applied through a proprietary process and is so durable that it requires virtually no maintenance or repair. The finish is comparable to the WDMA OP-8 Door Finish Standard. It withstands heat and moisture and is highly scratch- and impact-resistant. Streaks, stains and graffiti can be wiped off with a cleaning solution.

"We've created a nearly indestructible shell for MDF doors," Abcor senior vice president Tim Bush said. "It was specifically designed to withstand the harsh wear and tear common in hotels, hospitals and schools, which saves facility managers money."

ResiliColor doesn't emit toxic gases or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and the powders are stored in environmentally safe containers. Powder overspray or spillage is reclaimed and reused; not sent to landfills. ResiliColor can contribute to up to five different credits within the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, including EQ 4.2: Low Emitting Materials - Paints and Coatings. The powder coating also has anti-microbial properties, making it especially ideal for healthcare environments.

ResiliColor is the only MDF powder coating that has been field-tested and has been applied as finish on more than 1,200 doors throughout various Marriott hotels. <more>


ISEA, RIMS Petition OSHA to Ban Silica in Sandblasting
The International Safety Equipment Association and the Risk and Insurance Management Society filed a petition April 28 asking OSHA to prohibit the use of silica in abrasive blasting. Sandblasting continues to be one of the areas of greatest exposure to respirable crystalline silica, and several organizations and countries have enacted prohibitions, ISEA President Daniel K. Shipp wrote in the letter addressed to Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor Jordan Barab.

Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, and Belgium; the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and Coast Guard; and 23 state departments of transportation have banned the use of silica in abrasive blasting, and the countries named “have demonstrated that the abrasive blasting process can be carried on effectively within the use of sand,” Shipp wrote. NIOSH has recommended a ban since 1974, he added.

WorkSafe Victoria, which enforces OSH regulations in the Australian state of Victoria, has banned the use of materials containing more than 1 percent crystalline silica in abrasive blasting since Jan. 1, 2002. <more>

PPG unveils latest wood flooring color trends, technologies
Color the world beneath your feet
SHANGHAI, April 2, 2009 – Are you stuck in an all-beige, monotonous world? Have you ever imagined that you could stay at home and feel like you are in the Caribbean or on a hiking vacation in New Zealand? The feelings you get from your home environment can change dramatically depending on the colors you bring into it. Home-improvement items such as wood flooring that offers natural hues and colors are therefore gaining in popularity. PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) recently introduced its latest wood flooring color trends and technologies to more than 100 flooring manufacturers and buyers during a seminar in Shanghai.

Research has demonstrated that subtle color differences can greatly affect human beings. Tom Irwin, business director of PPG Wood Coatings, Asia/Pacific, addressed a new macro trend among consumers during the seminar.

“Living in the fast-paced, high-demand, high-technology era that is the 21st century, consumers are now more than ever turning to ‘green’ and natural-looking products,” Irwin said. “Our stylists present colors and designs that, according to in-depth research, consumers nowadays are seeking – colors that are at one with nature.” He said materials that appear to be handmade, undyed and unbleached, and colors found in nature such as off-whites, sandy and lineny tones, rock and soil hues, and brownish-greens are all popular choices for wood flooring.

Other colors increasing in popularity, Irwin said, include blues reminiscent of a clear sky or ocean water and inspired by environmentalism, as well as warmer metallic colors that liven up a room. Moreover, as globalism brings people ever closer to previously unfamiliar ethnic accent color palettes, tones such as Moroccan reds, glowing oranges, rosy pinks, sunny golden yellows and ancient turquoise are being used increasingly. <more>

Nordson Q2 Profit Declines, Yet Tops Estimate; Sees Q3 Earnings Above Consensus  
Precision dispensing equipment maker Nordson Corp Thursday said its second quarter profit declined from last year, reflecting the continued global economic downturn. However, the company's quarterly earnings as well as sales exceeded the analysts' expectations. In addition, the company provided earnings outlook for the third quarter, indicated to come in above current Street estimates.

The Westlake, Ohio-based company posted net income of $14 million or $0.41 per share for the second quarter, down from $33 million or $0.97 per share in the prior year quarter. On average, 5 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $0.26 per share for the second quarter. Analysts' estimate typically excludes special items.

Segment wise, sales from Adhesive dispensing systems dropped 27% to $111.33 million, Advanced technology systems sales slipped 46.7% to $49.97 million, and Industrial coating & automotive systems sales dipped 42.5% to $27.54 million from a year ago. <more>


Economic conditions slow down Jotun
(Sandefjord, 22 May 2009) The economic downturn resulted in stagnating growth for Jotun in the first four months of the year. The figures so far are still relatively high in relation to record levels seen last year. In litres and kilos the group sold two per cent less paint than it did for the same period last year. The Powder Coatings Division saw a marked fall in volumes while other important areas continued to grow. The weaker Norwegian kroner exchange rate was one of the factors that contributed to a relatively strong increase in operating income. The operating profit totalled NOK 339 million compared with NOK 363 million in the first four-month period last year. Weaker performance is expected.

The group’s operating income amounted to NOK 3.7 billion compared to NOK 3.2 billion last year.

Mixed picture
The international downturn is being felt to rising degrees but the effects vary greatly in the group's different business areas. The Powder Coatings Division felt the effects early as a large part of these products are sold to industries that are sensitive to the downturn. Areas such as the new
ships and property markets are less affected, but stronger effects will be seen in the future. Traditionally, the maintenance market is less impacted by fluctuations and is well shielded.

Akzo to Integrate Two Major Brands
Akzo Nobel announced plans for a two-year integration program for its International Paint Protective Coatings and Devoe High Performance Coatings companies. The companies are manufacturers of protective coatings, linings, and fire-protection products.

Oxford Advanced Surfaces Group Plc (OAS) Develops a Unique Technology That Prevents Silver Tarnishing
Oxford Advanced Surfaces’s Onto® surface modification technology facilitates breakthrough in prevention of silver tarnishing in multiple applications, especially LED and solid state lighting
OXFORD, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oxford Advanced Surfaces Group Plc, the advanced materials company, announced that it has developed a 1nm thick, environmentally friendly Onto® coating that acts to protect silver against tarnishing.

The effect of atmospheric pollutants on the surface of exposed metals can result in the formation of a number of unwanted compounds causing tarnishing of the surface. “Tarnishing is not just aesthetically unpleasant &ndash it also degrades the electronic and optical properties of the metal surface, and is therefore a causal factor in the reliability of LEDs, lighting, Printed circuit boards (pcb) and electronic components”, commented Mike Edwards, VP Sales & Marketing at OAS. Current technologies addressing this problem have many disadvantages or are uneconomical, preventing wide scale implementation, particularly in electronic applications. The Onto® coating doesn’t impede electrical connectivity, is thermally stable up to 250°C and is applied via a simple wet coating approach offering attractive solutions to a number of problems in the electronics and lighting industries.

Potential applications include industrial, household and automotive lighting systems, silver conductors throughout the electronics industry and other applications where silver or other valuable metals need to be protected from tarnishing. The company is seeking new partners for either tailored development or straight license of the silver anti-tarnish technology for use in their products and processes.

OAS develops and commercialises advanced material solutions which are cost effective, simple to implement, and deliver valuable changes to the functionality of all kinds of surfaces via our platform surface modification technology. OAS uses proprietary highly reactive chemistry, Onto®, in combination with polymers and/or particles to provide solutions that deliver enhanced performance which enables new, highly cost-effective opportunities. Initial applications include advanced adhesion, anti-tarnishing of silver, anti-reflectance coatings and particle delivery in markets including advanced composites and laminates, lighting, displays and FMCGs.

For further information, please visit www.oxfordsurfaces.com. 

Oxford Advanced Surfaces, the OAS logo, and Onto® are registered trademarks of Oxford Advanced Surfaces Group plc. All other names or trademarks may be registered trademarks of their respective companies. <more>

Dow Chemical Forms New Unit Focused on Coating Market - Update
(RTTNews) - The Dow Chemical Co. (DOW: News ) Friday said it formed a new business unit that will focus on the coatings market, by combining the Dow Coating Solutions with the recently acquired Rohm and Haas Paint and Coating Materials.

Commenting on the new unit, Midland, Michigan based Dow Chemical said the new unit would have the resources and technologies of Dow Coating Solutions, focusing on raw materials production aimed at architectural and industrial coatings.

Dow Chemical also said the newly combined business assets would provide customers accesses to a significantly enhanced business support network, including supply capabilities in all major geography.

As a developer of raw materials for the coatings industry, the company said its coatings materials provides a wide range of chemistries and support across many different product lines, including core binder technologies such as latex emulsions epoxies, solution vinyl resins and other polymer technologies.

China leads Asian coating biocides growth
According to the consulting firm Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney, coating biocide consumption in Asia totaled approximately 30 million pounds, as supplied, worth $174 million in 2008. Growth, led by China and India, is placed at nine percent per year through 2013