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| Kobe Steel to stop production of chromate-treated hot dip galvanized steel sheet |
| First Japanese steelmaker to go completely chromate-free |
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January 12, 2005
TOKYO, January 12, 2005 - Kobe Steel, Ltd. announces that it has completed
development of hot dip galvanized (CG) steel sheet with no chromate layer and
has begun commercial production.
The new steel sheet will replace the current chromate-treated CG steel sheet
products. When production of chromate-treated CG sheet ends in March 2006,
Kobe Steel will be the first Japanese steelmaker whose coated sheet products
will be entirely chromate free.
The new CG sheet uses the Greencote GX-GC treatment, which coats an inorganic
composite film on the galvanized layer of the steel. The coating contains
no hexavalent chromium. The Greencote GX-GC steel is noted for its corrosion
resistance, paintability and weldability, and has the same or higher properties
than conventional chromate-treated steel. The sheet is used in construction,
home appliances and office equipment.
Chromate treatment has been widely used for over 50 years as it improves
the corrosion resistance and paintability of coated steel sheet. However,
the EU’s RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic
Equipment) Directive bans the use of certain substances, including hexavalent
chromium, from July 2006. Numerous industries have been undertaking measures
to reduce the environmental burden, and an important issue has been to make
coated steel sheet with no chromate layer.
In 1998, Kobe Steel became the first Japanese steelmaker to commercialize
chromate-free electrogalvanized (EG) steel sheet called Zinkobella Greencote
GX, noted for its high anti-fingerprint resistance, and has been switching over
to this material. By the end of March 2005, it will cease production of
chromate-treated EG steel sheet.
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