BASF's Coatings division, specifically the Surface Treatment global business unit operating under the Chemetall brand, recently inaugurated its new Global Aluminum Competence Center in Giussano, Italy. This milestone significantly advances Chemetall's capabilities as a leading provider of surface treatment solutions for aluminium substrates.
Aluminium substrate materials comprise aluminium alloys like 6061-T6, 5052-H32, or 3003-H14. These alloys exhibit diverse levels of strength, corrosion resistance, and other characteristics, rendering them suitable for various applications.
About the Aluminum Competence Center
"The new global Aluminum Competence Center will allow us to bring new surface treatment solutions to the market faster. The centralisation of our research and development activities for aluminium will result in pioneering technologies that solve the challenges of our global customers, provide solutions for their needs and most of all deliver long-lasting sustainable value," said Frank Naber, Senior Vice President of Chemetall.
The Aluminum Competence Center was created to consolidate Chemetall's extensive expertise in aluminium surface treatment into a single hub. Following thorough analyses of current capabilities, developmental needs, and market demands, the Chemetall site in Giussano emerged as the optimal location. By centralising research and development efforts for aluminium, Chemetall is poised to accelerate technology advancement, facilitating ground-breaking innovations in anodising and pretreatment processes for this unique substrate.
By centralising research and development activities related to aluminium, Chemetall is strategically positioned to expedite the advancement of technologies and innovations more effectively. This consolidation promises enhanced efficiency and agility in addressing the industry's and its customers' evolving needs.
"The Aluminum Competence Center at our Giussano site is a strategically important step towards further expanding our technological leadership. As a lightweight metal with high availability, aluminium plays an important role in architectural, aerospace, and automotive construction. Aluminium is normally used in alloys because pure aluminium has different mechanical properties compared to materials like steel. Depending on the specific alloy, not only do the mechanical properties change, but also the chemical and corrosion characteristics of aluminum. This presents chemical challenges for pretreatment solutions. Our new technology centre will enable us to better manage the complexity of this material and empower our team to set new standards in the industry," stated Arjan Termaten, Director & Head of Global Technology at Chemetall.
Responses
