December 15, 2016

Bonderite Thin Film 1800 Series reduces energy consumption and waste

Henkel Wins SURCAR Global Environmental Footprint Impact Award for Automotive Pre-treatment Process

Düsseldorf, Germany – Henkel is the first winner of the SURCAR International Award for Environmental Footprint, honoring the company’s commitment to waste prevention and water treatment with its Bonderite Thin Film 1800 Series zirconium oxide pre-treatment process for car bodies. The award went to Henkel’s Surface Technologies team in Asia Pacific and their partner, Qoros Auto Co., in recognition of a joint project implemented at the paint shop of Qoros’ manufacturing site in Changshu near Shanghai.

Henkel and Qoros were presented with the award during this year’s SURCAR International Congress in Shanghai, before more than 150 regional stakeholders from key automotive manufacturers and body finishing suppliers. The SURCAR Congress for the body finishing and painting industry was inaugurated in 1964 in France. In 2014, for the first time, the event was held Shanghai.

The Bonderite Thin Film process, which puts the car body in a perfect condition ready for painting, is far more environmentally friendly than traditional zinc phosphate treatments: For instance, while eliminating the use of heavy metals, such as zinc and nickel, it involves significantly fewer processing steps and less rinsing, which can reduce water consumption by 20 percent. In addition, it produces far less solid waste.

The process also operates at ambient temperatures, thus reducing energy consumption by 70 percent. In contrast to traditional treatment processes – which involve at least 12 individual steps, three of which require heating – the Bonderite thin film technology comprises only seven steps, and only two of those need extra heat.
 
Qoros was the first Chinese automaker to use Bonderite thin film technology

In 2013, Qoros was the first company in China to rely on Bonderite zirconium pre-treatment. In the meantime, Henkel has installed no less than eight Bonderite thin film body pre-treatment lines in China.

Since its introduction to the market in 2008, the process has experienced exponential growth. According to Mark Hyde, Asia-Pacific Business Director, Automotive Surface Treatment for Henkel, some nine million cars per year are now being treated with the new system.

“We have reference customers on five continents,” Hyde says. “The zirconium based Bonderite thin film technology is appealing to automotive manufacturers everywhere, but especially in China, which has the strictest regulations on emissions and waste water discharge in the world. This is another acknowledgment of Henkel’s innovation leadership in the area of surface technologies and our competitive lead in the market.”

About Henkel
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, innovations and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2015, Henkel reported sales of 18.1 billion euros (20.1 billion US dollars), adjusted operating profit of 2.9 billion euros (3.2 billion US dollars). Its three top brands, Persil (detergent), Schwarzkopf (hair care) and Loctite (adhesive) generated more than 6 billion euros (around 6.6 billion US dollars) in combined sales. Henkel employs around 50,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. 
As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com.

Photo material is available at www.henkel.com/press.

Contact		Suleika Hollenhorst			Kevin Noels
Phone		+49 211 7970				+31 164 317 011
E-mail 							knoels@emg-pr.com

		Henkel Adhesive Technologies		EMG

The following material is available:

Henkel the first winner of the SURCAR International Award for Environmental Footprint (Waste treatment), presents its Bonderite 1800 Series pre-treatment process for car bodies. 

Henkel’s Surface Technologies team in Asia Pacific. From left to right Mark Hyde, Business Director of Surface Treatment, Emily Liu, Global Market Analyst and Billy Gu, Business Development Manager, Surface Treatment. 

SURCAR Committee Members & Awards Winners. 

This press release and relevant photography can be downloaded from www.PressReleaseFinder.com.
Alternatively for very high resolution pictures please contact Kevin Noels 
(knoels@emg-pr.com, +31 164 317 011).