May 18, 2017

Henkel zirconium-based pretreatment solution drives technology upgrade

Setting New Benchmark: Henkel Helps SAIC-GM Make New Technological Breakthrough

Düsseldorf, Germany – Henkel Asia-Pacific announced that its automotive team had used Bonderite M-NT 1820 surface pretreatment technology to help SAIC General Motors Corporation Limited (known as SAIC-GM, a joint venture between General Motors Company and SAIC Motor)  upgrade its car coating line.  

The paint shop at SAIC-GM’s Jinqiao South plant, opened in 2003, used to employ Henkel’s traditional zinc phosphating pretreatment process to handle 300,000 units of passenger vehicles annually, including many premium models such as Buick Regal, Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac ATS-L. In May 2016, with full technology support from Henkel China, the paint shop upgraded its pretreatment process with zirconium thin film treatment which went into mass production merely after a one-week commissioning.

Kevin Cunningham, Pretreatment & Elpo Global Subject Matter Expert at General Motors, said to Terry Giles, Business Development Manager of Henkel Surface Treatment Global, “This upgrade is a success across Asia and will be viewed as a benchmark for future development by peers in the automotive manufacturing industry.”

Currently, almost all automotive OEMs are using traditional phosphating treatment processes. With their high-energy consumption, their use of heavy metals, and their creation of substantial solid and liquid waste streams, these processes are increasingly running up against ever-stricter environmental requirements. With a trend of more environment-friendly, cost-effective, high-quality and user-friendly pretreatment technology, Henkel launched Bonderite M-NT 1820 thin film pretreatment, a revolutionary technology that is viewed as an alternative to the traditional phosphating pretreatment. This ground-breaking solution will redefine the surface pretreatment technology in the automotive industry and set new standards for automotive manufacturers.

Bonderite M-NT 1820 surface pretreatment technology, as an alternative to traditional phosphating and passivation treatment, not only allows the treatment to coating process to be undertaken at room temperature without heating, but also fits all metal substrates, thus greatly shortening the process time and saving cost in equipment investment and process control. With Bonderite M-NT 1820, heavy metals, solid waste and waste water are all significantly reduced, thus saving resources and waste treatment cost. Since the processes of surface conditioning and passivation can be skipped, investment in process and equipment footprint are saved and the operational cost including water, electricity, gas and chemicals are reduced. With its excellent performance and strong capability of waste treatment and energy conservation, the Bonderite thin film technology has demonstrated high additional value to Henkel customers.

As a global leading supplier of automotive surface treatment products, Henkel is committed to green and energy efficient sustainable development and has never forgotten its social responsibility – to create more value for customers while helping them reduce environmental footprint. In 2016, Henkel won SURCAR Award for Environmental Footprint for the paint shop application of its Bonderite thin film pretreatment technology in passenger vehicle coating. The prize marks another milestone for Henkel in its pursuit of sustainable development.

Henkel is committed to developing solutions with cutting-edge technologies for automotive coating. Henkel is currently the leading service provider in the Chinese market to help customers renovate their outdated production lines by upgrading technologies, reducing the customer carbon footprint.

Bonderite is a registered trademark of Henkel and/or its affiliates in Germany and elsewhere.

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 2016, Henkel reported sales of 18.7 billion euros, adjusted operating profit of 3.2 billion euros. Its three top brands, Persil (detergent), Schwarzkopf (hair care) and Loctite (adhesive) generated more than 6 billion euros in combined sales. Henkel employs more than 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
Email		knoels@emg-pr.com

	Henkel AG & Co. KGaA	EMG

The following material is available:
Henkel team with first treated car body after the brownfield conversion. (Photo: Henkel, PR037)

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