Metal meets organic

The Gardo Hybrid technology is the first ever-cold forming process for steel without phosphates, based on a conversion coating. With this innovative technology Chemetall, the global leading surface treatment company, responds to the market requirement for an environmentally-sound cold forming technology, combined with a high forming performance.

The Gardo Hybrid technology replaces the zinc-phosphate layer by a phosphate-free metal-organic one. This innovative conversion layer provides the same excellent properties and behaviours like a traditional zinc-phosphate. However it fulfils more stringent safety and environmental requirements: the product does not contain any heavy metals and the formation of the metal-organic layer consumes less energy.

Gardo Hybrid can be easily integrated into current cold forming operations since no major modifications to the lubricant, treatment line or application process is needed. The reason for this is that the tribological system has not changed; it is still divided into two parts: the conversion layer providing the unique surface and the lubricant on top.

Gardo® Hybrid advantages at a glance: Less energy due to lower treatment temperature, less consumption, reduced sludge formation, no activation needed, free of heavy metals, except iron, no major change in treatment lines required, no additional equipment needed, safety, health and environmentally-friendly

Chemetall, a division of Rockwood Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ROC), is a leading global supplier of special chemicals with a focus on processes for the surface treatment of metals and plastics. Chemetall is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and comprises about 40 companies and 22 production sites worldwide. With 2000 employees, the Group achieved sales of about 551 million Euro (2012).

Rockwood Holdings, Inc. based in Princeton, N.J., is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of technologically advanced and high value-added specialty chemicals, with a market capitalization of nearly $5 billion. It is the leading integrated and lowest cost global producer of lithium and lithium compounds that has been an enabler of the significant global growth of mobile devices by providing adequate lithium supply used in lithium-ion batteries for electronics and alternative transportation. The company is also the second largest global producer of products and services for metal processing, servicing the luxury European automotive and aerospace industry. With approximately 3500 employees in 17 countries and over 50,000 customers, Rockwood’s materials result in end-use products for nearly every industry and generate annual net sales of approximately $1.3 billion in 2012 (after adjustment for discontinued operations).

www.chemetall.com

www.rocksp.com