New ambient temperature pretreatments are designed to replace traditional metal pretreatments—a.k.a. iron phosphates. They’ve also been used to replace zinc phosphate processes in some applications. The two major benefits promoted by developers are the reduction of energy consumed in the chemical process and the reduction or elimination of phosphate discharge.

Read More

Penco Products ran liquid and powder lines in tandem for a time, but quality and operating costs of the powder coat were so much better that managers ultimately phased out liquid altogether. In fact, finishing productivity was so good that the plant never installed phase two of a planned two-conveyor setup. “We’ve been able to improve productivity and output from the existing line so much that we don’t need two lines,” says Plant Manager Kevin Booth.

Read More

Every few years, PF invites readers to comment on the state of their respective industries—to evaluate today and posit conjectures for the future. Rarely has this assessment come during a time of such social, political and economic upheaval.

Read More