General Motors
Corporation and Henkel have joined forces to launch the
first global, full production trial of Henkel's new conversion coating
process, TecTalis, at GM's manufacturing facility in Sao Jose Dos Campos,
Brazil. Henkel's TecTalis conversion coating process is the automotive
industry's first non-phosphate conversion coating for multi-metal bodies.
This technology is projected to cut GM's process costs, and improve
efficiency of the vehicle assembly pretreatment operation while reducing
the environmental impact.
"Our decision to implement this leading-edge technology globally
reinforces our commitment to innovation and customer value," said Kevin
Cunningham, lead, Global Process Pretreatment, General Motors Corporation.
"It allows us to streamline our production while providing an
environmentally sustainable manufacturing process. Lowering overall costs
by conserving energy, reducing water use and minimizing process by-products
is clearly an important part of our global vision."
In contrast to similar products in the marketplace, the TecTalis
conversion coating completely eliminates phosphates along with heavy metals
such as nickel and manganese from the process. It also eliminates the need
for expensive filtration equipment and processes at the manufacturing
facility. In addition, this coating is free of any VOC and CO2 equivalent
emissions resulting in minimal environmental impact. TecTalis is applied at
room temperature further reducing utility and natural resource
requirements. With this coating, the pretreatment footprint can be reduced
in a Brownfield site and anywhere from 20 to 40 percent in a new Greenfield
operation.
GM LAAM Director of Paint & Polymers, Joao Sidney Fernandes, states,
"Conversion to this new material technology is a step forward in the
development of a more efficient Pretreatment Process. We expect that our
experience will help prepare other GM facilities for conversion worldwide
in the future."
"We have worked together with General Motors from the technology's
infancy, to ensure it exceeds customer expectations," said Dan Wohletz,
vice president, NA automotive, Henkel. "This partnership builds upon our
commitment to produce products that are better for the environment,
reducing the environmental footprint of our customers, and help reduce
manufacturing costs, while continuing to improve productivity."
Henkel is the market leader in adhesives, sealants
and surface treatments to the transportation industry. Backed by extensive
design capabilities, a broad product range, specific application knowledge
and technical expertise, the company delivers solutions to all segments of
automotive development - automotive body, interior, chassis, electronics
and powertrain production. Through powerful brands like Loctite(R),
Teroson(R), Aquence(TM), Bonderite(R), Frekote(R) and Multan(TM), Henkel
provides significant economic and environmental advantages for today's
vehicles, making them safer, more comfortable and extending vehicle value.
For more than 130 years, Henkel has been a leader with brands and
technologies that make people's lives easier, better and more beautiful.
Henkel operates in three business areas - Home Care, Personal Care, and
Adhesives Technologies - and ranks among the Fortune Global 500 companies.
In fiscal 2006, Henkel generated sales of 12.740 billion euros and
operating profit of 1,298 million euros. Our 53,000 employees worldwide are
dedicated to fulfilling our corporate claim, "A Brand like a Friend," and
ensuring that people in more than 125 countries can trust in brands and
technologies from Henkel.
SOURCE Henkel
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