Wedge Galvanizing Process

Please be advised by the 31^st March 2024 all Products manufactured with the Hot Dipped Galvanised finish after manufacture to BSEN ISO1461, will no longer contain Chromium trioxide, the product was used in the passivation process to the products once Galvanised.

In reality the finish of the products you will receive in future will feature a more “Industrial “finish, cosmetically looking different to previous finishes you may have received, mainly being a faint stripping effect to heavy articles, Haze or satin appearance.

Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact us or the Wedge Group Directly.

Statement from Wedge Group - 

Removing Chromium Trioxide from the Galvanizing Process

Why we use Chromium Trioxide (Chromium VI) in the galvanizing process

Chromium VI is used in the passivation process during galvanizing.

The Chromium Trioxide creates a protective surface on the galvanized coating that keeps the surface bright and shiny for up to 12 weeks and prevents wet storage stain on the galvanized coating for a short period of time after galvanizing.

Why we are removing Chromium VI?

The European Union’s REACH legislation bans the use of Chromium Trioxide in most manufacturing processes (including galvanizing) by September 2024.

The supplier of the chemical for the UK has communicated to the whole galvanizing industry that to avoid being left with stocks post September 2024, they will not supply the chemical beyond February 2024.

Finding an alternative

There is no direct equivalent to Chromium Trioxide. Having researched the market thoroughly (both in the UK and globally), there is one ‘stand-out’ product which operates in the same way using existing plant and equipment. This is a non-Chrome alternative manufactured by the same supplier and fully satisfies the September 2024 legislation. 

Wedge Group Galvanizing have been trialling this non-Chrome product at several of our plants since 2020 and continue to work hard to optimise all the parameters to achieve the most consistent and aesthetic finish possible whilst accepting there are minor differences over the existing Chromium Trioxide chemical. These differences are purely cosmetic and on certain articles (heavy articles) can be seen as a faint striping effect and on all articles, a slight haze / satin appearance to the finished galvanizing coating.

What will happen next?

To maintain our progress towards the September 2024 deadline, we will be transitioning the remainder of our plants to the new non-Chrome passivation by 31st March 2024.

This transition will not affect the quality of the galvanizing.

You may observe slight difference in the appearance, such as a slight haze or satin appearance to the finished galvanizing coating or on heavy articles a faint striping effect.

We continually invest in our plants and equipment to ensure all our plants are designed and equipped to set industry-leading standards for sustainability and low environmental impact.

www.wedge-galv.co.uk