MADISON HEIGHTS, MI - After a successful trial, Henkel has expanded testing of its new Bonderite® conversion coating process. The testing will take place at the Ford Motor Co. Twin Cities manufacturing facility in St. Paul, MN. Henkel’s new process is the automotive industry’s first non-phosphate conversion coating for multi-metal bodies. The technology significantly reduces costs and improves the efficiency of vehicle assembly pretreatment operations while reducing the environmental impact.

The new coating eliminates the problems associated with the conventional zinc-phosphate pretreatments. It eliminates pretreatment sludge, reduces landfill requirements and simplifies wastewater treatment. The coating is free of phosphate, VOC and CO2-equivalent emissions resulting in minimal environmental impact. It is applied at room temperature, reducing utilities and natural resource requirements. With this coating, the pretreatment footprint can be reduced 20 to 40 percent in a brownfield site as well as in a greenfield operation.