Kobe Steel to cease chromate-treated sheet production

Kobe Steel to cease chromate-treated sheet production

Japanese steel producer Kobe Steel has reportedly started commercial production of hot dip galvanized steel sheet without a chromate layer. As previously reported by SteelOrbis, Kobe Steel announced that it would make production without chromate as it damages environment. The new steel sheet will replace the current chromate-treated hot dip galvanized steel sheet products. Kobe Steel, which will completely end chromate-treated sheet production in March 2006, will be the first Japanese steel producer, whose coated sheet products are all free of chromate. Chromate-treated products have been produced for fifty years as chromate increases sheet's resistance to corrosion. However in order not to damage the environment, Kobe Steel has decided to produce its products free of chromate.