Henkel Corporation received a 2010 Automotive News PACE Environmental Award for its Aquence® Co-Cure coating process, at an awards ceremony on June 16 in Novi, Mich.
As a 2010 PACE Award winner for innovation, Henkel was also selected for this prestigious environmental award which recognizes automotive suppliers for their innovations that contribute to environmental sustainability. The Aquence® Co-Cure process reduces environmental impact since it contains no heavy metals or sludge, is low VOC and reduces energy consumption and waste treatment costs.
This environmentally responsible process layers the Aquence® 900-series of autodeposition coatings with a powder or liquid topcoat, and or adhesive and "co-cures" them together in a single oven. In addition, Henkel's Aquence® Co-Cure process simplifies conventional metal pretreatment by reducing it to a two-step coating process, therefore reducing the production footprint by up to 40 percent.
The Aquence® Co-Cure process has been commercially accepted by several industries, including automotive, alternative energy structures, home appliances and agriculture and construction equipment. In addition to its environmental benefits, this process improves corrosion protection and provides complete part coverage.
"Henkel's Aquence® Co-Cure improves the total value and productivity of manufacturing operations, while meeting stringent environmental requirements," said Chuck Evans, corporate vice president, Automotive, Henkel Corporation. "We are honored to be awarded the Automotive News PACE Environmental Award, a true symbol of Henkel's commitment to sustainability."