Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine - May/June 2023 - 20

PLATING AND ANODIZING: INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
Linda Newman [LN]: I believe one of the greatest
challenges in the anodizing industry is finding new talent
or the next generation of anodizers. Many anodizing
plants cannot compete for talent when going against new
manufacturing facilities that are clean, highly automated,
air conditioned, and do not contain hazardous chemicals.
Historically, tenured anodizing employees have their own
" tribal knowledge " for success, which has made it difficult
to train the next generation of anodizers. Unfortunately,
many of those anodizing employees are retiring, leaving a
significant void in talent.
Judy Runge-Nussbaum [JR-N]: The greatest challenge
currently facing the anodizing industry is the implementation
of sustainable practices that reduce, reuse, and recycle water
and chemistry at each step of the process, from cleaning and
pretreatment to anodizing, dyeing and sealing-including
rinses. The anodizing process utilizes the most water in the
entire metal finishing industry, and anodizers must seek to
reduce and reuse water. However, converting the anodizing
plant to a closed-loop facility (discharges no water) is not
enough, because solid waste is still produced. To limit solid
waste discharged to landfill, acid recovery is a must. For
anodizers to be true environmental stewards, while providing
the most attractive of all finishes for aluminum, sustainable
solutions that protect the environment must be carried out
for each step of the process.
The industry's greatest opportunity influencing
aluminum anodizing stems from the
implementation of sustainable practices.
- Judy Runge-Nussbaum
recently. There have been new chemicals and equipment
introduced, but I believe acid etching has made the most
significant impact by reducing rework and improving
surface imperfections from extrusion departments which are
producing metal faster with increased defects.
JR-N: Although it seems that recycled aluminum has been
with us for many years, the aluminum industry has recently
developed new technologies that have improved the quality of
recycled alloys, enabling their use for decorative applications.
Even with the improved quality of recycled aluminum,
anodizers must understand and respond to the impact of
variations in recycled content on aluminum microstructure
and consequently, anodic oxide growth, by making suitable
process adjustments to the anodizing circuit.
Historically, tenured anodizing employees have
their own " tribal knowledge " for success, which
has made it difficult to train the next generation of
anodizers. Unfortunately, many of those anodizing
employees are retiring, leaving a significant void in
talent.
- Linda Newman
AAC: What is the industry's greatest opportunity that's
influencing aluminum anodizing business this year?
TP: As American and Canadian manufacturing continues
to reshore back to North America, there is tremendous
opportunity for domestic anodizing companies to capitalise
on the increased finishing demand this will require.
JC: Commercially, specifications dictate finishing.
LN: Networking. Attending conferences to learn from
anodizing peers is an amazing opportunity. Collaborating and
networking makes us stronger as an industry.
AAC: What do you see as the most significant recent
technical advancement impacting the industry?
TP: The use of more environmentally friendly chemistry, such
as heavy metal-free colourants, seals, and other pretreatment
chemicals. As we move into a more environmentally
conscious world, anodizing is one of the greenest metal
finishing processes available, particularly when compared to
paints and other heavy metal plating finishes.
LN: I would say acid etching has been the most significant
technical advancement impacting the anodizing industry
20
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JR-N: The industry's greatest opportunity influencing
aluminum anodizing stems from the implementation of
sustainable practices, as I've previously outlined.
AAC: What event or issue do you see as driving the
aluminum anodizing industry into the future?
TP: Regulatory requirements as they relate to heavy metals,
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), and other
chemicals that are deemed hazardous will continue to shape
the anodizing industry. Therefore, continued investments
in research and innovation will be critical to the industry
moving into the future.
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Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine - May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine - May/June 2023
