Fully utilized

Striking statements like "We don't need energy-intensive industry in Europe, we just need the bright minds" from a member of our government gives a deep insight. A kind of Freudian slip regarding one's own inner attitude toward "industry" as such - one might assume. What is clear is that uncertain prospects and regulatory arbitrariness are slowing down economic development. A central issue in this regard, in addition to our government's energy policy driven by many fantastic notions, is the bureaucracy from Brussels. According to insiders, ECHA is said to be barely able to process the applications for the second round of chromic acid authorization. And what are the companies affected by the authorization and the related effort supposed to say? Even more so, there are no traceable rules for which time periods use cases are granted. Investments in new and modern hard chrome equipment will thus become rare. Is this what Europe wants, to motivate the closure of highly developed and environmentally friendly plants and to promote low-tech plants with all the associated consequences in more distant countries? After all, hard chrome will not be substitutable in the foreseeable future in the breadth of its application. There is also information that the authorization application of a large consortium for Use 3, i.e. decorative chrome, will probably be rejected. In that case, many companies will have to cease operations without ever having demonstrated a concrete risk to humans or nature.

With all understanding for the goals of protecting the environment, people and employees, there is a difference between factual need for action and bureaucratic zeal. Effort and effect should be in good proportion. In the implementation of REACH, on the other hand, bureaucracy seems to be becoming more and more an end in itself. For example, under the Green Deal, consideration is being given to banning more or less all substances and then re-approving them one by one. Apart from the question of what substances will then be left for industrial production and for how long - how does ECHA intend to process the flood of applications if, after the martyrdom of the electroplating industry that has now lasted for many years, it is not even in a position to cope with its authorization applications? A moratorium on burdens for the industry would be desirable, in that politicians and authorities would not impose more on the companies for a while. Even if this is likely to remain a pipe dream, it helps to create public awareness of one's own problems. Medium-sized companies in particular should come out of the shadows, ask their local politicians to visit them and confront them with their problems and needs.

As grueling as the situation may be, giving up is the worst of all options. In the April issue of MO you will find constructive examples and suggestions on how to confront the many current challenges in surface technology. Among other things, a company is presented that not only had to contend with uneconomical production in the start-up phase, but also had to overcome the Corona pandemic at the same time. Unbending commitment from the managing director to the employees and consistent optimization of its own processes have since put the company on the road to success. The increasingly urgent shortage of skilled workers is also addressed - automation cannot be the sole answer here; companies must learn to become attractive employers. It is also interesting to note that a traditional hard chrome contract coater is investing in a system for extreme high-speed laser buildup welding to supplement its portfolio and is carrying out intensive process development for this purpose.