Six questions for ... Hannah Betz

Hannah Betz, Strategy and Innovation Manager at hard chrome plating company Betz Chrom, interview: Robert Piterek

The back and forth between the ECHA and the EU Commission regarding chromium trioxide has been a burden on the industry for quite a long time. How relieved are you about the authorization?

We are very relieved because we prepared this application over a long period of time and the positive conclusion is now here. The decision dragged on from 2021 to 2024, during which time the outside world didn't stand still and there was a great deal of uncertainty for us. As a contract coater, we have now been granted the longest possible approval period of twelve years - which is also a positive signal for the industry.

There is now talk of a restriction on chromium trioxide. You are now independent of this...

I have the impression that some people in the industry are now thinking: the restriction is coming and we don't need any more applications. But we should not forget that this is a proposal that the ECHA is working on and that the EU Commission will then decide on. There will have to be exemptions for hard chrome platers and the discussion on limit values will start all over again. This will take time and in the meantime we need to be legally certain. ECHA and the EU Commission have said that the authorizations will be taken into account in the restriction. After all, we have already given them a very deep insight into our production and therefore into the industry during the approval process.

You are involved in research into chromium(III) electrolytes, i.e. the substitution of chromium(VI). What is the current status?

We are researching alternatives to chromium(VI) because, regardless of the approval, there should be a process that we can use to replace a significant proportion of sales. After all, the issue of occupational safety cannot be ignored. However, we have noticed that we are struggling with processes outside of electroplating, which is why we are focusing very much on chromium(III), but are also keeping an eye on other processes such as extreme high-speed laser cladding (EHLA) and flame spraying. In electroplating, electroless nickel can also be an alternative. The ECHA has positively assessed the fact that, considering how small we are, we are doing a lot of research into alternatives.

Is it fulfilling for you to be an entrepreneur at this time?

I definitely find it fulfilling because I think it makes sense. It also makes sense for the jobs. We have been using 100% green electricity since 2008 and are certified for energy and environmental management. Chrome plating is needed and we can carry it out under optimal conditions. If industries like ours had to move abroad, I would find that morally terrible. We would lose the jobs and have much longer journeys. And we actually want to keep the industry here. Elsewhere, production would take place under much worse conditions.

How is business going, what is the outlook?

The fact that the mechanical engineering sector is weakening has not passed us by. However, we assume that this will change in the second half of the year, perhaps even in the fourth quarter. The approval is having a positive effect. We are receiving inquiries from interested parties who are becoming aware of us because of the authorization. After all, we now have process reliability for twelve years.

Why do you advertise with a rhinoceros?

That was my mother's idea. It's part of our slogan: Your partner for strong components. The rhinoceros symbolizes strength and has a special skin, i.e. surface. It is also a symbol for species protection and therefore also for environmental protection. It fits in well with our vision of green electroplating!