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CFPA from Rasselstein – a move towards a chromium-free future

thyssenkrupp Rasselstein offers its customers CFPA (Chromium-Free Passivation Alternative), a 100-percent chromium-free passivation on the surface of tinplate that is REACH-compliant. The modern product offers the same functionality as the previous chromium-based passivations.

CFPA effectively minimizes the tin oxide growth during storage, providing the same functionality as chromium-based passivation. It gives tinplate high-quality surface properties, such as a brilliant appearance, best lacquer adhesion, excellent wettability, and very good direct printability.

In the context of surface treatments, passivation refers to the targeted application of a protective layer on a metallic material which prevents or significantly slows down oxidation of the base material.

thyssenkrupp launches CFPA on the market

surface of packaging steel

CFPA was developed in a collaboration of the members of APEAL, the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging. Chromium-free passivation complies entirely with EU and FDA rules and is safe for contact with food. CFPA has been classified as a new passivation standard in European standard EN10202:2022; in addition, it has been listed as an alternative passivation for tinplate in the ASTM A624/A624M and ASTM A626/A626M standards since 2022. The passivation is free of chromium and is based on titanium and zirconium oxides. The protective layer stabilizes the tin oxide in a manner similar to chromium passivation, prevents surface oxidation, and provides the desired product performance. CFPA meets our rigorous quality criteria; we conduct comprehensive tests to verify that its new passivation offers the same functionality as chrome-based passivation systems.

CFPA is appropriate for use with the latest generations of BPA-NI coatings

Packaging Steel

For several years, the use of the innovative passivation has been widely tested: since 2019, can manufacturers have extensively tested CFPA on hundreds of packages in all product categories, such as food cans, general line, aerosol cans, and other types of packaging including closures. Customer feedback is consistent with our own positive test results. thyssenkrupp Rasselstein conducted representative storage tests for its CFPA solution with the Parma-based SSICA Institute on two products frequently found in food cans (chickpea puree and diced tomatoes with basil). A three-year shelf life study demonstrates that there are no storage differences between CFPA and the prior chrome-based standard 311. Corrosion resistance and sulphide staining resistance were both identical. Tinplate with CFPA is suitable for contact with food without any restrictions. The results also offer information about the usability for other tinplate products: the packaging tests were successful.

Additionally, CFPA provides planning security for future lacquers and coatings that are now being created expressly for chromium-free passivation. Since it has a higher surface tension than chromium-based passivations, the coating has the best prerequisites for the transition to BPA-NI lacquers. Furthermore, CFPA provides tinplate with high-quality surface qualities that both maintain the tinplate’s brilliant appearance and allow for direct printability.

Comprehensive support for customers

technical customer service at Packaging Steel

When transitioning to CFPA, our customers can rely on our support. In addition, the network of lacquer suppliers, packaging steel manufacturer, packaging manufacturers and fillers, established by thyssenkrupp Rasselstein ensures that the conversion to tinplate with chromium-free passivation works as smoothly as possible.

As one of the earliest producers of the new passivation, the Andernach-based company draws on vast expertise. “Right from the start, our goal was to provide our customers with a product that is up to all future challenges while also providing the familiar and safe handling that our customers were accustomed to in the previous application process. I am confident that we have met this objective,” Dr. Heiner Schäfgen explained. thyssenkrupp Rasselstein uses a cutting-edge spray application to apply CFPA. “Our passivation equipment is an innovative engineering feat with which we achieve extremely precise and stable process control with particularly homogeneous results,” Schäfgen said.

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Contact

thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Strasse 100

47166 Duisburg, Germany

+49 (0)203 52-0

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