Switch to Chrome (III)

Newform advances its commitment to sustainable production by successfully completing the transition from hexavalent to trivalent chromium in its automated surface treatment line.

Since the beginning, the project involved significant research to identify the best technologies and partners, ranging from chemistry to equipment solutions. Its success is therefore the result of close collaboration between Newform and its suppliers—companies with great experience and technical expertise whose contributions were essential to bringing the project to a successful conclusion.

While upgrading the chrome plating line, the company also implemented a further "revamping" of the automatic system, modernizing the electrical panel and software to carefully manage the process and improve productivity, quality and consistency in the production cycle.

A transformation driven by three pillars: Quality, Health, and Sustainability.

It is now well-established that eliminating hexavalent chromium brings significant benefits in terms of health, safety, and environmental protection—core values for Newform.

Trivalent chromium requires more sophisticated equipment, processes and controls, but offers considerable advantages such as excellent resistance to corrosion and chemicals, while maintaining the product's high aesthetic quality over time. Therefore, its benefits extend beyond safety and sustainability to include aesthetic and functional effectiveness. In fact, from the perspective of the finished product, any aesthetic or technical issues related to the use of trivalent chromium are now considered fully resolved. The finishes achieved are indistinguishable from those of hexavalent chromium, with the added benefit of a more uniform electroplated deposit, ensuring superior corrosion resistance, verified through rigorous in-house testing.

Finally, thanks to equipment modernization and reduced energy consumption, the company has been able to minimize its environmental impact, with lower emissions and improved management of wastewater from purification processes.

Thanks to the switch to trivalent chromium, Newform not only innovates its processes but also redefines standards of sustainability and quality, creating a future where design, technology, and environmental responsibility coexist in Italian-made excellence.