thinner. But in using aluminum ECKART came up against a natural
physical border, as the metal cannot be evaporated to become
as thin as desired.
An alternative was needed. “We got the idea of trying it
with chrome,” says Wolfgang Herzing, the group manager at the
technology center. The metal chrome is characterized by high
chemical stability and its high metallic gloss, known particularly
from the automotive sector (on trim, for example).
Chrome is evaporated onto a fi lm reactively in an oxygen
atmosphere; the further pigment manufacture occurs analogous
to the process of manufacturing PVD aluminum pigments.
Since demand for the product is currently increasing, the production
capacities were already expanded.
Highly Dramatic Effect
The patented effect pigment METALURE® Liquid Black has a
wide range of uses. It can be applied to coat outdoor objects
(for instance, automobile bodies) and also has applications in
the premium consumer goods segment. For example, it can be
Creating Added Value at ALTANA 29
Testing, testing, testing – this includes checking the
chemical resistance (photo bottom left). This is
one of the many work steps in product development.
Wolfgang Herzing (photo on the right),
the group manager at the technology center, and
the R&D and product management team examine
the metallic effect of the test objects.
used to coat speedometers in the automotive industry. It is not
only the highly dramatic “black metallic effect” that is impressive,
but also the color fastness under strong UV light.
Years of Research and Development Work
ECKART did several years of research and development work before
the product reached market maturity – or, as Dr. Klaus
Greiwe, Product Manager Added Value at ECKART, says: “Turned
around molecules.” This was possible because the ALTANA
Group had allocated the resources needed for many years of research
and development.
“The framework conditions are right at ALTANA,” says
Dr. Klaus Greiwe. In addition, there is entrepreneurial thinking,
which includes stamina. Says Wolfgang Herzing: “Despite
the considerable efforts we had to make at the beginning, we
didn’t throw in the towel. With our determination, inventiveness,
and persistence we created METALURE® Liquid Black
and thus provided our stakeholders with the necessary added
value.”