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Keronite plans to install further production capability in Europe
Keronite PLC of Cambridge, UK, confirmed that an agreement with Portugal based Caetano Coatings has been reached for the installation of a fully automated Keronite® production line for high volume and batch production. Two versions of the patented Keronite Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) process are to be installed in Carregado, Portugal for the surface treatment of both aluminium and magnesium components. The major facility is expected to be fully operational before the end of the year.
The Salvador Caetano Group of companies was founded in 1946 by Salvador Caetano. Their portfolio includes car retail services, industrial machinery, renewable energy, nautical and industrial services, buses and information technologies. Caetano Coatings, their coating and surface treatment business for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, was founded in 1991 and has since then gained an enviable reputation in the world of coatings in Europe.
Their ISO certified facilities in Portugal supply market leaders in the automotive and general engineering industries. They are currently servicing their high volume partners with state-of-the art powdercoat and wet/dry paint facilities and are keen to add the Keronite process to their portfolio. The R&D department at Caetano Coatings is known for the development of new and innovative technologies and the partnership with Keronite PLC will provide a solid basis for this focus.
The new Keronite facility will be located in Carregado, Portugal,, on Caetano’s existing premises, about 30 km from Lisbon. With a population of around 10,000, Carregado is a suburb of Lisbon, a developing city and host to 5 of Portugal’s’ biggest companies
Caetano Coatings is aiming to establish a light metal coatings centre there to offer their service not only to companies in Iberia but throughout the whole of Europe.
Keronite and Caetano Coatings have for some time been working closely together on the development of innovative surface treatment solutions for automotive and general industrial applications. Caetano Coatings CEO, Carlos Martins, and the General Manager, Paulo Torres, explain the synergies between the two companies. “Keronite offers a unique process which will enable us to differentiate and add value to our customers’ products. In addition, the technology is eco-friendly, using no chrome or other harmful heavy metals and this is perfectly in line with our own corporate values. Our two companies share a strong partnership mentality and together, we are confident not only that Keronite and Caetano Coatings will succeed, but more importantly, that our customers will also reap the benefits of our alliance.”
Keronite CEO, Lars Olrik, is equally enthusiastic about the prospects for the new partnership in Iberia. “Caetano Coatings is a perfect partner for Keronite. We share a heartfelt commitment to the provision of high quality and innovative products. Our organisations are professional and dynamic, and Iberia is exactly where we want to be. Portugal and Spain are vital focal points for a variety of European automotive and general engineering industries and this will inevitably drive the business.”
Initially, the new facility will focus on magnesium and aluminium applications for the automotive sector but Caetano Coatings is planning to venture quickly into high-end functional coatings for a variety of other industries. The company has a large customer base in Europe, many of whom have already expressed an interest in the new technology.
“This latest addition to our network of operating partners in Europe is a real sign of our commitment to the European market, “explains Olrik. “We have always wanted to raise our profile in this exciting region and with a world class partner like Caetano Coatings, success is all but guaranteed!”
Source: Keronite PLC
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