„Less is More“ – by reducing layer thickness, Voigt & Schweitzer saves up to 80 percent layer thickness with microZINQ® while simultaneously increasing corrosion protection with innovative zinc melt technology. At the end of November, the Gelsenkirchen-based group was awarded for this raw material innovation by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology. microZINQ® received the Raw Material Efficiency Award as an outstanding practical example of optimal raw material and material utilisation.

microZINQ® uses just ten micrometres of zinc, thereby achieving better corrosion protection compared to a classic hot-dip galvanizing according to DIN EN ISO 1461. For comparison: according to the current DIN standard, zinc coatings of around 70 micrometres are standard.

„The application of microZINQ® technology conserves raw material resources and the environment,“ said Lars Baumgürtel, Managing Director at Voigt & Schweitzer, upon receiving the award in Berlin.

Not only is the zinc saving potential enormous, but the process temperature can also be kept significantly lower compared to conventional hot-dip galvanising. The eutectic alloy composition of zinc and aluminium ensures a lower melting point – instead of reaching 450°C, the pots only need to be heated to a temperature of 420°C. This results in a significant reduction in energy consumption of more than five percent.

This leads to visibly better results from the „savings“: the resource-efficient surface exhibits ductile deformation behaviour and can also be subsequently coated with conventional wet or powder coating systems. While welding classic piece-galvanised components is not recommended, as a relatively large amount of zinc evaporates and can lead to high porosity and thus poor weld seam quality, good welding quality can be achieved with micro-galvanised surfaces. Another advantage of the innovative process: the formation of the zinc layer is independent of the silicon/phosphorus content of the steel and also excels with high and ultra-high-strength steel grades.

„For us, the award is excellent proof that quality, function and resource efficiency do not have to be mutually exclusive. Quite the opposite – steel is well-suited to our low-temperature process,“ says Lars Baumgürtel.

In addition to the many functional advantages, microZINQ® delivers a practically brilliant result: a bright, high-gloss surface with convincing corrosion protection properties and built-in gloss retention thanks to the passive properties of the zinc-aluminium coating.

About the award

The German Resource Efficiency Prize is awarded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology to outstanding examples of resource- and material-efficient products, processes, or services, as well as application-oriented research results. The award is endowed with €10,000 – money that will be invested in research and development at Voigt & Schweitzer.