Two years ago, Griesser installed a new, cutting-edge continuous flow system at its site in Aadorf, Switzerland, to facilitate the surface pretreatment of aluminium products prior to powder coating. It was designed to accommodate a conventional three-stage pretreatment process involving degreasing, pickling and passivation. Including the rinsing steps, the process involved five treatment stations – each with a volume of 3.500 litres.

Conducted as separate steps, the cleaning, pickling and passivation processes were highly complex, prompting Griesser AG to seek a simpler process solution that was more sustainable and cost-efficient.

Griesser set out to find a suitable process, and in summer 2023 came into contact with Thommen-Furler, a distribution company for industrial chemicals. Thommen-Furler is Henkel Adhesive Technologies’ official distribution partner for water-miscible cooling lubricants, industrial cleaning solutions and surface technology products in Switzerland. The ChemCare^® business model employed by Thommen-Furler AG is built on integrating suppliers and business partners into processes and offering solutions from a single source.

Griesser leveraged the expertise of the surface technology specialists at Thommen-Furler AG and ultimately found the right solution in Bonderite, Henkel’s leading brand for surface technology. “Bonderite enables us to shorten and simplify our pretreatment processes, giving rise to competitive advantages that our company can harness,” explains Yves Osterwalder, team lead for coatings at Griesser. “As a qualified supplier for surface technology processes, Thommen-Furler AG offers us exactly the support we need to drive process optimization, with its expertise in procurement, handling and consulting.” The Bonderite products currently being used are M-NT 2040 R8 and C-AD 1270.

The changeover also led to a fundamental realignment of the process concept behind the continuous flow pretreatment system, and significantly increased efficiency. As part of the new process, aluminium undergoes combined pickling and degreasing in the first chamber with Bonderite M-NT 2024 R8 and Bonderite C-AD 1270. This combined pickling and degreasing step removes impurities and oxides in a single process. Griesser applies the same principle for the second step, too. This involves the cleaned and partially pickled aluminium entering the second chamber to undergo a combined pickling and passivation process.

Bonderite M-NT 2024 R8 is used to pickle the product once more while simultaneously passivating it. The aluminium is then rinsed in the third and fourth chambers, as was the case in the previous process. However, since cleaning, pickling and passivation are performed in the first two steps, the surface pretreatment process ends here, meaning the fifth chamber is no longer used.

Since switching to Henkel’s chromium-free Bonderite products in January 2024, Griesser has streamlined its aluminium pretreatment process by combining cleaning, pickling, and passivation into faster, more efficient steps. The change cut chemical use by around 50%, reduced energy consumption by lowering process temperatures, and eliminated an entire chamber from production, all while delivering outstanding corrosion protection and surface quality. These improvements save significant time and costs while supporting sustainability. With the new system, Griesser produces about 220 powder-coated aluminium bars daily for its sun protection systems and plans further process optimizations in partnership with Thommen-Furler AG.

Based in Aadorf, Switzerland, Griesser Group is a family-run company with a long history. Founded in 1882 by Anton Griesser, it today ranks among Europe’s leading companies for high-quality, aesthetically refined sun protection systems for windows and patios. The company employs roughly 1.600 people across six sites in Switzerland, Austria, France and Germany, and generated revenues of around 370 million Swiss francs in 2022.

Since 1990, Thommen-Furler AG has focused on distributing chemicals, specialty products, and lubricants; environmental technology; and the disposal and recycling of industrial and hazardous waste based on the ChemCare^® concept. Thommen-Furler AG's increasing specialization is reflected in its expanding range of industrial chemicals, including a rapidly growing selection of specialty chemicals, such as solutions for surface treatments and industrial cleaners. Thanks to integrated transport logistics, Thommen-Furler AG provides supply and disposal services to around 14.000 industrial and automotive sector customers throughout Switzerland. Thommen-Furler AG is part of the Thommen-Furler Group, which employs approximately 400 people throughout Switzerland. The Thommen-Furler Group comprises Thommen-Furler AG, Alcosuisse AG, Erne surface AG and Alab AG.

Discover how Thomen-Furler delivered a complete metal pretreatment solution for Griesser AG - enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving product quality. Follow the journey from challenge to implementation, and learn how our all-in-one system transformed their production process. Perfect for professionals seeking proven results in metal pretreatment.