Knowledge is Power - Join Our Free Webinar!
Columbia Chemical is excited to partner with Products Finishing to offer you our next free webinar: The Switch from Decorative Hexavalent to Trivalent Plating is Happening: Will You Be Ready? With a hexavalent phase-out being proposed on the West Coast and nationwide PFAS regulatory focus intensifying on Capitol Hill, it's now a matter of when—not if—decorative applicators will have to make the switch from hexavalent to trivalent chromium plating. Being prepared will be the key to success and equipping yourself with knowledge in advance is critical. This webinar will examine the history and longevity of trichrome, explore current and pending regulations, provide an in-depth comparison of hexavalent, trivalent and trivalent with reclaim in regards to performance, color and cost and will present a case study. We will conclude with a Q&A session. No matter where you fall in your readiness to switch, this webinar will offer beneficial information for decorative platers, OEMs, tier suppliers, engineers and others who understand the decorative plating industry is shifting now and getting ahead of it is the best option.
This exclusive self-contained TriCOL® Reclaim Trial Tank is currently in place in Michigan with beautiful parts coming out of production – testing at 81.5-82 L value. The results from this trial already convinced another decorative plater to install their own trial. Our TriCOL® Reclaim™ chemistry is a game changer. What are you waiting for? Schedule your trial today!
EPA Announces Intent to set PFAS Discharge Limits
As a leader in the surface finishing industry, we take seriously our commitment to keep our customers informed about industry news and regulations. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of man-made chemicals characterized by a strong bond between fluorine and carbon, continues to be under intense review for regulatory changes and legislation that will impact our industry.

NASF National Association for Surface Finishing has been actively involved in advocacy and education for its members on this topic and has also been submitting updates for the entire industry through Products Finishing magazine. For your convenience, we have provided links to the last three updates submitted, including the announcement by the EPA regarding their intent to set PFAS discharge limits.


Currently, the arm of NASF that focuses on regulatory updates, public policy, and advocacy is more important than ever as the industry faces increased scrutiny and potential regulations that may impact operational costs and business viability for plating shops throughout the country. For more information on supporting these efforts or to review their in-depth PFAS resource center, visit NASF.org.

PFAS was\is used in hexavalent decorative plating as a mist suppressant. As initial discussion hints at requiring added filtration equipment and burdensome testing regulations, as well as setting strict discharge limits, this regulatory focus is accelerating the need for decorative platers to switch from hexavalent chrome plating to trivalent chrome plating and for OEMs and Tier one suppliers to include decorative trivalent plating in their specs and standards. Join our webinar on October 6 to be more prepared for this industry shift.
Come join us at SUR/FIN 2021!
Columbia Chemical is proud to be presenting two technical education sessions that will be offered at this year's Sur/Fin conference in Detroit, Michigan (session details below). In addition, we will exhibiting at Booth #435 where our team of product and technical specialists will be on hand to troubleshoot your top challenges and showcase samples and review third party comparative testing data on our innovative new TriCOL® Reclaim™ process that is making waves in the industry. Contact us for a free registration code.

Decorative Plating: Developing Standardized Testing for Trivalent Chrome Thickness
SESSION 2: New Trends & Advances in Surface Finishing / Engineering
Tuesday, November 2, 8:00 a.m.

Decorative Plating: Examining the Cost and Performance Drivers Behind the Switch from Hexavalent to Trivalent and Exploring the New Trivalent Electrolyte with Reclaim Capabilities
SESSION 9: Advances in Automotive Finishing
Thursday, November 4, 9:30 a.m.
Delivering superior plating solutions and the highest level of expertise to our customers through our Finisher's Advantage program.
Columbia Chemical Corp.
330-225-3200