ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES NON-CONFIDENTIAL VERSION Legal name of applicant(s): KEUCO GmbH & Co. KG Submitted by: KEUCO GmbH & Co. KG Substance: Chromium trioxide, EC No: 215-607-8, CAS No: 1333-82-0 Use title: Electroplating of different types of substrates using chromium trioxide to achieve functional surfaces with high durability and a bright or matt silvery appearance for sanitary applications Use number: 1 Use number: 1 Copy right protected – Property of KEUCO GmbH & Co. KG – No copying / i use allowed. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES Disclaimer This document shall not be construed as expressly or implicitly granting a license or any rights to use related to any content or information contained therein. In no event shall applicant be liable in this respect for any damage arising out or in connection with access, use of any content or information contained therein despite the lack of approval to do so. ii Use number: 1 Copy right protected – Property of KEUCO GmbH & Co. KG – No copying / use allowed. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES CONTENTS DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................................................... XI 1 SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 2 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 The substance ................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Scope - uses of chromium trioxide ................................................................................................... 4 2.3 The sanitary sector ............................................................................................................................ 5 2.4 Purpose and benefits of chromium trioxide usage for coating of sanitary goods ............................. 5 3 ANALYSIS OF SUBSTANCE FUNCTION.......................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Metallic chrome coating in sanitary applications ............................................................................. 7 3.2 Process description for functional chrome plating with decorative character .................................. 9 3.2.1 Plating process for sanitary products made from metal substrates ......................................................... 11 Cr(VI)-free pre- and main-treatment processes ..................................................................... 11 Chrome-plating step .............................................................................................................. 13 Post-treatment processes ....................................................................................................... 13 3.2.2 Plating process for sanitary products made from plastic substrates ....................................................... 14 Etching pre-treatment with chromium trioxide ..................................................................... 15 Cr(VI)-free pre-treatment ...................................................................................................... 16 Chrome step and post-treatment ............................................................................................ 17 3.3 Key functionalities of chromium trioxide based electroplating ........................................................ 17 3.3.1 Corrosion resistance ............................................................................................................................... 19 3.3.2 Wear resistance / abrasion resistance ..................................................................................................... 20 3.3.3 Adhesion ................................................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.4 Chemical resistance / resistance against cleaning agents ....................................................................... 20 3.3.5 Temperature change resistance / heat resistance .................................................................................... 21 3.3.6 Colour consistency ................................................................................................................................. 21 3.3.7 Surface appearance ................................................................................................................................. 21 3.3.8 Prevention of nickel leaching ................................................................................................................. 22 3.3.9 Sunlight resistance / UV resistance ........................................................................................................ 23 3.3.10 Process conditions and reliability ........................................................................................................... 23 3.3.11 Longevity ............................................................................................................................................... 24 3.4 European drinking water directive .................................................................................................... 24 4 ANNUAL TONNAGE............................................................................................................................................ 27 5 IDENTIFICATION OF POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES ......................................................................................... 28 5.1 Description of efforts made to identify possible alternatives ........................................................... 28 5.1.1 Research and development ..................................................................................................................... 28 5.1.2 Data searches .......................................................................................................................................... 29 5.1.3 Consultations .......................................................................................................................................... 29 5.2 List of possible alternatives .............................................................................................................. 29 6 SUITABILITY AND AVAILABILITY OF POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES ......................................................... 31 6.1 Rejected Alternatives (No. 3 – 11) ................................................................................................... 31 6.2 Shortlisted alternatives ..................................................................................................................... 33 6.2.1 ALTERNATIVE 1: Trivalent chromium electroplating ........................................................................ 33 Substance ID and properties / process description ................................................................ 33 Technical feasibility .............................................................................................................. 34 Economic feasibility .............................................................................................................. 39 Reduction of overall risk due to transition to the alternative ................................................. 41 Availability ............................................................................................................................ 41 Conclusion on suitability and availability for trivalent chromium electroplating ................. 42 6.2.2 ALTERNATIVE 2 a: PVD based processes - PVD metal ..................................................................... 42 Substance ID and properties / process description ................................................................ 42 Technical feasibility - PVD metal ......................................................................................... 43 Economic feasibility .............................................................................................................. 47 Reduction of overall risk due to transition to the alternative ................................................. 48 Availability ............................................................................................................................ 48 Conclusion on suitability and availability of PVD metal processes ...................................... 48 Use number: 1 Copy right protected – Property of KEUCO GmbH & Co. KG – No copying / iii use allowed. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 6.2.3 ALTERNATIVE 2 b: PVD based processes - lacquer + PVD + lacquer ............................................... 49 Substance ID and properties / process description ................................................................ 49 Technical feasibility - lacquer + PVD systems ..................................................................... 49 Economic feasibility .............................................................................................................. 54 Reduction of overall risk due to transition to the alternative ................................................. 55 Availability ............................................................................................................................ 56 Conclusion on suitability