Industrial Gas Springs is helping equipment manufacturers to meet stringent EC environmental and product recycling standards by adopting zerovalent chrome plating as the standard finish for operating rods across its complete range of UK-made gas springs - with the exception of all-stainless steel variants.

In laboratory tests, implemented to food industry standards under European Directive EU97/48/EC, the company's electrolytically-deposited metallic chrome has proved to pose no risk to human health or the environment. Furthermore, it provides several important operational benefits for gas spring users.

Firstly, it enables automotive industry customers to comply with vehicle end-of-life recycling requirements under EC Directive EU2000/53/EC; widely regarded as the yardstick of good practice across a number of other product manufacturing sectors. In addition, chrome's special micro-cracking surface structure significantly enhances seal performance and longevity compared with other processes such as nitriding. This, combined with the metal's lower microporosity, not only minimises molecular gas loss, but also substantially increases the service life of IGS units.

Industrial Gas Springs has also underlined its 'green credentials' with the introduction of a minimal cost recycling and disposal service, which guarantees that old units are decommissioned safely - without any uncontrolled release of gas pressure - and that components and materials are reclaimed under strictly-controlled, environmental friendly conditions.