Through extensive experience and knowledge, they have built up skills for electrochemical surface treatment. They offer electropolishing, derouging, passivation, deburring, chemical cleaning and much more.
With their range of surface treatments, HENKEL helps remove corrosion and unwanted surface layers even on-site, offers comprehensive documentation of their treatments (GMP) and gives technical metal surfaces increased functionality.
The company started operations in 1977 when galvanising expert Gerhard ADOLF and Dr. Georg HENKEL founded ADOLF GmbH and ADOLF GmbH & Co. KG in Waidhofen/Thaya, Austria. Initially, the many potential customers were completely unaware of the possibilities of electrochemical surface treatment. Customers needed to be educated about the basic benefits and technical possibilities of the process. Often, components intended for use in sensitive areas were mechanically polished, allowing abrasive residues and particles to migrate to the medium. Under a microscope, it was immediately clear that only topographical peaks were removed by mechanical grinding and the valleys were smeared by wear. Only electrochemical material removal cleared these valleys and rounded and cleaned the surface at the same time.
HENKEL's first order from a large pharmaceutical company in Vienna in 1977 can be described as a global innovation. At the time, this project was the first systematic electropolishing work ever carried out on large pharmaceutical components. In total, HENKEL treated the surfaces of 10 pharmaceutical containers using electrochemical polishing.
Electropolished surface treatment is specifically used in highly sensitive production areas and aseptic bottling. This is the only way to prevent the transfer of abrasive residues and particles while preparing the stainless steel containers for CIP. This first successful project was followed by countless others in the pharmaceutical sector.
Alongside this core industry, HENKEL also offers final cleaning of components and pipes in its own cleanrooms.
In 1982, HENKEL operated as a franchise under the name Poligrat as part of a Central European franchise organisation. This association lasted for over a decade until HENKEL separated from Poligrat in 1994. The company has been named after its founder, HENKEL, ever since. The name HENKEL now stands for expertise in surfaces and materials as well as excellent quality, reliable delivery and flexibility.
As the number of customers in different industries grew, so did individual challenges for facilities, processes and personnel. In addition to moving to a larger site in Waidhofen, the company expanded in Hungary and Germany to establish and develop partnerships with companies including Dockweiler. Over the years, what was once a two-man business has become an international group with over 150 employees.
In addition to expanding the space, the company has also continued to evolve from a technical perspective to offer their surface treatment services to a much wider range of customers.
HENKEL therefore boasts special facilities that allow them to polish coils and both the inside and outside of tubes. In 2016, HENKEL gained a facility for internal electropolishing of corrugated pipes at their factory in Neustadt-Glewe. In addition, a new facility for chemical polishing of gas cylinders was launched in Waidhofen/Thaya and the company is now able to process large components in their huge, modern pickling plant in Györ. Cathode technology has also evolved specifically, now allowing complex tube shapes or very large tanks to be electropolished according to need and specification.
Another HENKEL speciality is their on-site processing options at the customer's premises. Dismantling and transporting large tanks and components is not always economically viable or feasible, especially for fixed appliances, which is why the company has developed special procedures for on-site use. The human and technical requirements to make these a reality have been constantly improved and optimised ever since. HENKEL on-site service is an important part of the company's service portfolio with established teams in Austria and Germany. A third on-site team is currently being set up for the Eastern European market.
Thanks to their high quality, HENKEL helps customers achieve greater functionality, efficiency and sustainability. HENKEL wants to become the most important supplier for comprehensive and professional surface treatment of metals in Europe.
At Alflow, we offer a wide range of services in co-operation with Henkel. Contact us to find out more.
