Specialists in zinc coating ZWM Strumet

SPECIALISTS IN ZINC COATING

ZWM STRUMET Ltd, based in Strumien in south-east Poland, is Poland’s largest manufacturer of transportation and storage systems. It is also one of the largest companies of its kind in Europe. Dariusz Balcerzyk reports.

ZWM STRUMET Ltd has been established for more than 20 years and is well known both in Poland and abroad. The company’s core product range consists of various kinds of containers. “We help our clients to choose a proper container for their individual needs. We also produce container prototypes, which may be tested by a client before serial production,” says Ryszard Sciskala, STRUMET’s president of the board.

STRUMET’s products are mainly destined for the automotive industry. They are also used by the metal industry, chemical industry, construction and other industries.

The company uses high quality welding sand to makes its products; the welding process itself is supervised by qualified inspectors as well as by scientific and research institutions. According to the client’s requirements, the products are coated with lacquer on an electrostatic ‘wet’ lacquering line or coated with zinc in a hot dip zinc plant. STRUMET is able to manufacture containers in electrogalvanised or powder painted versions.

Constant growth and development

STRUMET has a design office which is equipped with the latest CATIA V5 and Autodesk Inventor software. “Thanks to strong teamwork, we can design products from scratch. The entire process is focused on maximising safety and minimising the costs related to using the container – as the costs are generated not only by the price of the container but also by the space it requires during transport and storage,” explains Mr Sciskala.

In March 2008, the company put its zinc coating plant into operation. “It is the largest and most modern zinc plating plant in Podbeskidzie and is one of the largest such plants in Poland.”

The last three years have seen great investments in the company, including a 50 per cent increase in production space and the purchase of modern computer-controlled machines and the latest design software. STRUMET has numerically controlled automatic pipe cutting machines, a numerical cornice brake, a TRUMATIC L 3030 laser cutting plotter and many of other modern machines. The company has recently started the construction of a powder coating plant.

Modern zinc coating plant

The company is very proud of its zinc coating plant. “Zinc is a natural metallic chemical element,” says Mr Sciskala. “It is present in our natural environment, in the air, soil and water reservoirs. Zinc is not harmful to the environment; it is even a necessary element for living organisms.”

The hot-dip zinc coating (plating), known as zinc coating by immersion, is one of the most efficient methods of steel structure rustproof protection. The process consists of submerging steel objects in a tank filled with melted zinc alloy at a temperature of 445–455oC. The average zinc loss in this kind of structure ranges from 1–2 µm per year (for use under non-aggressive conditions). Therefore, the average working life of zinc coats is 30 years, but it can reach even 100 years.

STRUMET’s zinc coating plant is equipped with modern environmental protection devices. All process tanks are provided with a chemical leakage protection system in case the tank loses its tightness. Tank extractors are connected to an absorber to prevent chemical vapours from being released into the environment. The zinc coating plant releases no liquid waste, because process solutions operate within a closed circuit.

Recognised quality

“Our efforts to satisfy our customers are confirmed by the certified quality management system applied at our plant. Our efforts have also been widely appreciated: We received Dedal Award in 2010, for creating a positive image of the Podbeskidzie region. In 2011 we were awarded the Golden Laurel of Skills and Competences. Also in 2011, Dun & Bradstreet, the leading international provider of global business information, awarded STRUMET with the Certificate of Business Credibility,” concludes Mr Sciskala. n

MALCHEM

MALCHEM, a company based in Poland, is a producer of paints and varnishes for anti-corrosion protection of steel and concrete. Our offer is based on fastdrying alkyd paints, and modern, chemical-resistant epoxy and polyurethane products. The MALCHEM products have the appropriate approvals, confirming the high quality, repeatability and reliability. MALCHEM provides a professional service, including: technical advice, reliable information and valuation, training of painting teams, supervision during the implementation of the coatings, adjustment of the coating technical parameters for optimal application, flexibility of coating colours, warranty and post-warranty services.

Detailed information can be found on our website: www.malchem.com.pl