MARKET CLOSE UP
SPECIAL ISSUE ON ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
Aluminium and Steel Coatings Towards Certification of “Sustainability”
© GSB International
Interview with Werner Mader, Managing Director of GSB International e.V., Düsseldorf - Germany
Werner Mader.
G
there was no established quality standard for
are carried out for preliminary approval and
coated aluminium used in architecture. The
are then followed by outdoor weathering tests
quality assurance for steel and galvanized
for the final approval. Outdoor weathering
steel was added in the following years.
for alternative pre-treatment chemicals takes
We have a board of management and two
place in Hoek van Holland. The outdoor
quality committees, one for steel and one
weathering for coating materials takes place in
for aluminium. The quality committees
Florida. The quality of the certified chemicals
are constantly working on our quality
is continuously monitored. For this purpose,
regulations and are also active in research.
samples are taken for laboratory testing at
For example, we are significantly involved in
GSB-certified coating companies. The quality
the advancement of chrome- and chrome-
of the certified coating materials is also
VI-free pre-treatment chemicals. The special
continuously monitored by laboratory tests. In
thing is that the GSB is democratic. If the
the case of the coating materials, samples are
quality committees propose amendments
even continuously sent to Florida for outdoor
to the quality regulations, then the member
weathering. Coating companies wishing to be
companies vote on the changes.
certified by GSB are first audited announced.
SB is one of the historical European
The GSB is centrally organized and all
The auditor then writes a specification
Associations for certifying aluminium
inquiries of the approx. 180 member
sheet and shows the deviations from our
and steel coatings. In this interview, its
companies are processed directly by the
quality regulations. This is followed by an
Managing Director, Mr. Werner Mader, reveals
headquarters in Düsseldorf. Our members
unannounced inspection. If this is passed,
the background of its activity and explains how
are manufacturers of pre-treatment
the company receives one of our prestigious
eco-compatibility requirements are and will
chemicals and coating materials as well
quality seals. In order to keep the seal, the
become increasingly essential to obtain the
as coating companies. In addition, we also
coating companies are inspected twice a
quality certifications.
have supporting members such as coating
year without prior notice. The auditor checks
equipment manufacturers. GSB-members are
whether everything is carried out according
GSB is one of the historical European
spread all over Europe. Some are also active
to our quality regulations. For instance, a
associations for the quality certification
far beyond the borders of Europe.
mandatory factory production control must be carried out by the coaters. Samples are also
of coatings on aluminium, steel and galvanized steel. What is the mission
What is the procedure that a company
taken for corrosion tests during the audits.
of your association? Can you briefly
must follow to obtain the certification?
Finally, I would like to mention that our audits
describe its history and structure?
That depends on the type of company. A
and tests are carried out by independent
We offer assured quality for coated surfaces
coating is only GSB-compliant if GSB-compliant
certified testing institutes.
made of aluminium and steel by defining
pre-treatment processes and GSB-certified
standards that go beyond the norms of the
coating materials are used by a GSB-certified
GSB focuses its certification activities
industry in order to ensure that architects,
coating company.
in the architecture and construction
building owners and industrial partners
If a manufacturer of pre-treatment chemicals
sectors, always characterized by a great
maintain the value and lasting attractiveness
or coating materials wishes to approve a
ferment. How have they changed after
of their façades, buildings and products.
chemical or coating material, this is done in
the global health crisis?
The GSB was founded in 1977. At that time,
a step-by-step process. First, laboratory tests
The construction sector was less severely
36
N. 71 - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 - international PAINT&COATING magazine
