At Metalcolor, we are continuously improving our tools to meet our customers’ needs. After several years of preparation and work, the modernization of our L1 coating line is complete.
The goal: to meet the growing demand for multilayer, durable, and diverse products while ensuring our flexibility.
Thanks to the addition of a new coating section and a state-of-the-art curing oven, we can now apply multiple lacquer layers in a single session.
More possibilities, more control
The new section includes four coaters and a high-energy-efficiency oven. It enables us to produce innovative multilayer systems with higher quality — even for complex shades or technical finishes.
Intelligent systems for monitoring production parameters ensure reliability and reproducibility while optimizing our energy consumption. The new oven maximizes energy recovery and reuses hot process air, further reducing our natural gas consumption and CO₂ emissions.
A technical project, a human challenge
To avoid extended production downtime, a major part of the work was carried out during scheduled stoppages, with special precautions taken to protect sensitive equipment against dust and vibrations.
Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 context, our team adapted and successfully completed this project.
A step towards the future
With this modernization, Metalcolor offers more technical solutions tailored to today’s and tomorrow’s expectations.
This project reflects our strategy: combining innovation, quality, and environmental responsibility to produce more efficiently and sustainably.
Helder Cerqueira
Head of Production
Since its founding in 1981, Metalcolor has been adapting its expertise to meet the technical and aesthetic needs of the coil coating market. Today, we take another step forward with the release of our first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), validated by the independent MRPI platform in the Netherlands, in accordance with EN 15804+A2 and ISO 14025 standards.
This declaration is based on a complete Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of our pre-coated aluminium strips, from raw material extraction to the factory gate. It provides our customers and partners with clear, comparable data on the environmental footprint of our products.
A concrete environmental commitment
Since 2008, Metalcolor has been committed—through an agreement with the Swiss authorities—to improving its energy efficiency and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment resulted into numerous concrete actions:
- Exclusive use of renewable electricity produced in Switzerland,
- Installation of 5,700 m² of photovoltaic panels on the roof of our Forel/Lavaux plant, in partnership with Holdigaz SA and Energiapro SA,
- Commissioning of a regenerative thermal oxidizer, reducing natural gas consumption by 33% through heat recovery,
- Use of nearly 80% recycled aluminium in our production,
- Optimized recovery of excess paint thanks to a dedicated software,
- Launch of a decarbonization roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels from our processes.
These efforts are part of a structured approach, supported by our double certification: ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 50001 (energy management).
A commitment we share
Increasingly, construction projects, eco-design initiatives, and public tenders require reliable environmental data. The EPD addresses this need by providing standardized and transparent information.
Metalcolor’s EPD is available upon request. Contact us anytime if you would like to know more.
Morgane Bourdon
ISO & IMS Coordinator