The European Union plans to ban the use of chromium plating materials from 2024, and the automobile industry will face great changes.

CTOnews.com July 23, the European Union (EU) recently put forward a plan to ban the use of chromium plating materials, which is expected to be formally implemented in 2024.

The main reason for launching the plan is that chromium plating materials release toxic chemicals during the manufacturing process, causing harm to human health. Hexavalent chromium in chromium-plated materials is a known carcinogen that usually causes lung cancer and is 500 times more toxic than diesel emissions. At present, there is no safe way to produce chromium plating materials, and all known processes produce toxic exhaust gases.

According to CTOnews.com, chromium plating materials are widely used in the automobile industry, especially in high-end models, which are often used to distinguish different configuration levels. In addition, modification and refurbishment companies will also use chromium plating materials to improve the appearance of cars. If the EU ban takes effect, it will have a huge impact on these companies, and they will have to look for alternatives.

In addition to the automobile industry, chromium plating materials are also used in daily life (such as faucets and lamps), as well as aviation and navigation. It is a practical material, and the EU ban will force industries to find new solutions.

Earlier this year, California proposed a similar ban, which was passed in May. The state stipulates that any company that produces chromium-plated materials must find alternatives, such as trivalent chromium, which is less toxic, or face fines. The state has more than 110 chromium plating facilities, and if no replacement is found, it will suffer serious economic losses.

In Europe, the ban would have an equally big impact. Renault design director Jill Vidal doesn't think this is a bad thing, at least when it comes to car design. "some pollution-free solutions are being developed, but I hope we can get rid of chromium plating," he said. it's time for us to change the rules of the game and open up our minds, and there are more sustainable alternatives. " Other automakers agree, and design trends tend to use dark exterior decorations, and perhaps the era of chromium plating is over.