Opting for eco-friendly materials is one of the most effective measures that the manufacturing industry can take to protect the environment. In order to meet the new guidelines of various industries, the customers’ requirements and its own expectations, Roth uses ECOBRASS, a lead- and nickel-free brass alternative.
Growing environmental awareness in society, along with new findings on the environmental impact of various substances, are leading us to increasingly reconsider the use of some common materials. And in our opinion: that is a good thing. As a responsible manufacturer of precision parts, we consider it our duty to use innovative and eco-friendly materials instead of conventional ones that harm the environment.
Environmentally-friendly alternatives
The EU RoHS Directive, which restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, currently allows a maximum lead content of 3 percent in brass products under a temporary exemption. The maximum lead content will be reduced to 0.1 percent from 21 July 2024. As a result of this directive, various other industries are now calling for leaded brass to be phased out completely. While lead possesses excellent properties as an alloying element, it is not safe from a health or environmental perspective. Due to the increasing regulatory pressure, several lead-free alternatives are now available.
Suitable material characteristics
However, good environmental compatibility alone does not make a material suitable for use in the production of our complex high-precision components. The properties of materials used to make our parts must meet various requirements. In the domain of lead-free brass, we have found a material that fulfils the highest standards in terms of ecological impact and quality: ECOBRASS. Instead of lead, ECOBRASS uses a combination of copper, zinc and silicon. Our experience with ECOBRASS has shown that while it may be more expensive to procure and more complex to machine, this environmentally friendly material is on a par with conventional brass in terms of quality: ECOBRASS is strong and it offers even better corrosion resistance than traditional brass.
Circular economy
In addition to the environmental compatibility of a material and its energy-efficient processing, there is another aspect to consider when it comes to environmental protection: waste management. Embracing the principles of the circular economy, we collect and segregate the ECOBRASS shavings, as well as the shavings from other materials. We take great care to prevent any mixing, ensuring that the lead-free brass remains uncontaminated and meets the requirements for recycling. This facilitates the resource-efficient and energy-saving production of high-quality recycled material.
We are always happy to discuss the use of environmentally friendly materials with our customers. Together, we can drive the economy towards a sustainable future.