With the formation of the Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, the push began for the reduction of hazardous air pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. These new EPA Emission Regulations focused on lead and solvent emissions which instantly brought about the need for change in coatings chemistry.
Founded in 1970, our drive for innovation led to research and the development of new, eco-friendly waterborne product lines mainly for industrial and commercial applications. We received our first patent on the TransSeal® technology in 1990. The peelable TransSeal® coating technology was presented to domestic and global OEMs in 1992 to offer protection to finished paint surfaces unlike any that were currently in use. There was no waterborne, low-VOC finished paint surface protection material, prior to peelable coating technology, that employed a characteristic which allowed for off-gassing and curing immediately after the paint system.
TransSeal® falls far below EPA emission limits. The used material is classified as a Class II Non-Hazardous Industrial Waste and is 100% recyclable into the plastics industry as a filler.
TransSeal® is the main product line of GROCO but in addition, we produce waterborne coatings for automotive parts, pipe fittings, heavy machinery, glass and construction materials under the product categories Covercrete, Quickdry, Glassmask, and LATC. Over the past several years, GROCO has become a leader in the technology of decorative concrete stains, acrylic paints, and sealers.
Solution
INNOVATION
The technology behind any coating is the “chemistry” that is used to create it. The TransSeal® coating was developed by trying many different chemical formulations and the through systematic testing to develop a unique easy-to-peel coating formula. We were combining a wide range of chemical compounds that were not typically placed together. In other words, Disruptive Innovation.
The TransSeal® patent was amended to allow GROCO to make minute changes in the formulation to design coatings for very specific applications. For example, the formulation of the coating onto metal surfaces could be adjusted so that it could be easy-to-peel from all types of metal surfaces – from polished to anodized surfaces. In effect, the new patent allows us to make adjustments to the formulation that provide for adjustments to be made to the adhesion properties or “surface tension” of the coating which in turn makes the coating technology application more universal to a wide range of surfaces.
Knowledge
AEROSPACE
Our easy-to-peel coatings are used for specific applications in the Aerospace industry, such as leading edges on wings, anodized surfaces or aluminum parts during shipping to final assembly. Dissolvable coatings from GROCO are only used to protect the exterior “clad” aluminum surfaces during the assembly process of the aircraft.
A dissolvable coating must be applied within very tight tolerance per specification, while protecting the aluminum surface from nicks, scratches, and abrasions. The finished aircraft is also test flown with the dissolvable coating still in place and removed after final inspection, prior to finish painting and polishing. Although an easy-to-peel coating would offer better surface protection, an aircraft cannot be flown with such a coating, not to mention the amount of recyclable material that would be removed. A water-based dissolvable coating is removed from the surface with our gel remover, an alkaline or amine solution and water, then directly into a water treatment facility.
A dissolvable coating must be applied within very tight tolerance per specification, while protecting the aluminum surface from nicks, scratches, and abrasions. The finished aircraft is also test flown with the dissolvable coating still in place and removed after final inspection, prior to finish painting and polishing.
Although an easy-to-peel coating would offer better surface protection, an aircraft cannot be flown with such a coating, not to mention the amount of recyclable material that would be removed. A water-based dissolvable coating is removed from the surface with our gel remover, an alkaline or amine solution and water, then directly into a water treatment facility.
INDUSTRIAL
We have waterborne and water-based primers and finish coatings for industrial pipe fittings that have been used in industrial settings for over 25 years. Our heat resistant Quicky Dry products have been in production since the early 1990s (30 years) and have covered over 30 millions radiatiors. We have won awards for quality by helping companies meet EPA Standards, setting new quality standards as a supplier.
Strength
INNOVATION
Dedicated research and development led to the creation of our Robotically Applied Surface Protection coatings. LATC™ – Liquid Applied Transit Coating material is an eco-friendly water-based product that is robotically applied, easily removed and 100% recyclable.
PROCESS
MAP™ (Material Application Process) is the only method of applying the LATC™ material that is validated by automotive OEMs. The MAP™ Cell Kit contains all the mission-critical components necessary for precise, fast, repeatable and low-cost implementation of LATC™.
INTEGRATION
We understand lean manufacturing in the coatings, manufacturing and automation industries. Our extensive experience of creating value for our customers in the automotive industry underscores the importance of strategic supplier partnerships and cost per unit productivity for OEMs.
Value
CERTIFICATIONS
Our manufacturing and quality management systems follow the Rules and Regulations as set forth in the “Third Party-Certification” to ISO 9001:2015 and maintain these standards as a guideline in record keeping and is all our manufacturing processes.
Crendentials
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In July 2020, GROCO successfully completed Third-Party certification, of our Quality Managment System through ASR, to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. This is a HUGE MILESTONE that we are very proud of. These improvements to our Quality Management System have made a positive impact on our overall business practices and Customer Satisfaction. I am very proud to be a part of the GROCO Team.
Congratulations GROCO Team!
Terry O'Leary
Quality Systems Manager
GROCO Special Coatings
PATENTS
GROCO filed for a patent on the TransSeal® Technology in January of 1989 with a patent being issued in early 1990. To increase the scope of the original patent, a much broader all-encompassing patent was applied for and received in 1996. This new patent added over 140 addendums, covering composition of matter with uses and processes for various temporary protective coating applications.
GROCO published the LATC patent in 2016 and the new generation peelable tech LATC patent was granted in the same year.
OEM AUTHORIZATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS
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Major air frame manufacturers curently are authorizing or using GROCO Specialty Coatings products in their manufacturing processes. [GROCO Aerospace Customer List]
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GROCO products approved by Boeing. [GROCO Aerospace Aerospace Approved List]
Testamonial
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We are happy with the quality of the product (film) that we purchase from GROCO ... GROCO’s customer service team is quick to respond with order acknowledgements of our PO’s and confirm delivery dates. Our orders so far have been delivered when we requested them to be. When I have had any questions or concerns both James Metcalf and Suri Carpio have been quick to respond.
Overall we are pleased with the quality, service and communication that we have received so far.
Jeff McGee
MRO Buyer-Purchasing
Aisin Mfg. Illinois, LLC