Liebherr-Aerospace Deploys REACH-Compliant Coating Process in Singapore

Liebherr-Aerospace has industrialised a REACH-compliant surface protection coating process for aircraft heat transfer equipment at its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) service centre in Singapore. The implementation follows qualification and validation at the company’s OEM site in Toulouse, France, and marks a transition from legacy chromium-based treatments to environmentally compliant alternatives in customer service operations.

The newly deployed process combines a Trivalent Chromium System (TCS) with a Post Application Conversion Sealer (PACS). TCS improves corrosion resistance and paint adhesion, while PACS seals and reinforces the protective layer to ensure long-term durability. Together, the systems deliver performance comparable to traditional coatings while complying with the European Union’s REACH regulation, which restricts the use of hazardous chemical substances.

Industrialisation of the TCS/PACS process allows Liebherr-Aerospace to service heat transfer equipment components across multiple aircraft programmes without regulatory constraints related to restricted substances. This reduces the risk of operational delays, avoids future retrofit or recertification requirements, and ensures compatibility with both current EU regulations and anticipated global standards.

The Singapore deployment was carried out in collaboration with Applied Total Control (ATC), Liebherr-Aerospace’s long-term partner for coating technologies. According to the company, the move supports a broader strategy to align customer service activities with sustainability targets while maintaining technical performance and reliability.

Further rollout of REACH-compliant coating processes is planned at additional Liebherr-Aerospace service centres, including the Shanghai facility in China, which is scheduled to introduce the process in the first quarter of 2026. Licensed third-party repair sites are also expected to adopt the same standards, supporting cross-regional certification consistency and long-term fleet compliance.

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