ECOLAND · Project

Chromium-Free Coating for Aircraft Landing Gear That Cuts Costs 30%

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Aircraft landing gear takes a brutal beating — constant friction, rain, salt, and temperature swings. Right now, manufacturers protect the aluminum parts using chromium-based coatings, which are toxic and increasingly banned under EU chemicals regulation. ECOLAND developed a chromium-free electrocoating process that actually outperforms the old method — lasting 25% longer while using 45% less energy to apply. Think of it like switching from lead paint to a safer alternative that also happens to be cheaper and tougher.

By the numbers

25%

Longer coating lifetime than traditional Cr(VI) systems

30%

Cost reduction in manufacturing

45%

Energy consumption reduction

55%

Shorter production time

50%

Reduction in VOC emissions

€346,921

EU contribution (Clean Sky 2)

Consortium partners across 2 countries

The business problem

What needed solving

Aircraft landing gear manufacturers are trapped using toxic hexavalent chromium coatings because no approved alternative exists for high-strength Al 7000 series alloys. EU REACH regulation is tightening restrictions on Cr(VI), threatening production shutdowns. Companies need a compliant replacement that meets strict aerospace corrosion and wear standards without sacrificing performance.

The solution

What was built

ECOLAND developed and validated a chromium-free anaphoretic electrocoating process for Al 7000 series aluminium alloys used in aerospace landing gear. The project produced coated and tested aluminium panel coupons as demonstrator deliverables, proving the coating meets corrosion protection requirements.

Audience

Who needs this

Aircraft landing gear manufacturers (Safran Landing Systems, Héroux-Devtek, Liebherr Aerospace)Aerospace MRO companies handling aluminium alloy corrosion repairIndustrial coating service providers serving aerospace and defenseAluminium alloy parts manufacturers facing REACH Cr(VI) phase-outMilitary aviation maintenance depots with ageing fleet corrosion issues

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Aerospace MRO & Landing Gear Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Aircraft landing gear manufacturers and MRO providers using chromium-based anodising

If you are a landing gear manufacturer still relying on Cr(VI)-based anodising and painting — this project developed a REACH-compliant anaphoretic electrocoating for Al 7000 series alloys that delivers 30% cost reduction and 55% shorter production time. With REACH restrictions tightening, this gives you a drop-in replacement before hexavalent chromium gets fully banned.

Aluminium Surface Treatment & Coatings

mid-size

Target: Industrial coating companies serving aerospace or defense sectors

If you are a surface treatment company looking to expand into aerospace-grade chromium-free coatings — ECOLAND validated an anaphoretic electrocoating process that cuts VOC emissions by 50% and energy consumption by 45%. This is a licensable process that lets you offer compliant coating services to aerospace OEMs under pressure to eliminate Cr(VI).

Defense & Military Aviation

enterprise

Target: Military aircraft maintenance depots handling aluminium alloy components

If you run a military aviation maintenance facility dealing with corrosion on aluminium alloy parts — this project developed a coating with 25% longer lifetime than traditional Cr(VI) systems. Longer protection intervals mean fewer maintenance cycles and less downtime for critical aircraft.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this coating process cost compared to conventional Cr(VI) treatment?

The project reports a minimum 30% cost reduction in manufacturing compared to currently available chromium-based systems. The energy consumption drops by 45% and production time by 55%, which are the main cost drivers in surface treatment operations.

Can this be applied at industrial scale on real landing gear parts?

The project produced coated and tested coupons (panels) as a demonstrator deliverable, confirming the process works on Al 7000 series samples. Scaling to full landing gear geometry was identified as an advantage — the electrocoating can handle more complex shapes than traditional anodising + painting. However, full industrial-scale production line validation would be the next step.

What is the IP situation and can I license this technology?

The project was coordinated by CIDETEC (Spain), a well-known surface engineering research center. IP generated under Clean Sky 2 is typically shared between the consortium and the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking. Licensing discussions would need to go through CIDETEC and potentially Airbus (Clean Sky topic owner).

How does this relate to REACH regulation compliance?

Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is on the REACH Candidate List and its authorization for aerospace uses has a sunset date. ECOLAND specifically developed a REACH-compliant, chromium-free alternative. Companies still using Cr(VI) processes face regulatory risk and potential production shutdowns.

How long does the coating last compared to current solutions?

The project targeted a coating lifetime 25% longer than traditional Cr(VI)-based anodising plus painting systems. This was validated on test coupons. Longer lifetime means extended intervals between recoating during aircraft maintenance.

Can this process be integrated into existing coating production lines?

Anaphoretic electrocoating uses standard electrodeposition equipment, which many coating facilities already operate. The process replaces the anodising + painting sequence with a single-step electrocoating, which actually simplifies the production line. Based on available project data, integration would require process parameter tuning for specific part geometries.

Consortium

Who built it

The ECOLAND consortium is small and focused: 3 partners across Spain and the UK, with 2 research organizations and 1 industry partner. The coordinator CIDETEC is a well-established Spanish research foundation specializing in surface engineering — they are the technology developer here. The 33% industry ratio and the Clean Sky 2 funding program (which requires industry topic managers, typically Airbus or Safran for landing gear) indicate direct aerospace OEM interest even though those OEMs are not listed as consortium members. No SMEs participated. With €346,921 in EU funding, this was a targeted applied research effort, not a large-scale demonstrator.

FUNDACION CIDETECCoordinator · ES
FUNDACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO DE MIRANDA DE EBROparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

CIDETEC Foundation, Spain — surface engineering division. Search for ECOLAND project lead at CIDETEC.

Order a report on this consortium See FUNDACION CIDETEC profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the ECOLAND team at CIDETEC to discuss licensing or collaboration? SciTransfer can arrange a direct connection.

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