Acree Technologies is highly focused on environmental protection. Acree is committed to being a “green” company, through the nature of our work and the way we pursue it.

Of all coating processes, Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is the most environmentally benign. The PVD process does not create any of the hazardous waste associated with other types of coating such as electroplating or painting. The potential for release of a toxic material to the environment from PVD is very low, especially compared to electroplating.

PVD coatings, in and of themselves enhance environmental protection. PVD coatings also contribute to longer life of products, which has positive benefits to many aspects of the environment, such as reduced landfill volume. During these longer lifespans, PVD coated products are less likely to corrode and leach toxins into the environment.

For example, hexavalent chromium, which is a known carcinogen, has been used for decades in many different industries: pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and plastics; chromates added as anticorrosive agents to paints, primers, and other surface coatings; and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts to provide a decorative or protective coating. The health effects of are potentially deadly, including elevated risk for lung cancer. This led to legislation effectively banning the use of hexavalent chromium in most industries, despite the utility of the coatings.

PVD coating has filled the gap with environmentally safe alternatives such as titanium nitride (TiN) and Chromium Nitride (CrN). PVD ceramic coatings surpass traditional electroplated coatings in that PVD coatings have superior hardness and wear resistance, do not discolor or tarnish, have reasonably high corrosion resistance and do not suffer under UV radiation. PVD coating can also be used on top of corrosion-resistant electroplating to supply the decorative, wear-resistant finish. In most cases, PVD provides superior performance characteristics without the environmental hazards.

Acree is committed to environmental stewardship. We recognize the necessity for the highest possible environmental sensitivity in all of our work.