Finnish Polttoväri Responds to Growing Nordic Demand for Zinc Flake Coating

Polttoväri, based in Mustasaari, is one of the few companies in the Nordic countries that has been offering Delta zink flake coatings as a subcontractor for over 20 years. Recently, demand has increased, especially in the west, where Polttoväri is now strengthening its presence.

Products coated with zinc flakes by Polttoväri, such as screws, fasteners, and enclosures, are being produced more frequently, as demand has noticeably risen, particularly within the defense industry. This is not surprising, as the superior properties of the Delta MKS® coating cannot be overstated: it offers the highest possible corrosion protection for strong materials and is seven times thinner than hot-dip galvanizing. Thanks to its corrosion protection and low friction coefficient, replacing screws and bolts in machinery is effortless, improving maintenance reliability.

"The Delta coating is suitable for most metallic materials, regardless of their size or shape. It also boasts excellent heat and weather resistance; for instance, the base coat Delta Protekt KL100 can withstand temperatures close to 200 degrees," adds Juha Autio, Production Manager at Polttoväri.

Many of Polttoväri’s customers, operating in sectors such as renewable energy, land and sea transportation, as well as construction and technology, benefit from the versatile properties of zinc flake coatings. The appropriate coating method is selected from three available options based on the product's size and intended use. Naturally, the cost of coating is also of interest to the customer, adds Polttoväri’s CEO, Hannu Kotimäki, who dispels a common misconception:

"For example, the spraying method is popular and can be more cost-effective than generally assumed, as the product does not need to be separately protected during the coating process."

Easy Transportation of Delta-Coated Products to the West via Ferry Connections

According to Kotimäki, the potential of zinc flake coatings is better known in the Nordic countries than average, but their availability is not. Many companies order their zinc flake coatings from Central Europe, even though they could obtain them from just across the bay. In Finland, many products coated by Polttoväri travel smoothly over a 400–500-kilometer distance by road. Products can also be easily transported to neighboring countries, to which Polttoväri can deliver both small and large batches quickly:

"We see the Nordic countries as a highly potential, growing home market for us, where we have a lot to offer. Compared to Central European players, we are smaller but more flexible in many aspects. Additionally, we are geographically very close, with excellent ferry connections. We already have customers in Sweden and the Baltic countries, and through intermediaries, our end customers are even more international," Kotimäki points out.

Innovative Use of QR Codes and Salt Spray Chambers – Quality Work is About Practical Actions

Kotimäki and Autio confirm that Polttoväri’s consistent high-quality work is backed by experienced staff and a commitment to continuous improvement. A year-round salt spray chamber at the factory, where the durability of different coating options is tested, is an example of this. In these tests, zinc flake coating often proves to be the best option, even for highly wear-prone applications.

Recently, German company Dörken, which manufactures Delta coatings, conducted an audit at Polttoväri, allowing Polttoväri to continue its uninterrupted over 20-year run as the sole provider of this zinc flake coating in Finland. Part of Polttoväri’s quality work includes the support, training, and insights offered by Dörken. The learning process is also reciprocal, as Kotimäki elaborates, referring to Dörken's recent visit:

"They were impressed by how we utilize QR codes in a variety of ways, such as for completing tests and on chemical containers, providing direct access to safety instructions for employees. They planned to share this knowledge further with others."

Next, Polttoväri will head to Germany, which is also part of the company’s ongoing development work:

"In November, we will attend supplier days in Germany to learn about the latest innovations and coating solutions related to Delta coatings. Staying up-to-date with the latest industry developments is essential for us," conclude Autio and Kotimäki.

Read more about zinc flake coatings on Polttoväri’s website:
Polttoväri aims for international markets with zinc flake coating