Sustainability in Surface Coatings

The industrial world is changing, and so are we.

At Specialist Metallic Coatings, we’ve built our name on performance, precision, and protection. 

But today, there’s something just as vital to protect: the planet.

Sustainability in metal finishing is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It is a business essential. And we are committed to doing more,  not only because our clients expect it, but because we believe it’s the right thing to do.

This is the story of where we’re heading next, and how we’re aligning our operations, our investments, and our partnerships with a cleaner, greener industrial future.

Towards ISO 14001: Embedding Environmental Responsibility

Standards matter in coatings. They’re how we measure safety, quality, and reliability.

So it should be no surprise that we’re applying the same approach to environmental impact.

We’re actively working towards achieving ISO 14001, the internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems. This is not a tick-box exercise ,  it’s about integrating sustainability into how we think, plan, and operate every day.

From energy use and waste management to raw material handling and process optimisation, we’re reviewing every layer of our operation to ensure we’re reducing our footprint while maintaining the performance our clients count on.

Cleaner Machinery. Smarter Processes.

Sustainability isn’t just about emissions,  it’s also about efficiency.

Over the past 18 months, we’ve begun investing in modern, lower-impact machinery that supports better energy management and tighter process control. These upgrades not only reduce environmental impact, but also improve consistency, throughput, and traceability.

Examples include:

• Advanced filtration and water treatment systems to minimise waste and improve discharge quality.
  
• High-efficiency ovens and process lines to reduce energy consumption.
  
• Automation upgrades that improve material usage and reduce human error.

It’s all part of a bigger picture: aligning technical innovation with environmental improvement.

Supporting the Renewable Energy Sector

As the renewable energy industry grows, so does its demand for high-performance, corrosion-resistant coatings. And we’re proud to play a part in this important sector.

We’re currently working with a growing number of renewable energy clients,  from wind and solar component manufacturers to infrastructure providers,  helping them protect their equipment in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

Our technical teams are collaborating with engineers and specifiers to:

• Ensure coating systems meet long-life and low-maintenance requirements.
  
• Select environmentally responsible materials and pre-treatments.
  
• Deliver finishes that perform without compromising on compliance or sustainability goals.

This work not only helps future-proof clean energy infrastructure,  it also challenges us to raise the bar on our own environmental impact as a coatings provider.

Built for Industry. Responsible by Design.

At SMC, we believe sustainability in surface finishing can’t be solved with slogans or one-off projects. It requires long-term thinking, clear goals, and practical, measurable action.

We’re not claiming to have all the answers. But we’re taking real steps, every day, to be part of the solution.

Our aim is simple: to help build an industrial future where performance and responsibility go hand in hand,  and where coatings don’t just protect parts, but contribute to a cleaner world.

Discover More

If you are a client, partner, or industry peer looking to align your supply chain with greener, more forward-thinking manufacturers,  we’d love to hear from you.

Discover how we’re building a more responsible future in metal finishing.