Steve Norman, Group Commercial & Divisional Director at the Anochrome Group, explains why decarbonisation is an issue of growing importance.
As the page turns on a new year, one thing is clearer in industrial manufacturing than it has ever been: decarbonisation is no longer an issue for the future. It’s hugely important in the here and now – and customers are demanding clear strategies today.
In my role at Anochrome Group, decarbonisation used to be something we talked about in theory. That has all changed in recent years, however – and today it is a central theme to all customer discussions, investment decisions and day-to-day operational choices.
We operate in surface coating and metal finishing, which are process intensive industries. We’ve seen first hand how decarbonisation is shaping our sector. It directly affects how we operate, how customers assess suppliers – and how competitive advantage is created.
Our industry sits at the intersection of energy use, regulated chemicals and waste management. Traditionally, metal finishing has consumed enormous amounts of energy, utilised dangerous chemicals and produced significant waste. None of these can be eliminated but they can be minimised.
That means decarbonisation policy and environmental regulation translate straight into operational reality. Permits, energy use and emissions are now central to how investment decisions and process choices are made.
At Anochrome, we have embarked on a significant investment programme, largely to support our decarbonisation efforts. One prime example of this was last year’s seven-figure investment on state-of-the-art new plant at Anochrome Ltd, which has not only boosted capacity by at least 50% but also produced significant energy savings, while improving work conditions for employees.
One of the biggest misconceptions in manufacturing is that decarbonisation can be treated as a compliance exercise. Meet the standard, pass the audit and move on. That may reduce immediate pressure, but it creates growing exposure over time.
Of course, we still take standards and audits seriously – and we hold the coveted ISO 14001 for environmental management systems – but there is far more going on behind the scenes.
I have been around business and manufacturing for 30 years, so I know how customer expectations have changed. OEMs and Tier One manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions across their supply chains. That pressure is flowing directly to specialist suppliers.
In practice, customers now see sustainability performance as a sign of how well a supplier runs its operations and manages risk. It sits alongside quality, delivery and technical capability, not apart from them.
This is why decarbonisation needs to be treated as an operational capability, not a separate sustainability activity.
At Anochrome, leadership in this area is about execution rather than statements. What matters is the ability to reduce emissions while maintaining safety, quality and productivity.
For process intensive industries, that starts with the basics – energy efficiency, process optimisation and selective use of cleaner technologies, where they genuinely add value. These are not abstract environmental initiatives. They are practical improvements that strengthen operational resilience and customer confidence.
Innovation plays an important role. Exploring alternatives to chemically intensive surface preparation, for example, shows how environmental impact can be reduced while maintaining process control. These solutions are not universal and are chosen because they work in practice.
Decarbonisation is also a people challenge. New processes require new skills, clear communication and workforce engagement. Change only works when teams understand why it matters and how it supports the future of the business.
The reality is that decarbonisation is no longer optional or distant. It is already reshaping how industrial supply chains operate. Organisations that respond decisively gain flexibility, control the pace of investment and build capability as expectations continue to rise.
Those that delay risk being forced to react under tighter timelines and greater cost pressure.
At Anochrome Group, we believe decarbonisation is not a constraint on competitiveness. When approached with discipline and realism, it is a route to stronger operations, deeper customer trust and a more resilient future for industrial manufacturing.
If you’re looking for a coatings partner that takes decarbonisation seriously – and can demonstrate the steps it is taking today as well as in the future – get in touch with the Anochrome team.