Origin, a UK-based manufacturer of aluminum doors and windows, has been awarded the Qualicoat accreditation for its in-house powder coating facility.
Qualicoat accreditation
The Qualicoat accreditation is a quality standard for powder coating aluminum. Designed to ensure that the powder coatings used in the construction industry meet the highest standards of quality, durability, and environmental sustainability, a set of rigorous steps must be passed to become certified.
To achieve Qualicoat approval, Origin had to meet strict criteria for its pre-treatment and powder coating processes, including performance, durability, and resistance to weathering. The accreditation process also includes regular surprise on-site inspections to ensure that the facility continues to meet the required standards.
About Origin's powder coating
Origin’s approach begins with a four-stage mechanical cleaning process. Starting with the company’s linishing machine, air, water and adjustable brushes are used to eliminate even the slightest imperfections from the aluminum profile. This process increases the quality of the material and ensures a pristine surface, ready for the 10-stage, chrome-free, pre-treatment process, which exceeds the industry standard of five to seven stages. For the powder coating, Origin uses Class 1, 2 and 3 powders to ensure a finish that is corrosion-resistant and durable.
Origin’s in-house laboratory continuously conducts tests to ensure the powder coating’s integrity. The testing includes adhesion, color, resistance to cracking and film thickness.
What Origin leadership says
“Achieving Qualicoat accreditation is a significant milestone for Origin, and one we are incredibly proud of. To achieve it, our in-house powder coating facility was subject to rigorous independent audits and over 1,000 hours of corrosion resistance testing," says David Bunker, operational risk and supply chain director at Origin. “It was no mean feat, but the commitment validates our relentless pursuit of excellence and reinforces our position as a leader in the industry. This achievement underscores our dedication to delivering exceptional products that not only look great but also provide unparalleled quality.”
