ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products

eUpdate client magazine| June 2026


5 / 6

Chromium VI, or no Chromium VI, that is the question

Are you ready to transition to CFPA and LTS?

Scroll down to read the article

Hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) regulation is currently in a state of flux in Europe, creating uncertainty for the industry. But change is coming, and customers such as leading closures manufacturer, Pelliconi, are getting ready for it.

Pelliconi, founded in Bologna, Italy, in 1939, is a global leader in the production of metal and plastic closures for the food and beverage industry, with nine production plants across the world, plus international sales branches. The company produces over 32 billion caps annually.

Antonino Lo Piccolo, Corporate Quality Director, Pelliconi

“CFPA (chrome-free passivation alternative) has already been fully implemented across all steel-based products in our beverage portfolio,” says Antonino Lo Piccolo, Corporate Quality Director, Pelliconi. “And for the food segment, the transition is currently going through the technical evaluation stage.”

Chromium electroplating has been used industrially for around a hundred years. Initially applied for decorative and wear resistant purposes, its use has since expanded to a wide range of industries and applications over time. Dedicated chromium based surface treatments were later developed specifically for packaging needs, including the chromium based passivation of tinplate and, more recently, electrolytic chromium-coated steel.

Chromium VI regulation: where things stand and what it means for the market

EU Commission’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium

The regulatory framework governing the use of chromium VI in Europe is currently in a transition phase. The European Commission has prolonged existing REACH authorisations, including those covering tinplate passivation and electrolytic chromium-coated steel (ECCS), until mid 2030.

Key parameters of the new legislation are not yet fixed. A decision from the European Commission is expected in the second half of 2027 or in 2028, with the restriction anticipated to replace the current authorisation regime before its expiry in mid 2030.



ArcelorMittal’s approach: supporting customers through regulatory transition

In this evolving regulatory context, our intent is to support the packaging market through the transition with a broad and flexible product offering.



ArcelorMittal’s plant in Florange, France

ArcelorMittal’s plant in Florange, France

Our CFPA offering is a sustainable, tinplate passivation system for packaging steel that eliminates chromium VI. Using a coating based on a protective Ti/Zr oxide film embedded in a polymer matrix as defined in EN10202, it provides a safe, eco-friendly alternative for food and industrial packaging, with production capacity already prepared to meet customer demand.



Commenting on Pelliconi’s transition process to CFPA, Antonino Lo Piccolo adds: “The qualification is based on a structured internal validation process, designed to balance technical robustness with industrial scalability.”

ArcelorMittal's LTS is a low tin coated steel with CFPA passivation, with characteristics specifically designed to address the markets currently served by ECCS. It is the only 100% chromium-free alternative to ECCS currently available for the packaging market.

Eric Brasseur, REACH and Chemical Policy Manager, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products

“We see CFPA and LTS as the future standards in packaging steel,” says Eric Brasseur, REACH and Chemical Policy Manager for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, “and we want to be well ahead of the regulatory deadlines to support our customers in making the transition.”

ArcelorMittal’s plant in Avilés, Spain

Future CFPA line conversions will be driven by regulatory clarity and customer demand, ensuring that investments remain aligned with actual market requirements. This strategy reflects ArcelorMittal’s commitment to accompany the packaging value chain through regulatory change, while safeguarding supply reliability and technical performance.

















Show me all articles