Waalbrug Bridge, Nijmegen: Hexavalent Chromium Coating Removal
Specialist Painting Group partnered with Dutch contractor Feijenoord to remove a hazardous coating system containing hexavalent chromium from the Waalbrug Bridge in Nijmegen, Netherlands. The work used RPR heat induction, an innovative method that removes industrial coatings with far less airborne contamination than conventional techniques.
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Why Hexavalent Chromium Coatings Need Special Care
Hexavalent chromium compounds were once widely used in anti-corrosive primers because of their effectiveness at protecting steel. They are now recognised as a serious health hazard, and exposure is tightly controlled. When a coating containing hexavalent chromium reaches the end of its life, removing it safely becomes a significant technical challenge.
Conventional abrasive blasting breaks coatings into fine particles, which can carry hazardous substances into the air and across a site. On a major bridge, controlling that dust is difficult and expensive, and the risk to workers and the public has to be managed at every stage.
Removing Hexavalent Chromium from the Waalbrug Bridge
The project involved a controlled environment trial in which the team used RPR heat induction to strip the existing coating safely and effectively.
RPR heat induction uses an induction field to heat the steel just behind the coating, breaking the bond between the paint and the substrate. The coating then lifts away in sheets rather than being broken down into dust, which greatly reduces airborne contamination, noise and waste compared with abrasive blasting. Learn more about our RPR heat induction coating removal service.
For hazardous coatings such as those found on the Waalbrug Bridge, this difference is significant. Keeping the coating largely intact as it is removed makes it easier to contain, collect and dispose of in a controlled way.
How Exposure Was Monitored
To assess the environmental impact and protect everyone involved, airborne pollution levels were meticulously monitored by a third party laboratory throughout the trial. This independent monitoring confirmed that exposure to hazardous substances stayed within safe limits during the coating removal process.
Independent monitoring gives asset owners and contractors confidence that a method performs as expected in real conditions. Health and safety bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive set out clear expectations for controlling exposure to hazardous substances, and evidence gathered on site is central to meeting them.
Working with Feijenoord
SPG’s collaboration with Feijenoord shows the value of combining local contracting expertise with specialist coating removal technology. Together, the teams demonstrated a method that protects operational safety and environmental responsibility on critical infrastructure.
The Waalbrug Bridge trial is one of a number of international projects SPG has delivered, reflecting our growth from a Peterborough based operation into a contractor working across the UK and Europe.
Planning a Coating Project
Every successful coating project starts with understanding the condition of the existing coating and the steel beneath it. A survey identifies where the coating has failed, how far corrosion has progressed and whether the old system can be overcoated or needs to be removed completely. That information shapes the choice of surface preparation method and the new coating specification.
SPG supports asset owners through each of these stages, from coating inspection and specification advice through to preparation and application. Projects such as the Waalbrug Bridge show how the right plan, agreed at the outset, keeps work safe, efficient and on programme.
Why Choose SPG
Specialist Painting Group has delivered industrial coating projects since 1997. Our operatives are ICATS certified, and we hold RISQS, SafeContractor, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 accreditations, giving clients the competence, safety management and quality systems they expect from a specialist contractor.
Explore our corrosion protection services and the sectors we work in, or contact us to discuss hazardous coating removal on your structure.
