Caterpillar Suppliers Help Develop Lead-free Components
Suppliers helped investigate options for eliminating lead from sleeve-bearing coatings
In 2013, Caterpillar collaborated with several suppliers to investigate options for eliminating lead from sleeve-bearing coatings and reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from our production process. These sleeve bearings, used for Cat® large wheel loaders, have a coating that traditionally contains lead. By working with suppliers, Caterpillar engineers have identified alternate coatings that are lead-free, improve on our high-performance quality requirements and result in a reduction in solvent use in the application process — thereby reducing the VOC emissions during production.
Our suppliers in the United States and Europe have already transitioned to the new coating, and we are currently working with suppliers in the Asia-Pacific region to do the same. By changing to a lead-free requirement of sleeve-bearing coatings for our suppliers, we are able to drive procurement globally and meet the most stringent EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives ahead of schedule.
Click here to read more about supplier sustainability in the Caterpillar 2013 Sustainability Report.
