Frequently Asked Questions

PTS Group specialises in the development and supply of advanced chemical solutions for metal surface preparation and pre-treatment processes.

We support a wide range of industries with high performance, eco friendly and chrome-free technologies designed to improve cleaning, adhesion, corrosion resistance, and overall coating performance across aluminium, steel, galvanised steel, and mixed metal applications.

Alongside our Phos-Prep® product range, we also provide technical support, process guidance, and testing services to help customers optimise performance and maintain consistent production quality.

PTS Group primarily supplies specialist chemical solutions for metal surface treatment and pre-treatment processes, including cleaning, etching, phosphating, conversion coatings, paint stripping, and system maintenance products.

We also work closely with specialist equipment and plant manufacturers and can put customers in touch with trusted partners to help design and specify the correct plant and process setup for the required chemical system. This ensures full compatibility between chemistry, equipment, and production requirements for optimal performance and efficiency.

Yes. We provide full technical support across our product range to ensure correct application, process stability, and consistent performance.

Our team can assist with process selection, operating parameters, troubleshooting, and optimisation of existing systems. We also support customers with on site or remote guidance where required, helping to resolve issues and improve coating quality, adhesion, and corrosion resistance.

Yes. We work closely with customers to identify the most suitable treatment system based on substrate type, production method, coating requirements, and performance expectations.

Whether you are processing aluminium, steel, galvanised steel, or mixed metals, we can recommend the most appropriate Phos-Prep® chemistry and process route to achieve consistent results. Where required, we can also advise on existing plant capabilities and process optimisation.

If modifications or upgrades to equipment are necessary, we work with trusted specialist partners in these fields to help design and implement the correct system to ensure full compatibility between chemistry, plant, and production requirements.

The correct Phos-Prep® system depends on the type of substrate you are processing, your production method, and the performance requirements of the finished product.

Our chemistries are designed specifically for aluminium, steel, galvanised steel, or mixed metal applications, with each solution providing the optimum balance of cleaning, surface preparation, corrosion protection, and paint adhesion for that material.

Our technical team will assess your enquiry and recommend the most suitable Phos-Prep® process based on factors such as:

– The substrate or combination of metals being treated
– Spray or immersion processing
– Powder coating or wet paint application
– Required corrosion resistance and performance standards
– Existing plant and process capabilities

If you are treating multiple metals on the same production line, we can also recommend multi-metal treatment systems designed to deliver consistent performance across a range of substrates while simplifying your process.

Yes. All Phos-Prep® products are completely chrome-free.

Our product range has been developed to provide high performance metal surface preparation and pre-treatment without the use of chromium compounds, helping customers meet modern environmental, health, and regulatory requirements while maintaining excellent cleaning, adhesion, and corrosion resistance across a wide range of metal substrates.

Phosphating is a type of conversion coating, but not all conversion coatings are phosphates.

A phosphate coating forms a crystalline layer on the metal surface, typically on steel or galvanised steel, to improve paint adhesion and provide corrosion resistance. It has been widely used for many years in industrial finishing applications.

A conversion coating is a broader term for any chemical treatment that reacts with the metal surface to create a protective layer. Modern conversion coatings are often chrome-free and are commonly used on aluminium, steel, galvanised steel, and mixed metal substrates. They provide excellent paint adhesion and corrosion protection while supporting more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.

PTS Group supplies both phosphate and advanced chrome-free conversion coating technologies, allowing us to recommend the most suitable solution based on your substrate, process, and performance requirements.

Yes. Our Phos-Prep® products are suitable for both spray and immersion treatment systems.

We can recommend the most appropriate chemistry and operating parameters based on your process, production volumes, substrate, and performance requirements. Whether you operate a new or existing treatment line, our technical team can help ensure the system delivers consistent cleaning, surface preparation, paint adhesion, and corrosion resistance.

Yes. We offer a range of low temperature Phos-Prep® process options designed to reduce energy consumption while maintaining excellent cleaning performance, paint adhesion, and corrosion resistance.

Low temperature processes can help improve operational efficiency, lower running costs, and support sustainability objectives without compromising coating quality. Our technical team can recommend the most suitable low temperature solution based on your substrate, production process, and performance requirements.

Our phosphating and conversion coatings improve paint adhesion by chemically preparing the metal surface before painting or powder coating. They create a uniform treatment layer that promotes strong bonding between the metal and the coating while providing a clean, stable surface for application.

In addition to improving adhesion, our solutions enhance corrosion resistance, increase coating durability, and help reduce the risk of defects such as peeling, blistering, and premature coating failure. Selecting the correct treatment process for the substrate and application helps ensure consistent, long lasting coating performance.

The coating weight achieved depends on the phosphate system being used, the substrate being treated, and the application requirements.

Our phosphate products are available in a range of formulations capable of producing different coating weights to suit a variety of industrial finishing processes. Whether a lightweight coating is required for paint preparation or a heavier coating for enhanced corrosion resistance, we can recommend the most appropriate phosphate chemistry to meet your specification.

Our technical team can advise on the correct product, process parameters, and operating conditions to consistently achieve the required coating weight and performance.

Yes. Our products are manufactured in an ISO certified facility and are developed to meet relevant industry and environmental compliance requirements.

Our Phos-Prep® range is formulated in line with key regulatory frameworks, including RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directives where applicable. This ensures our products support safer, more sustainable metal finishing processes while maintaining high performance standards.

We are also committed to quality management and consistent manufacturing practices ensuring reliable product quality, traceability, and process control.

Yes. All Phos-Prep® products are completely chrome-free.

Our range is developed using modern, environmentally responsible chemistries that eliminate the use of chromium compounds while still delivering high performance cleaning, surface preparation, paint adhesion, and corrosion resistance across a wide range of metal substrates.

This allows customers to meet current environmental and health regulations without compromising on coating quality or process reliability.

Yes. We support customers with environmental compliance across the full metal treatment process, including guidance on effluent control, pH neutralisation, and wastewater management.

We recommend all clients implement appropriate effluent treatment systems and regularly monitor wastewater through sampling and analysis to ensure processes remain within local regulatory limits.

We also advise customers to obtain the necessary consent to discharge from their local water authority prior to disposing of any chemical waste, helping ensure full compliance with environmental regulations and responsible site operation.

Yes. We can provide guidance to support customers with waste treatment processes, including effluent control, pH neutralisation, and general wastewater management from metal pre-treatment systems.

Where appropriate, we can also advise on opportunities for wastewater recycling and reuse, helping to reduce overall water consumption and improve process sustainability.

We recommend regular wastewater sampling and analysis to maintain consistent process control and compliance with local requirements. However, specific discharge limits are set by your local water authority or environmental regulator, and we strongly advise obtaining a consent to discharge and operating within the permitted limits for your site.

Yes. We offer access to external laboratory testing services for a range of key performance and compliance requirements, including salt spray testing, XRF analysis, effluent water sampling, and Legionella testing.

In addition, we provide in house adhesion testing as part of our technical support services, helping customers assess coating performance and process effectiveness. Further details on our in house testing capabilities can be found on our Additional Services page.

Our aim is to support both product validation and ongoing process control to ensure consistent quality and compliance.

Yes. We can assess the performance of your existing metal treatment process through a combination of in house and external testing services.

This may include coating adhesion testing, process evaluation, and recommendations for improvement based on your current operating conditions and substrate requirements. Where needed, we can also arrange external analysis such as salt spray testing, XRF coating measurement, effluent sampling, and other specialist laboratory services.

The goal is to help identify performance gaps, optimise process stability, and ensure consistent coating quality and compliance with your required standards.

Yes. We can support coating failure investigations to help identify the root cause of issues such as poor adhesion, blistering, corrosion, or premature coating breakdown.

This typically involves reviewing your current process conditions, examining the treatment stages, and where necessary arranging additional testing such as adhesion testing, coating weight measurement, or external laboratory analysis (including salt spray or surface analysis).

Our technical team then provides recommendations to help correct process issues and improve long term coating performance and reliability.

The frequency of pre-treatment tank cleaning depends on usage, production volumes, contamination levels, and the specific process chemistry in use.

As a general guideline, regular monitoring of solution quality is recommended to determine when cleaning or maintenance is required, rather than relying on fixed time intervals.

To support effective maintenance, we recommend using our Phos-Prep® PP SADS (Descaler Solution), which is designed to remove scale, sludge, and process build up. Further information can be found on our Products & Processes page.

Yes. Our product Phos-Prep® PP SADS (Descale Solution) is formulated for the maintenance and cleaning of pre-treatment and process tanks. PPSADS removes scale, sludge, and process build up that can affect efficiency and coating quality over time.

Our maintenance product is developed to help maintain stable operating conditions, improve process reliability, and extend equipment life.

Our technical team can advise the correct method for tank maintenance and clean outs.

Yes. We supply an anti-foam solution designed to control and reduce excessive foam formation in process tanks.

Our Phos-Prep® PPAFS1 antifoam is suitable for use with the majority of Phos-Prep® processes and helps maintain stable process conditions by reducing foam build up that can affect spray performance, tank efficiency, and overall process consistency.

Our technical team can advise on correct dosing and suitability for your specific application to ensure optimal performance.

Yes. We supply across the UK and to international markets.

We are able to despatch same day from our central Leicestershire warehouse, subject to stock availability. Failing this products are typically manufactured in 3-5 working days, subject to raw material and packaging availability.

Our logistics network allows us to support customers in a wide range of industries both domestically and overseas, ensuring reliable delivery of Phos-Prep® products wherever they are needed.

Yes. Our Phos-Prep® chemicals are available in a range of pack sizes depending on the product and customer requirements, including 5 litre containers, 25 litre drums, 200 litre drums, and IBCs.

This flexibility allows us to support both smaller scale operations and high volume industrial production, ensuring efficient supply and handling for a wide range of applications.

Yes. We can support tailored and bespoke Phos-Prep® formulations where required for niche or highly specific applications.

Our technical team works closely with experienced chemists to develop and refine solutions that align with your process requirements, substrate type, performance targets, and operational conditions.

This collaborative approach ensures the chemistry is fully optimised for your production environment, delivering consistent and reliable results.