Liebherr Aerospace has expanded its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations in Shanghai, reinforcing its footprint in China and addressing increasing regional demand for advanced maintenance services. As part of the expansion, the company has set up a dedicated 800 m² MRO area for the testing and re-coring of heat transfer equipment.
As part of its commitment to sustainable maintenance solutions, Liebherr has industrialised a REACH-compliant TCS (Trivalent Chromium System) and PACS (Post Application Conversion Sealer) coating process for heat transfer equipment, following extensive validation at its original equipment manufacturing facility in Toulouse, France.
With the introduction of these REACH-compliant processes, Liebherr has become the first company in China to offer this service for heat transfer equipment to airline customers. The solution provides a safe and future-ready approach that complies with global aviation standards, reduces regulatory risks and is trusted worldwide. It helps safeguard people, ensure supply stability and support seamless international operations. Thanks to this fully integrated in-house maintenance capability, all future maintenance work can now be carried out on site.
TCS improves corrosion resistance and paint adhesion, while PACS seals and strengthens the protective layer to ensure long-term durability. Together, the two processes deliver performance comparable to conventional coatings, without the associated environmental impact.
The coating process complies with REACH — the European Union’s Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals — which was introduced to enhance the protection of human health and the environment from chemical-related risks. Compliance with the regulation requires the replacement of traditional chromium-based treatments with more environmentally responsible alternatives.
“This milestone highlights the strong collaboration between our teams in China and our OEM organization,” stated Eric Thévenot, General Manager, Customer Services & MRO, Liebherr China Co., “By introducing the REACH-compliant TCS/PACS coating process, we are strengthening the sustainability of our services while maintaining the highest technical standards. Ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks also prepares our customers in China for future environmental requirements.”
