Hazardous substances

Saab is actively replacing hazardous chemical products and materials.

Image: Gripen SA01 flies past the Union Buildings, Pretoria, South Africa. Water-based paint is used for the final painting of the Gripen aircraft. Photo Frans Dely/AvPix Publishing.

Saab’s operations have for many years used a detailed process to monitor and follow up chemical products and hazardous substances. This entails continuously improving the identification of hazardous substances in products, placing more stringent information demands on suppliers and limiting chemical assessments to a few qualified individuals in each business unit. The web based system (SaabChem/SOC) for dealing with chemical products is continually being developed and improved.

Image: Chlorinated VOC (trichloroethylene) is used for cleaning purposes. Through active efforts the consumption has decreased in recent years.

Considerably reduced hazardous substances

To meet safety and technical performance requirements companies within the defence, aviation and space field unfortunately have to use materials and chemical substances classified as hazardous to humans and the environment. In order to reduce the use of hazardous substances, Saab has participated in several national and international projects. The highest priority is given to replacement of trichloroethylene, VOCs, lead, chromates and cadmium.

Over a 10-year period the use of substances with a high safety, health and environmental impact rating has decreased considerably.

Involvement in environmental guidelines

Furthermore, Saab has been involved in a Nordic project regarding the development of guidelines for environmental adaptation of electronic products. A special Saab internal Technical Transfer Group has been established to handle issues regarding hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products and components.

Monitoring the EU’s new legislation on chemicals

Saab is carefully monitoring the implementation of the EU’s new legislation on chemicals, REACH (Registration, Evaluation & Authorization of CHemicals), through participation in various groups, like in AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD). Saab has also formed a special Chemical Group to follow up the implementation of REACH and to support the business units as they adapt to REACH. The companies within ASD have established REACH interpretation guidelines. 

Among the first to phase out ozone-depleting substances

Saab was one of the first aerospace companies in the world to phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances in aircraft manufacturing processes. Considerable improvements have also been achieved in replacing cadmium, minimizing use of trichloroethylene and reducing emissions of VOCs.