Unlock faster approvals and keep 2025 launch dates on track with a pretreatment chemistry your OEM already trusts.

OEM expectations are shifting. Regional compliance rules are tightening. And phosphate chemistry is getting harder to defend.

When procurement teams review your quote for new implement components or sprayer booms, they’re not just looking at cost per unit. They’re reading between the lines: What will this system mean for phosphate discharge? How much waste will the plant have to manage? Will this chemistry pass a safety audit without extra walkthroughs?

A zirconium line, with a smaller four stage footprint, answers those concerns up front: no phosphate to flag, practically no sludge to haul, and a pH window that holds steady shift after shift. Instead of debating discharge limits or scheduling extra audits, you move straight to trial panels and qualification.

OEMs are under growing pressure to meet regulatory targets, and suppliers are part of that equation. They’re looking for partners who can meet quality requirements and help them hit their environmental goals.

That’s why your chemistry matters. Not just for performance in the field, but for what it signals on paper.

Environmental Compliance Can’t Be an Afterthought

When you’re quoting new business or preparing for a new implement model, or sprayer assembly, pretreatment might seem like a small detail. But it’s often the thing that determines how fast—or how painfully—you move forward.

Three things raise red flags immediately:

• Whether your chemistry includes phosphate, or regulated waste.

• What your wastewater permit says about “concerning” discharge elements

• How much sludge your process generates per month

Zinc and iron phosphate pretreatment systems contain and can discharge orthophosphates and trace metals including zinc, nickel, and manganese—components that are increasingly scrutinized in wastewater permits due to nutrient loading and potential toxicity concerns.

And in Illinois, for example, new permits are already setting phosphorus discharge limits at 1.0 mg/L, with a target of 0.5 mg/L by 2030 [1].

Once that discharge gets listed in your permit, you’re on the hook for documentation, reporting, potentially costly upgrades, and unwanted attention!

Sludge Handling Is Quietly Killing Your Budget

It’s not just what goes down the drain—it’s what stays in your tanks.

Phosphate systems generate heavy sludge that requires constant maintenance and costly disposal. You’re spending on:

• Filter media and press upkeep
• Endless nozzle maintenance
• Hauling and landfill fees
• Regulated waste tracking (in some states, it’s classified as hazardous under codes like F006 or F019). [2]

On high-volume parts like boom arms, axle housings, and grain-handling panels, those costs don’t stay hidden—they show up in your operating budget and in the sourcing team’s notes.

No matter how strong your coating performance is, the system behind it still has to hold up under scrutiny.

Worker Safety and Regulatory Risk Are Rising

Phosphate pretreatment comes with chemical risks most suppliers can’t afford to ignore.

These systems use heated acids and metal salts like zinc and nickel, hazardous materials that require strict handling protocols. When the tanks are open, the risks to workers go up. Burns. Chemical inhalation. Spill exposure during cleanouts and refills.

In addition, poor chemical management increases your risk of OSHA violations and may create long-term liability for worker health issues.

And without full-time EHS staff, it’s easy for those risks to slip through the cracks—especially as safety audits become more frequent and more thorough.

Here’s What Forward-Thinking AG Suppliers Are Doing Instead

They’re switching to systems that remove friction, not create more of it.

And they’re using chemistries their OEMs already trust.

Steelcote™ 2000 is already qualified across leading OEM platforms.

As a preferred pretreatment supplier to leading agricultural OEMs, CPI helps remove the roadblocks that slow down qualification and business awards.

Our Steelcote™ 2000 zirconium system is:

• Phosphate-free
• Sludge-free
• Pre-approved across multiple OEM paint specs

That means fewer process changes, faster validation, and less back-and-forth during onboarding.

The Bottom Line

OEMs aren’t waiting. Neither are your competitors.

The suppliers getting ahead in 2025 are the ones who’ve already moved away from phosphate-based systems. They’re quoting with confidence, clearing audits faster, and getting to production without delays tied to sludge disposal or discharge thresholds.

Steelcote™ 2000 gives you a chemistry advantage that shows up on the line—and on paper. Want to see how it stacks up against your current system? Let’s talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do OEMs still accept phosphate-based pretreatment?

A: Yes, many OEM platforms still qualify phosphate systems from a performance standpoint. But increasingly, procurement teams are factoring in sustainability, compliance risk, and long-term waste handling costs. Phosphate might pass on paper, but that doesn’t mean it helps you win the business.

Q: What does “pre-approved” really mean when it comes to Steelcote™?

A: It means the chemistry has already been qualified on specific ag OEM paint lines—including powder, liquid, and e-coat platforms—based on corrosion, adhesion, and process compatibility performance. That shortens certification and reduces the risk of requalification delays.

Q: Is zirconium as reliable as phosphate for corrosion resistance and paint adhesion?

A: Yes. When properly matched to substrate and process, zirconium systems consistently meet or exceed OEM specifications for corrosion resistance and adhesion. Steelcote™ 2000 has passed multiple OEM paint system validations, including powder, liquid, and e-coat.

Q: How do I know if my current phosphate system will trigger regulatory issues?

A: Check your wastewater permit for nutrient discharge monitoring, especially phosphorus. If you’re in a state with active nutrient TMDLs (e.g., Illinois, California, Michigan), your permit may already include stricter thresholds. Sludge characterization under RCRA is another red flag, if it tests high in metals like zinc or nickel, it may be classified as hazardous.

Q: How do I justify the switch internally if phosphate is still technically compliant?

A: Look beyond spec sheets. Factor in:

• Sludge disposal costs and labor
• Safety and compliance exposure
• Operating temperature requirements (Steelcote can run at ambient!)
• OEM expectations for sustainability and audit readiness
• Downtime from system cleanouts and maintenance

Most suppliers switching to zirconium do so because the total cost of ownership favors it, even if phosphate appears cheaper on paper.

Q: Can I test Steelcote™ 2000 on my line without a full switchover?

A: Yes. CPI regularly runs test panels, both in the lab and onsite, so you can validate performance before committing. We work with your team to ensure a seamless transition if you decide to make the switch.

Sources: 

[1] https://extension.illinois.edu/nlr/point-source-practices 

[2] https://www.epa.gov/hw/defining-hazardous-waste-listed-characteristic-and-mixed-radiological-wastes