Clearview sat down with Jens Hoppe( Head of Manufacturing Process Innovation), Karl Thomas( Head of Surface Technology HOPPE-Group) and Michael Ottersbach( Head of Innovation Production) in Germany, and Ged Ryan, CEO of HOPPE( UK), to explore the sometimes-overlooked alternative of anodised aluminium; a material |
that doesn’ t just compete with stainless steel but often exceeds it in performance, aesthetics, and versatility.
The Case for Consideration
“ We’ re not here to say stainless steel is wrong,” Ged Ryan begins.“ We manufacture in stainless steel, aluminium, brass, nylon; we’ re happy to offer the right
|
material for the right application. But the key is: let’ s make that choice informed.”
Too often, Jens explains that,“ stainless steel is chosen because people think it’ s the strongest, the most durable, that it’ ll last forever in any environment. That’ s not always the case.”
Karl, from HOPPE’ s technical team in Germany, agrees.“ Stainless steel can vary massively in
|
quality. It depends on the chromium content. If that’ s low, the steel can corrode, even rust. 316 grade performs very well, especially in harsh environments, but cheaper grades like 201 or 304 may not. So, it’ s not a one-size-fits-all solution.”
Anodised Aluminium
Unlike stainless steel, anodised aluminium offers consistency across the board.“ Anodising is a stable, controlled process,” explains Karl“ You’ re not just coating the metal; you’ re creating an oxidised layer on the surface that behaves like ceramic. It seals the surface, making it airtight, watertight, and extremely durable.”
|
It’ s a process used across multiple industries, including the automotive sector.“ Look at roof rails on cars from the 1990s,” Jens says.“ Many were made from anodised aluminium, and they still look good today. That tells you something.”
The Longevity Factor
One of anodised aluminium’ s strongest advantages is its longterm performance in real-world environments; especially coastal or urban areas, where humidity, salt, and pollution are major concerns.
“ In the UK, we’ ve got anodised handles from the 1980s still in the field,” Ged shares.“ They look almost as good as the day they were installed. It’ s not just about how well a product operates, it’ s about how it looks over time. People take confidence from that.”
Stainless steel, despite its name, isn’ t always maintenance-free.“ It can build up grime, especially in rough finishes. Grease and dirt get into those microscopic valleys,” Karl notes.“ Anodised aluminium has a smoother surface, which is much easier to clean and less prone to fingerprint smudges.”
|
Jens Hoppe |
Karl Thomas |
Everyday Durability
Beyond the environment, hardware faces daily wear and tear. Keys, rings, and repetitive use all take their toll.“ Anodised alumin-
|