Boeing recently prepared a new GOL Airlines 737-800 for its first-ever application of a chrome-free primer to a single-aisle airplane bound for revenueservice.

As part of Boeing’s life cycle approach to reducing environmental impact and in response to requests from the Brazilian carrier and other customers, Boeing has introduced a chrome-free primer to complement chrome-free exterior decorative paint, which Boeing has used for more than a decade.

In addition to simplified health and safety monitoring requirements, a chrome-free primer reduces the environmental impact of the paint and stripping process. Using a chrome-free primer eliminates the need for designated offsite disposal areas and special handling of paint waste and clean up.

In August a KLM 777-300 ER received a similar treatment which also has been used on the AH-64 Apache helicopter for several years.