Lloyds Engineering Works Limited (LEWL) has taken a significant step towards global expansion by entering into an expanded cross-border agreement with The Material Works Ltd. (TMW), USA, for the design, manufacture, marketing, and commercial deployment of Eco Pickled Surface (EPS) technology. EPS is a patented, acid-less steel pickling solution and is regarded as the first technology of its kind in the world.
Under the expanded agreement, Lloyds Engineering is authorised to exclusively design, manufacture, market, and deploy EPS systems across international markets, subject to defined contractual exclusions. This development materially enhances the global commercial footprint of EPS technology and significantly boosts Lloyds Engineering’s export potential.
Steel pickling is a critical process in the steel value chain, with over 80% of cold steel products globally requiring pickling before further processing. Traditionally, this process relies on acid-based methods that are capital-intensive and pose serious environmental and safety concerns. Conventional pickling plants require heavy capital expenditure, generate hazardous waste, and involve complex effluent treatment systems.
EPS technology offers a transformative alternative. The process eliminates the use of hazardous acids, operates with zero liquid discharge, and relies on recyclable materials. In addition to being environmentally sustainable, EPS substantially reduces capital expenditure, making it a commercially viable solution for steel manufacturers across geographies. The technology aligns strongly with global decarbonisation goals and increasingly stringent environmental regulations in the steel industry.
Lloyds Engineering had first introduced EPS technology in India in 2023 under an earlier arrangement, becoming the first company in the country to commercialise acid-less steel pickling technology. With the current agreement, EPS transitions from a primarily domestic deployment to a globally addressable technology offering. This enables Lloyds Engineering to actively pursue international customers and export-led growth opportunities.
