A coating material has Cr-rich regions having a Cr content >95% by mass which form Cr-containing particles. At least some of these particles are present in the form of aggregates or agglomerates, at least some have pores and have in the Cr-rich regions a mean nanohardness HIT 0.005/5/1/5 of ≦4 GPa and/or a mean surface area, measured by BET, >0.05 m2/g. The coating material is particularly suitable for cold gas spraying. There is also described a process for the production of a coating, and to a coating produced by the process.