The advantages of electroplating
Sustainable and durable
The advantages of electroplating are numerous. Electroplating is cost-effective, durable and versatile, making our craft, even when applied industrially, a prime example of a sustainable future.
Cost-efficient method
The value share of electroplated surfaces - measured in terms of the total value of the end product - is only 5 to 15 percent, yet electroplating plays a decisive role in the realization of innovative product concepts. It is estimated that surface finishing adds around 20 percent to the value achieved by customer companies. This economic component, combined with the high quality of electroplated layers, is the key to the high value added by electroplating in Germany. The economic benefit of the industry is also clear from the corrosion damage prevented by electroplated protective coatings. In many industrialized countries, the cost of this amounts to around 3 to 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Environmentally friendly
It is not only the technological advantages that speak in favor of electroplating; it is also inextricably linked with ecology. Electroplating considerably increases the service life of objects, equipment and systems. As a result, they greatly reduce the production of scrap and the need for raw materials and energy to manufacture substitute products. This underscores the importance and commitment that electroplating has to the careful use of raw materials.
The future of electroplating
The future of electroplating looks particularly bright. There are many innovations in the field that will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and improve efficiency. New materials are being developed every day that make electroforming easier than ever (and even more environmentally friendly). These include new alloys, such as nickel-based superalloys that have high thermal conductivity. So nothing stands in the way of a sustainable future.
