freeCr6plat · Project

Drop-In Chrome Plating Replacement That Eliminates Toxic Chemicals and Cuts Costs 20%

manufacturingPilotedTRL 7

Chrome plating on plastic parts — think shiny car grilles, door handles, badges — has always relied on a seriously nasty chemical called hexavalent chromium, the stuff that causes cancer and is now banned in Europe. A Spanish company figured out how to skip that chemical entirely by using a clever molecular coating that lets metal stick directly to plastic surfaces. The result looks just as good, uses half the energy, a third less chemicals, and costs 20% less to run. It's like swapping out a dirty diesel engine for an electric one — same performance, none of the toxic baggage.

By the numbers

30%

Reduction in chemical usage

35%

Reduction in rinsing water and wastewater

50%

Reduction in energy consumption

20%

Reduction in processing time

20%

Reduction in overall plating and wastewater treatment costs

€105.6M

Projected cumulative turnover over five years

€21.1M

Projected profits over five years

8.6

Projected return on investment

6-16%

Target market penetration in five years

€1.24M

EU contribution

The business problem

What needed solving

The European plating industry has been thrown into crisis by the REACH ban on hexavalent chromium — the chemical that made chrome plating on plastics possible for decades. Companies that plate automotive parts, appliance trim, and consumer electronics housings now face a choice: find a compliant alternative or shut down their plating operations. Most alternatives on the market either compromise on finish quality or require expensive new equipment.

The solution

What was built

A patented Molecular Self Assembly (SAM) direct metallization process that replaces hexavalent chromium in plastic electroplating. The project adapted this technology specifically for automotive plating lines and pursued sector-specific certifications required by car manufacturers.

Audience

Who needs this

Automotive Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers producing chrome-plated plastic trimContract electroplating and surface finishing shopsConsumer electronics manufacturers using decorative chrome on plasticPlumbing fixture and bathroom hardware manufacturersAppliance makers with chrome-finished plastic components

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive Parts Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive suppliers producing chrome-plated plastic trim and exterior parts

If you are an automotive parts supplier still running hexavalent chromium plating lines and facing REACH compliance deadlines — this project developed a patented Molecular Self Assembly technique that eliminates Cr(VI) entirely while reducing your chemical usage by 30%, wastewater by 35%, and energy consumption by 50%. The process delivers the same adhesion and finish quality that OEMs demand, at 20% lower overall cost.

Electroplating & Surface Treatment

SME

Target: Contract plating shops and surface finishing companies serving multiple industries

If you are a plating service provider worried about losing customers because your Cr(VI) process is banned under REACH — this project built a direct metallization process that works on a wide variety of plastic surfaces and simplifies the number of plating steps. The technology cuts rinsing water and wastewater generation by 35% and processing time by 20%, which means higher throughput on existing lines with lower operating costs.

Consumer Electronics & Appliances

any

Target: Manufacturers of chrome-finished consumer products such as appliances, fixtures, and electronics housings

If you are a consumer goods manufacturer that uses decorative chrome plating on plastic housings and is looking for a REACH-compliant alternative — this project demonstrated a drop-in replacement process that maintains high-quality chrome finishing without hexavalent chromium. The 50% reduction in energy consumption and 20% lower plating costs can significantly improve margins on high-volume production runs.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much does it cost to switch from conventional Cr(VI) plating to this process?

The project does not disclose a specific licensing fee or conversion cost. However, the objective states the process reduces overall plating and wastewater treatment costs by 20% compared to conventional systems. With projected cumulative turnover of €105.6M and profits of €21.1M over five years, the economics suggest a strong payback case.

Can this run on existing industrial plating lines or does it need new equipment?

The project was specifically designed for industrial-scale adoption. The objective states the aim was to adapt the process to automotive plating lines, which implies integration with existing infrastructure rather than building from scratch. The technology also simplifies the number of process steps, which could mean less equipment rather than more.

Is the technology patented and how can I license it?

Yes, the objective explicitly mentions a patented Molecular Self Assembly (SAM) technique. The technology is owned by Avanzare Innovacion Tecnologica SL in Spain. Licensing or partnership terms would need to be discussed directly with them.

Does this meet REACH and automotive OEM certification requirements?

The entire project was built around REACH compliance — hexavalent chromium is banned under Directive 76/769/EEC. One of the project's stated goals was obtaining specific certifications required by the automotive sector. Based on available project data, the certification process was underway during the project period (2018-2021).

What is the actual quality compared to traditional chrome plating?

The objective states the technique maintains adhesion promotion within the process, resulting in high quality finishing results comparable to the conventional process. This is critical for automotive applications where OEMs have strict appearance and durability standards.

How quickly can this be deployed?

The project ran from September 2018 to April 2021 and targeted short-term market uptake. The projected market penetration was 6% to 16% within five years of commercialization, suggesting the technology was near deployment-ready at project close.

What environmental benefits can I report to regulators?

The numbers are concrete: 30% reduction in chemical usage, 35% less rinsing water and wastewater generation, and 50% lower energy consumption. These are directly reportable metrics for environmental compliance and corporate sustainability reporting.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project by Avanzare Innovacion Tecnologica SL, a Spanish SME that is both the sole partner and coordinator. The 100% industry composition with no university or research institute involvement signals a commercially driven effort — this is a company taking its own technology to market, not an academic exercise. Funded at €1.24M under SME Instrument Phase 2, which the European Commission reserves for high-potential SMEs with near-market innovations. The lack of consortium partners means all IP and commercial decisions sit with one entity, which simplifies licensing negotiations for potential buyers or partners.

AVANZARE INNOVACION TECNOLOGICA SLCoordinator · ES

How to reach the team

Avanzare Innovacion Tecnologica SL, Spain — contact through SciTransfer for a structured introduction

Order a report on this consortium See AVANZARE INNOVACION TECNOLOGICA SL profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to evaluate this Cr(VI)-free plating technology for your production lines? SciTransfer can arrange a technical briefing with the development team and provide a compatibility assessment for your specific application.

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