Metal Plating Companies Are Going Green

Many believe that the metal plating industry is one of the top contributors to the worsening of environment. While everyone has his own reasons to be skeptic, it seems that statistical data from different studies support this claim. But the good news is, despite this 'unpopular image' given to this particular industry segment, a lot of metal plating companies now are working to go green - by setting standards for a cleaner and greener environment, which are integrated to their metal plating processes.

Lots of companies in the industry have taken the necessary steps for the attainment of a cleaner and greener environment. In fact, these measures can be considered a 'milestone' undertaking, which others should follow.

Below are some example of environmental measures set by metal plating companies that are dedicated to going green:

'Improvement on general housekeeping'

Metal plating companies take measure to keep the plating environment clean, keeping foreign matters away to reduce contamination of the process bath. These companies have also replaced the traditional tanks with ones that are corrosion-resistant.

'The use of additives'

The use of additives is also popular as this helps to aid the metal plating process, by waste generation reduction. Some additives being used are wetting agents, non-chelated process chemicals.

'Equipment enhancement'

Lots of metal companies dedicated to going green continue to work on enhancing their plating and other process equipment (e.g. replacing machines with new ones that consume lesser fuel or electricity). Equipment enhancement does not only help in controlling pollution but it also a way to prevent contamination of the process bath and extend its life.

'Chemical substitution'

The use of alternative chemicals in the metal plating process is also being practiced by these metal plating companies. As an example, they replace cyanide-based plating with non-cyanide-based processes. This is aimed at reducing toxic disposals that are usually produced by common chemicals.

'Waste segregation'

Removing impurities from baths can also improve wastes management process. This can include techniques including filtration, carbonate freezing, precipitation, electrolysis, and carbon treatment.

'On-site recycling and recovery'

Reusing of bath solutions is also being practiced as this can reduce wastes discharge. Acid solution regeneration and spent acid bath reuse are some examples that can be applied in the process.

True indeed that there is still a long way to go and a lot of work to do to be able to achieve a kind of environment we are aiming to have. But it is nice to know that there are companies in the industry that have taken a bold step towards the attainment of this goal.

Riza is an Internet enthusiast who loves to write and share an array of topics - including industry-related info. For more on this topic, visit: GMP Plating, Inc - a metal plating company in Bayarea.