Editorial, News, and Products
MacDermid Enthone Hosts Mexico Sustainability Summit
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions showcases its commitment to promoting sustainable solutions in surface finishing and wastewater treatment.
Constant Reinvention
Industry events highlight the intersections between areas of manufacturing and the ways today’s industry trends are changing the way things are made.
Reduced Ion Electroless Nickel to Meet a Sustainable Future
Reduced ion electroless nickel technology operates at lower metal concentrations than conventional EN and has an important role in the future of sustainable EN processes.
Pulling Out All the Stops
Evolving coatings and finishes for automotive brake components.
Episode 34: An Interview with Chrissy Pullara, Astro Electroplating
From research chemist to chemistry teacher to marketing manager to business development, Astro Electroplating’s new president Chrissy Pullara has already had a prolific career in finishing — she recently sat down with Products Finishing to talk about her experience, trends in the industry and what’s next for her company.
Bonus Podcast: SUR/FIN 2023 Interview with Richard Lynch, MacDermid Enthone
Products Finishing talks trends in the finishing industry with Richard Lynch, senior global vice president, MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions.
An Overview of Electroless Nickel Plating
By definition, electroless plating is metal deposition by a controlled chemical reaction.
A Chromium Plating Overview
An overview of decorative and hard chromium electroplating processes.
Thailand’s Platers Rally to the Finish in the “Detroit of Asia”
The growing automotive industry in Thailand allows plating job shops to invest continuously.
Connecticut Businesses Join Forces for Educational Program
A group of rival businesses comes together to educate the next generation of metal finishers.
The New Wild West of Automotive Finishing
The advent of the EV and new application opportunities for finishers.
The Importance of Rack Maintenance
A look at how poor rack maintenance contributes to wasted time, wasted chemicals and wasted materials.
The Importance of Strike Solutions
Electroplating strikes are used to improve adhesion and create a foundation for subsequent layers when plating. In this helpful article, Adam Blakeley of MacDermid Enthone offers an insightful guide to understanding electroplating strikes.
Interview: Richard Lynch Discusses MacDermid Enthone's Centennial and Looking to the Future
This year marks the 100 year anniversary of MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions. As the company commemorates its century of innovation, vice president Richard Lynch emphasizes the company’s plans for the future.
MacDermid Enthone Celebrates 100 Years
Founded in 1922, MacDermid Enthone reaches a 100 year milestone in serving a number of industries including a wide range of surface finishing applications.
Contaminants in a Bright Nickel Bath
Preventative maintenance for mitigating the accumulation of impurities.
MacDermid Enthone Acquires HSO Herbert Schmidt
HSO Herbert Schmidt GmbH & Co. KG. develops and manufactures highly specialized chemicals for the surface finishing industry, specializing in the field of plating on plastics and sustainable plating technologies.
Episode 13: On the Line — The Year In Review
In this episode of On the Line, Products Finishing takes a look back at the most pertinent stories covered by the podcast in 2021.
Episode 11: Weathering the Supply Chain Storm, Part 2 - Metal Plating
Douglas Hughes, product manager wear resistant coatings for MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solution discusses the current supply challenges facing the finishing industry.
MacDermid Enthone Closes Coventya Acquisition
Coventya joins the MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions business within Industrial and Specialty segment.
MacDermid Enthone Highlights Sustainability-Focused Etching Process
SUR/FIN 2021 exhibitor MacDermid Enthone showcases its Evolve plating process, a chromium-free etch process specifically designed for supply chain sustainability.
High-quality Anodized Coatings for Cast Alloy Types
CASTELOX products provide high-quality anodized coatings for cast alloy types
Coventya Receives Stellantis Approval for Chrome Process
The Performance and Design Approval is for the Tristar 300 Decorative Trivalent Chrome Process
Calculating Electroless Nickel Square Footage
Matthew Wojcik of Coventya Inc. offers advice for calculating the proper square footage of work that can be processed through an EN bath.
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions Announces Intention to Acquire Coventya
The acquisition is expected to close by or in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Avoiding Roughness and Pitting in Decorative Bright Nickel
Doug Lay of Coventya Inc. offers a troubleshooting guide for avoiding roughness and pitting in decorative bright nickel processing.
Coventya Launches Alumal Elox 557
Coventya Inc. introduces Alumal Elox 557, a liquid product designed to enhance the conventional anodizing electrolyte based on sulfuric acid.
Coventya Introduces Eco-Friendly PTFE Composite Coating
Coventya’s ENOVA 115 PTFE process is an electroless nickel-phosphorus plating system that is PFOS/PFOA free.
40 Under 40: Class of 2021
Each year, PF editors comb through a long list of nominees with a wide range of skill sets to select the 40 Under 40 class. This year's finalists include engineers, operations managers, chemists, general managers, sales professionals and entrepreneurs working in the finishing industry.
MacDermid Enthone Names New VP Global Marketing
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions has announced the promotion of Emilio Pedral to Vice President Global Marketing.
An Interview with Incoming NASF President Jeff Brassard
Incoming NASF president Jeff Brassard discusses his experiences in the surface finishing industry and his goals for the association.
MacDermid Enthone Appoints Six Sigma Program Manager
The company has appointed Dr. Andy Lesko as the Six Sigma Program Manager for North America.
Protecting COVID Adapted Facilities
As the pandemic continues to evolve, hardcoated films with antimicrobial protection can help protect the surfaces of quick service installations that were installed to address COVID protocols.
Conductivity in Hard Chrome Plating Baths
Measuring the conductivity of your hard chromium plating bath can help to determine how to best optimize its performance.
MacDermid Enthone Targets New Autotex AM Film to Restaurants
MacDermid Enthone has debuted a new Autotex AM hardcoat film with antimicrobial features. The company recommends this film for quick service restaurants.
Electro Chemical Finishing Earns DecoKlad License
Electro Chemical Finishing has earned DecoKlad licensing, becoming the third applicator in North America authorized for MacDermid Enthone Fashion Finishes.
Products Finishing at IMTS Spark
Products Finishing announces Plating Insights track at IMTS Spark, a digital experience that connects exhibitors and visitors through educational programming, demonstrations and networking opportunities.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Nickel Show from Hex-Chrome Baths
Nickel show on parts from hexavalent chromium baths can have many causes. Adam Blakeley of MacDermid Enthone lays out potential causes and how to fix them.
A Conversation with Richard Lynch of MacDermid Enthone
Vice president of MacDermid Enthone Richard Lynch talks to Products Finishing about the importance of mentors, sustainability and sweater vests.
MacDermid Launches Environmental Solutions Business
MacDermid Envio Solutions will focus on helping customers profitably reduce their environmental impact through proprietary water treatments and materials recycling solutions.
MacDermid Enthone's Kenlevel Offers Nontoxic Process
Kenlevel BF2 provides a burn-free deposit with metal distribution, bright appearance and passivate receptivity for improved corrosion performance.
Fixing Dull Parts From Alkaline Zinc-Nickel Bath
A lack of expected brightness is a common malady affecting many alkaline zinc-nickel platers, and MacDermid Enthone’s Adam Blakeley provides some answers to fix it.
MacDermid Enthone Promotes Richard Lynch and Glen Breault
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions (MEIS) promotes Rich Lynch as VP MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions and Glen Breault as VP North America Industrial Solutions.
MacDermid Enthone Enseal is Chromium-Free Sealer
Product is an ELV-compliant clear, water-based inorganic sealer for use on electroplated, zinc and zinc-nickel finishes.
Volkswagen Approves MacDermid's Trivalent Chromium Process
Volkswagen approves Trilyte Flash SF to meet its global requirements for decorative exterior and interior trim.
MacDermid Enthone Acquires Chemtech Systems
Acquisition expands MacDermid Enthone’s investments in surface finishing equipment design and supply.
MacDermid Enthone Supports Folds of Honor
Charity provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members.
How to Ensure Topcoat or Sealer Maintains Corrosion Resistance
Adam Blakeley with MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions says there are six crucial parameters for proper application of sealers.
MacDermid Enthone Coatings Improve Durability, Aesthetics
MacDermid’s chemistries are used for metal and plastics in a range of applications.
MacDermid Promotes Timms to Director of Sustainable Excellence
MacDermid Promotes Jonathan Timms to Director of Sustainable Excellence
MacDermid to Support Fiat Chrysler's Chromium-plated Plastics
MacDermid to Support Fiat Chrysler's Chromium-plated Plastics
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions Debuts NiKlad ELV Velocity HP Process
Process is a new generation, lead and cadmium-free, high speed high phosphorus electroless nickel plating system that allows for improved plating rates.
MacDermid Enthone Academy Offers Training Program
Initially known as the Plating Academy, the training scheme was initiated in 2003 to provide a standard format for employee education in electroplating.
Master Finish Receives MacDermid Enthone DecoKlad License
This license makes the MIchigan shop the first DecoKlad applicator in the Americas and the fourth to be certified globally in the program.
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions Promotes Lynch to VP of Americas
Richard Lynch has more than 30 years in the industry, having held various technical, sales and operations roles, most recently as the MEIS director of marketing and business development.
Goralski to Manage MacDermid Performance Solutions Global Supply Chain
MacDermid Performance Solutions (MPS) has promoted Mike Goralski to vice president charged with managing the full global supply chain for all five of its business units.
MacDermid Enthone Appoints New Lead in Americas
Richard Lynch will serve as vice president of the Americas for MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions (MEIS), a division of MacDermid Performance Solutions.
Negative Effect of Tri-Chrome on Bath Quality
MacDermid Enthone’s Adam Blakeley provides background information and offers suggestions for combating trivalent chromium build-up in plating baths.
QA Program Aims for Consistent, High-Performance Automotive Coatings
At Sur/Fin 2018, MacDermid Enthone will highlight its DecoKlad quality assurance program for high-performance decorative automotive coatings, which aims to ensures globally consistent performance from a network of approved applicators.
Anodizing Brake Calipers
The process places special demands on the coater, and on the process suppliers.
Options to Improve Passivate and Chromite Coatings
How do you improve the quality of a passivate coating if there are mechanical limitations? MacDermid Enthone’s Adam Blakeley offers a detailed explanation.
A Conversation with David Gasparovich, MacDermid Enthone
David Gasparovich describes his job as “solving OEM coatings challenges,” and he happens to be very good at it.
Platform Specialty Products Separates MacDermid Into Own Unit
MacDermid Performance Solutions encompasses acquisitions it has made over the years, including Enthone and OMG.
Top Surface Finishing Innovations of 2016
We look back at the industry’s top new products and services for the past year.
Improving Acid Zinc Coverage and Brightness
Q. We plate our parts in a mixed acid-zinc rack bath, containing both ammonium and potassium chloride. How do we improve our zinc deposit’s clarity, brightness and thickness, especially in the low current density (LCD) areas of our parts without sacrificing throw power and without plating for excessively long periods of time?
Understanding Corrosion and Salt Spray
How it’s produced, NSS testing and how to get the best results possible.
MacDermid Parent Finalizes Enthone, OMG Purchase
It's Platform's third acquisition after its acquisitions of MacDermid in October 2013 and OM Group, Inc. in October 2015.
MacDermid Opens New Facility In Mexico
The 21,000 sq ft facility includes a state-of-the-art laboratory capable of performing tests such as atomic absorption, HPLC and other.
Macdermid Parent Buys Enthone Group
Cash and stock transaction for approximately $2.1 billion; including net debt, the total transaction value is approximately $2.3 billion.
Tawas Plating Becomes Approved ZinKlad Applicator
Tawas Plating Company was founded by Dr. Paul Chevis in 1954 after retirement from General Motors
MacDermid Opens Japan Desk in Metro Detroit
Bilingual account manager will cater to the needs of Japanese automotive OEMs and their expanding supply chain here in North America.
MacDermid Sponsors Automotive Decorative Finishes Seminar in Germany
Attendees updated on REACh as it relates to the “Plating on Plastic” industry; introduced to MacDermid’s latest innovations in hexavalent chromium-free pretreatment and plating technology.
Coating by the Billions
A Raymond Tinnerman coats automotive parts fasteners and clips … a lot of them
MacDermid Launches Automotive Surface Finishing Video
See the video that showcases company's capability in the automotive plating sector.
Aerospace Drives More Calls for Non-Chrome Passivate Finishes
More finishers are warming up to using non-chrome passivation as a way to satisfy customers who don’t want to use hexavalent chromium for corrosion treatment.
Plating on Plastic Using Gas
GM-driven process increases materials that can be chrome plated.
Investigation of the Blackening Process of Electroless Nickel-Phosphorous Coatings and Their Properties
Electroless black nickel-phosphorus plating is an advanced electroless nickel plating process formulated to deposit a black finish when processed through an oxidizing acid solution.
EN Versus EN
Comparing conventional and RoHS/ELV-compliant electroless nickels
Notes From the Field
User experience with an organically stabilized electroless nickel process
A Reputation for Quality
Finisher builds for the future with diversified services
Electroless Nickel: Beyond ELV
A look at the current state of EN technology
Serendipity and Smart Management
This job shop found itself in position to capitalize when two large manufacturers with captive plating operations decided to exit the electroless nickel plating business.
Finishing Solutions Beyond the Surface
Not only does Imagineering provide EN, passivation and phosphating, it helps engineer the coating you want and need on your part…
Chromium Alternative Solves Problem
Working together, the finisher, customer and supplier found the best solution to what could have been a costly finishing situation...
Decorative Plating at Quaker City
Quaker City Plating provides high- end, high-value decorative plating on plastic and metal substrates. Although its customers have always been satisfied, QCP wasn't. It wanted a better preplate system for its plastic plating processes, and it found what it was looking for...
Zinc Finds New Home at Anoplate
Deciding which zinc alloy will work best...
The Zinc Plating Difference
It isn't the equipment, the chemicals or the process; it's the people...
Adhesion of Electroless Nickel Deposits to Aluminum Alloys
We now have a better understanding of the factors influencing adhesion...
Plating Difficult Substrates with Electroless Nickel
With any plating process, deposition is the most interesting aspect. However, pretreatment is the most important...