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Value of Electroplating on Plastics in North America

I am an employee of a company that provides PVD, Physical Vapor Deposition equipment. I'm researching the market size in North America for plastics which have been chrome plated. Anyone have any information on how much this market may be worth?

Dan Koewler
Sales Manager - Cincinnati Ohio, USA
December 22, 2010

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Hi, Dan. Sorry, I don't know the actual total value, but most automobile grills and other exposed exterior brightwork is chrome plated plastic, so it's a very substantial amount of business.

I hope there is no obfuscation with this process that gives chrome plating an undeserved bad name again -- mostly kidding but, in auto enthusiast letters to this site, chrome plating is still taking the rap for all that miserably short-lived vacuum metallizing on interior auto parts in the '60s and '70s, and the sputtering on some Chevy grills :-)

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
December 22, 2010

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It is a very large market, but concentrated. The largest market is for automotive exterior trim. Plated plastic plumbing fixtures is also a significant though smaller market.

There are probably only 20-30 large volume plastic platers in the US. The US is probably between 25 and 33 % of the world market with Europe and Asia close behind. For more market info, you might try contacting the plastic industry associations, or the chemical suppliers for this industry. They may have the information that you are seeking.

The corrosion and wear resistance requirements are very stringent for these applications, so you may first want to see if your process can meet these specifications before venturing into this market.

Lyle Kirman
consultant - Cleveland Heights, Ohio
December 25, 2010