Sustainability
Our commitment to the future
With our commitment to sustainable solutions we are making a difference. We strongly believe in covering the world’s current demand for technologies and chemicals while contributing to a more sustainable plating industry. We do so by carefully selecting and using less hazardous chemicals whenever possible, eliminating waste water to the greatest extent possible, as well as reducing our carbon footprint. We continue to bolster our environmental platform and are well-positioned to support our customers in perfectly fulfilling environmental laws and regulations for their manufacturing processes.
We are seeking to remove the following from our products and are committed to doing so over time:
- CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxic)
- Toxic substances (e.g. cyanide, hexavalent chromium, nickel-compounds)
- Heavy metals (e.g. lead, mercury, cadmium)
- Allergenic substances (e.g. nickel)
Benefits for the environment
Our systems and equipment are designed to use water, energy, and raw materials highly efficiently, reusing and recycling wherever possible. Combined with precise process control and a perfect combination of chemical products and equipment, this efficient design benefits the environment by generating less waste. The result: our customers profit from higher yields and lower costs, making sustainability even more attractive.
Sustainable technology
To limit our footprint meaningfully, we constantly introduce sophisticated production practices and evaluate smarter alternatives. Today we are the partner of choice when it comes to delivering solutions that balance profitability with sustainability.
6%
Less than 6% toxic substances in our chemical products (2019)
45%
of our R&D projects are devoted to sustainable goals (2019)
“For us, it’s about finding the balance between industrial innovation, sustainability, and economic viability. We will continue to launch environmentally responsible surface-finishing solutions in the future.”
Dr. Olivier Mann (left)
Director Electronics R&D at Atotech Group
Dr. Philip Hartmann (right)
Director General Metal Finishing R&D at Atotech Group
“For us, it’s about finding the balance between industrial innovation, sustainability, and economic viability. We will continue to launch environmentally responsible surface-finishing solutions in the future.”
Dr. Dirk Rohde
Director Electronics R&D at Atotech Group
Dr. Philip Hartmann
Director General Metal Finishing R&D at Atotech Group
Environmentally responsible chemical processes for today
| Cr(VI)-free processes for zinc post-treatment and chrome plating |
| Cr and Co-free passivates for zinc plating |
| Cr(VI), Co, Ni, Cd and other heavy-metal-free zinc flake technology |
| CN-free alkaline zinc, copper, silver processes and zincates |
| Ni-free processes as alternative to satin nickel in decorative applications for consumer goods (electronics, cosmetics, etc.) |
| Pb, Cd and toxic heavy metal stabilizer-free electroless nickel processes for electroless nickel plating and the pretreatment of plastics |
| Boric acid-free acid zinc and acid zinc nickel processes |
| Pb-free and NPE-free tin processes for electronic applications |
| Cl-free palladium nickel process for connector applications |
| Ni and Co-free hard gold processes for connector applications |
| Non-PFOS, non-PFC mist suppressants for decorative and functional Cr(VI) plating applications |
| Liquid chromium replenishment products for decorative and functional chrome plating with greater user-friendliness |
| Borate-, NPE- and phosphate-free cleaners |
| Long-life, low-temperature cleaners utilizing biotechnology |
| Phosphate- and P-free cleaners, adhesion promoters and zirconium pretreatment coatings for various coating types (powder paint, wet paint, E-coat, enamel) |
| Chlorinated solvent-free, substrate-preserving paint stripping processes |
| Biodegradable NPE- and PFOS-free acid cleaner |
| Boron-free acid cleaners |
| Direct palladium on copper |
| EDTA-free electroless copper for high-tech processes |
| Fluoride-free metal strippers |
| Formaldehyde-free electroless copper |
| Methanol-free passivation |
| Metal stabilizer-free electroless nickel |
| Nickel-free electroless copper |
| Lead-free alternatives for surface finishing |
| Reduction of DMAB consumption |
| Cyanide-free immersion gold bath |
| Replacement of biocides for acid cleaners |
| Replacement of thiourea for NEAP alternatives |
| Solvent-free silanes |
More efficiency while remaining sustainable
Complementing our environmentally responsible chemical products, Atotech offers auxiliary and production equipment to reinforce sustainable production efforts.
