Umicore MDS: Partnership with Valterra Platinum on Electroplating Technologies
Valterra Platinum and Umicore MDS have launched a new partnership to advance the development and commercialization of PGM-based electroplating technologies for high-value industrial applications.
The partnership between Umicore MDS and Valterra Platinum aims to create new, sustainable demand opportunities for platinum group metals as the automotive industry continues to evolve. It builds on Valterra Platinum’s long-standing experience in industrial collaboration and expanding partnerships with processors. Under the agreement, Valterra Platinum will invest up to 2.5 million euros over the first three years and work with Umicore MDS to bring technologies from laboratory research to market readiness. Umicore MDS will contribute an equivalent value in the form of research and development services, drawing on its deep expertise in the fields of materials chemistry, surface technologies, and industrial scaling. The initial research and development program will focus on high-speed platinum plating, particularly in the electronics sector, such as in connector applications. This application area represents a significant market in which platinum could offer a competitive, cost-effective, and durable alternative to gold, for which industrial demand currently stands at over 300 metric tons per year. Over time, additional projects and strategic partners may be added.
Partnership for High-Speed Platinum Plating
Craig Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Valterra Platinum, said: “As one of the world’s leading PGM producers, we are focused on creating sustainable, long-term demand for PGMs by collaborating with industry leaders who can turn innovation into reality. Umicore’s expertise in surface technologies and commercialization makes it an ideal partner for developing new PGM applications in electronics and other promising sectors. This collaboration reflects our disciplined approach to market development and our belief that targeted, high-quality partnerships can have a significant impact.” Michael Herkommer, Vice President of Umicore Metal Deposition Solutions, added: “Valterra Platinum has a clear vision of establishing platinum as an attractive material for a broader range of industries beyond its traditional markets. At Umicore MDS, a global leader in precious metal-based surface finishing solutions, we bring the necessary expertise and market knowledge to identify emerging trends and translate them into scalable processes. This partnership enables us to focus on the targeted development of innovative solutions that result in platinum coatings comparable in performance to other precious metal coatings while offering significantly improved cost-effectiveness.”
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