Metal Finishing Chemicals Global Market Report 2024

Metal finishing chemicals are substances employed for electroplating or treating metal parts. These chemicals play a crucial role in forming a thin coating on metals, enhancing their appearance, improving marketability, increasing corrosion and wear resistance, adding value, and enhancing the overall function or performance of the product. Commonly used chemicals in metal finishing include chromic acid, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide.

The main types of metal finishing chemicals include plating chemicals, cleaning chemicals, conversion coating, proprietary chemicals, and others. Plating chemicals involve the application of metal coatings on various materials through processes such as autocatalytic chemical reduction of metal cations in a liquid bath. These may include formula additives, metal salts, and other consumables used in electroless plating, electrodeposition, anodized layer formation, or electroplating. The materials used in metal finishing chemicals cover a range of metals, including zInc., nickel, chrome, copper, gold, silver, platinum, and others. Processes such as electroplating, chemical and electro-chemical conversion, and electroless plating are utilized. Metal finishing chemicals find applications across various industries, including automotive, electrical and electronics, industrial machinery, construction, aerospace and defense, among others.

The metal finishing chemicals market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides metal finishing chemicals market statistics, including metal finishing chemicals industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a metal finishing chemicals market share, detailed metal finishing chemicals market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the metal finishing chemicals industry. This metal finishing chemicals market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The metal finishing chemicals market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.31 billion in 2023 to $13.23 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to several factors, including manufacturing growth, the expansion of renewable energy, adherence to environmental regulations, developments in the automotive industry, and advancements in the electronics sector.

The metal finishing chemicals market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.67 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to various factors, including increased applications in aerospace, consumer goods, healthcare equipment, additive manufacturing, and space exploration. Major trends during this period include advancements in corrosion protection, the adoption of green technologies, the electrification of vehicles, the development of advanced alloys, and progress in microelectronics and nanotechnology.

The anticipated increase in global automobile sales is poised to be a driving force behind the growth of the metal-finishing chemicals market. This surge in automobile sales is attributed to rapid urbanization and the expanding presence of global auto manufacturers in developing nations. Various metal coatings, including zinc and nickel, are employed in finishing automobile parts, providing corrosion resistance and preventing friction between components. U.S. News & World Report reported a 3.4% increase in the sale of new automobiles in the USA in 2021, surpassing 15 million units. Consequently, the heightened sales of automobiles are expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the metal finishing chemicals market.

The increasing production of electronics is set to propel the growth of the metal-finishing chemicals market in the foreseeable future. Electronics, focusing on the design of circuits using transistors and microchips and the behavior of electrons in various mediums, relies on metal finishing chemicals to enhance the durability, conductivity, and solderability of electronic components. According to Electronics Weekly, electronic production in the U.S. witnessed over an 8% increase in November 2020 and further grew by 8.7% in January 2021. Additionally, South Korea experienced a 12% rise in electronic production in January 2021. Hence, the upswing in electronics production is a key driver for the growth of the metal-finishing chemicals market.

A prominent trend in the metal finishing chemicals sector is the focus on product innovations. Companies within this industry are introducing improved versions of existing products to enhance their capabilities, ensuring they remain competitive in the market. For example, in December 2021, SIFCO ASC launched Encapsulated Plating, a novel electroplating technique that combines the strengths of previous processes to provide a long-term solution for plating complex components, minimizing masking requirements, reducing waste, and maintaining a swift plating rate.

Major players in the metal finishing chemicals market are introducing new systems, exemplified by the Atotech CMA Closed-Loop System, to drive sustainability in the zinc-nickel plating sector. The Atotech CMA Closed-Loop System, unveiled by MKS Instruments in July 2023, is designed to significantly reduce water consumption, waste, wastewater, and carbon emissions in alkaline zinc nickel plating. Certified by TÜV Rheinland, this technology integrates compact membrane anodes, special chemical additives, a vacuum evaporator, and a freezing unit, thereby enhancing product quality, extending the lifespan of electroplating lines, and minimizing environmental impact.

In September 2021, Element Solutions Inc., a diversified specialty chemicals company, acquired Coventya Holding SAS, a move aligned with Element's strategic focus on continuous investment in technology and innovation. This acquisition further strengthened Element's position in developing sustainable solutions for surface finishing applications across various industries such as construction, automotive, industrial, consumer goods, and electronics. Coventya Holding SAS, based in France, is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty chemicals for the surface finishing industry.

Major companies operating in the metal finishing chemicals market include McGean-Rocho Inc., Atotech Deutschland GmbH, Advanced Chemical Company, Asterion LLC, Quaker Houghton Corporation, A Brite Company, DOW Chemicals, Coral Chemical Company, Elementis PLC, Raschig GmbH, Chemetall GmbH, Coventya Chemical Company, Platform Specialty Products Corporation, BASF SE, Element Solutions Inc., Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, C. Uyemura & Co. Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Linde PLC, OC Oerlikon Management AG, Sequa GmbH, Houghton InternationalIInc., Interplex Holdings Pte. Ltd., Kuntz Electroplating Inc., Pioneer Metal Finishing Inc., Roy Metal Finishing Inc., Bajaj Electroplaters Pvt. Ltd., MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions, Pavco Inc., Technic Inc.

North America was the largest region in the metal finishing chemicals market in 2023. The Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the metal finishing chemicals market research report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the metal finishing chemicals market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.

The metal finishing chemicals market consists of sales of metal finishing chemical products such as nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.