Driving Sustainable Innovation in Plastic Metallization – A Transformation Story from Anderstorp
The surface quality of finished parts is assessed in quality control.
Text: Eric Nilsson, Provexa Plating Images: Provexa Plating
In southern Sweden, in the heart of the plastics cluster of Småland, Provexa Plating on Plastic is undergoing a transformation. At our facility in Anderstorp, we have been plating plastic components with metals for decades—delivering functional, decorative, and OEM-approved surfaces to some of Europe’s most demanding industries. But as regulations, customer expectations, and material demands evolve, so do we. A commitment to sustainability In recent years, Provexa has made substantial investments to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact at our site. This includes: optimized ventilation, reduced electricity use, smarter water and chemical management. One example is our complete transition from natural gas to electricity, which has improved energy efficiency and reduced local emissions. We have also implemented digital software tools to monitor and analyze our plating baths and critical process parameters. This allows us to maintain consistently high product quality while reducing chemical consumption and minimizing waste. These efforts are part of our long-term vision: to future-proof our operations while offering sustainable solutions to our partners in the plastic industry. Phasing out hexavalent chromium One of the biggest challenges in plastic metallization today is the use of hexavalent chromium (Cr6) in the etching and activation processes. At Provexa, we have already eliminated Cr6 from
our top layer, switching to a trivalent chromium (Cr3) process that offers excellent aesthetics and durability with significantly reduced environmental impact. We are now focused on removing Cr6 entirely from the pretreatment stage, and we are making strong progress. Through a combination of lab validation, pilot-scale runs, and collaboration with chemical suppliers and OEMs, our goal is to offer a fully Cr6-free metallization process at industrial scale, without compromising on appearance, adhesion, or performance. For customers aiming to match the characteristic look of Cr6 finishes, we offer support through surface analysis, color- matching trials, and visual benchmarking. From lab to line – Proven R&D for the Plastic industry At Provexa Plating on Plastic, in-house research is not a side project—it’s a core part of how we develop sustainable, scalable,
Production is always planned closely with the customer.
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