Umicore Electroplating welcomed a delegation from Japan to its site in Schwaebisch Gmuend. The group, consisting of prominent executives and decision-makers from Japan’s electroplating and surface technology industry, visited the company as part of a multi-day trip to Germany aimed at fostering economic and technical exchange, as well as building and expanding international business relationships.
Valterra Platinum and Umicore’s Business Unit Metal Deposition Solutions (MDS) have entered a multi year R&D and commercialisation partnership focused on developing platinum group metal (PGM) solutions for industrial applications of electroplating. The collaboration will help develop new opportunities for PGMs, supporting long term market development beyond the automotive sector
Last Friday, in beautiful summer weather, Umicore Electroplating invited its employees at the Schwäbisch Gmünd site to a company barbecue. The barbecue is an integral part of life at the site and underscores the importance of appreciation, team spirit, and personal interaction at Umicore in Schwäbisch Gmünd.
A guided tour of Lhyfe in the Gügling district of Schwäbisch Gmünd, organized by Umicore Electroplating for its employees, was very well received. During the tour, participants gained a firsthand look at an industrial-scale electrolyzer and thus at a technology that plays a key role in the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy.
Umicore’s Metal Deposition Solutions business unit is expanding its portfolio to include electroforming as a service and plans to expand its infrastructure for future mass production. The rollout is intended for manufacturers of decorative precious metal applications. The goal is to provide access to cost-effective manufacturing of electroformed precious metal components.
Umicore MDS, the exclusive European distributor for the Japanese plating specialist Uyemura, has successfully installed the advanced Thru-Cup® EVF-YF9 copper process for plating blind vias (blind holes) at the high-tech PCB manufacturer Hi-Tech Corporation in North Macedonia.
Umicore is expanding its hard gold portfolio with the sustainable high-speed electrolyte AURUNA® 8000, which offers high deposition rates, excellent layer properties and replaces cobalt- and nickel-containing processes. AURUNA® 8000 enables efficient, environmentally friendly production in high-speed systems.
Event date 28 October 2026 10:00 – 14:00
Location fem Forschungsinstitut, Katharinenstraße 13-17, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd
Event date 11 November 2026 – 13 November 2026
Location Area A, China Import and Export Fair Complex 382 Yuejiang Middle Rd, Haizhu District Guangzhou
Event date 24 November 2027 – 25 November 2027
Location 73525, Schwaebisch Gmuend
