Electroplating Work Group

AIAG’s Electroplating Work Group — comprised of multiple industry stakeholders, including OEMs, electroplating applicators, and electroplating chemical suppliers — serves as a forum to address key drivers and challenges in transitioning to hexavalent chromium-free and PFAS-free processes for manufacturing decorative and functional electroplated components for automotive OEMs. 

Key objectives include the technical development of new process chemistries, addressing operational aspects of the industry transformation, and exploring ways to expedite a smooth transition to these new technologies while maintaining optimum quality and uninterrupted supply. 

In the automotive industry, electroplating — a process in which a thin layer of metal is deposited onto a surface using an electric current — is widely used to enhance durability, prevent corrosion, and provide a polished, high-quality finish on various components.

While hexavalent chromium has traditionally been the preferred plating material for its hardness and wear resistance, environmental and health concerns due to its classification as a carcinogen have driven increased regulatory pressure to transition to trivalent chromium, a safer alternative.

Governments worldwide, including agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have imposed stricter emissions standards and workplace safety regulations to limit exposure to hexavalent chromium, pushing manufacturers toward adopting trivalent chrome plating for a more sustainable and compliant future. This shift is vital for meeting environmental requirements while maintaining the performance and aesthetics expected in automotive finishes.