Plating on Plastics Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Rising Demand for Electronics - Plastic surfaces that are not electrically conductive can be made conductive through plating, which makes them a great option for electronic connectors and components.
• Growing Production of Oil- In the oil and gas sector, electroless nickel plating, or ENP, is another widely used metal finishing method since every phase of the distribution and production of oil and gas calls for robust parts that can survive the most challenging operating conditions. For instance, in 2022, the world's crude oil output increased by over 4%.
• Increasing Usage in the Construction Industry- Plated plastics are used in plumbing fixtures to withstand corrosion, and are also lighter, and stronger than other plastics they have also been discovered to be perfect for sanitary fittings.
• Surging Importance of Aesthetics- The addition of metal to a plastic base has significant aesthetic benefits, as through plating on plastics procedure, the advantages of metal and plastic materials are combined to provide improved conductivity, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Challenges

• Environmental Concerns - Owing to the nature of plastic, electroplating onto it might be difficult since chemicals dissolved from plastics into the air and water are posing an increasing threat to the environment, can harm marine life via ingestion, suffocation, and other means, and have the potential to enter the human body through the food chain and endanger human health. As carbon-based substances, plastics contain several hazardous ingredients that can be detrimental to the environment and the general public's health, such as phthalates, polyfluorinated chemicals, bisphenol-A, brominated flame retardants, and antimony trioxide, which can adversely affect the environment.
• Stringent regulatory requirements related to environmental protection can increase the overall cost
• Varying prices of metal can cause supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations