Electropoli - metal surface treatments and finishing technologies
Electropoli - metal surface treatments and finishing technologies
Electropoli - metal surface treatments and finishing technologies

R & D

A R&D center at the service of industrial performance, technologic innovation and sustainable responsibility with 31 patents/trademarks filed since 1992.

Denis Morice, senior expert in custom surface treatment and co-engineering at Electropoli

« Useful innovation, sustainable industrialization.

Our ambition is to combine industrial performance, technological innovation, and environmental responsibility. We transform your needs into robust, scientifically validated solutions, which are then transferred into production at our European sites.

Our priorities: high performance, energy efficiency, replacement of CMR substances, and REACH anticipation.

Together with our customers and partners, we are designing today the surface treatments of tomorrow. »

Denis MORICE
Group R&D Director

A structured method, from the laboratory to industrial transfer

Our approach covers initial scoping, laboratory testing, formulation, corrosion testing, feasibility validation, pilot lines, and finally, on-site transfer.

This approach guarantees reproducibility, risk control, and reliable deployment across multiple plants when necessary.

 

An integrated R&D center dedicated to industrial performance

Based in France and accredited by the Research Tax Credit (CIR), our Electro-Research center brings together engineers, doctors of chemistry, technicians, and specialized students.

With the support of our factories, they develop new baths, optimize existing processes, and support large-scale industrialization.

Our analytical resources guarantee the quality and reliability of results:

Advanced analyses: ICP, chromatography, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy.

Multiple cyclic corrosion tests: salt spray (SS), CASS, ECC1.

Physical measurements: thickness, adhesion, internal stresses…

Pilot lines for technical validation prior to industrial deployment.

 

Our key areas of expertise

We focus our efforts on the major challenges facing the industry:

· Developing solutions that comply with new regulations (REACH, PFAS, RoHS).

· Design of low-emission processes optimized for energy and water consumption.

· Substitution of hexavalent chromium and CMR substances.

· Treatments adapted to materials of the future: light alloys, batteries, magnets, electric mobility devices.

We create now the future of surface treatments

Our project portfolio covers industrial and academic partnerships, with 31 patents already filed since 1992.

Timeline Slider Fixe

2019-2027

Nickel free surface treatment


Zn high % Fe deposition vs Zn Ni coating with the dame performances.
Target: Anticipate possible future regulation compliance vs Nickel.
Partnership : IRT Zephyr, Airbus, Nexter, Aerospace

2020-2028

Ecological surface treatment for bushes anti-vibration market


Zn + Polymer deposition vs Zn Ni coating.
Target: Cost savings & Adhesion and anticorrosion enhancement vs traditional ZnNi coating
Electropoli R&D, UTINAM Besançon

2024-2028

Environmentally friendly Processes


Target: Zero reject approach CO2 neutral. Electropoli R&D

2022-2027

Surface treatment for new magnets


(with less rare earth elements)
Target: Environmental & Cost savings. Anticorrosion plating on Magnets.
Partnership : CEA, Orano

2026

Surface treatment for new electrical battery pack


(Next generation)
Target: Electrical conductivity and/or insulation - Adhesion enghancement Fire retardancy.
Electropoli R&D

2024-2027

Hard Trivalent Chromium


Target: Avoiding use of hexavalent chromium Partnership : IRT Neptune

Proven expertise in the field :

  • More than 70 years of experience in surface treatments.
  • 31 patents/registered trademarks.
  • International presence: France, Poland, Czech Republic, China.
  • Complete management of your projects: from idea to series delivery.

Tailor made services

Collaborative developement


At Electropoli, we design tailor-made surface treatment solutions in close collaborations with our customers.
Our ambition is to create sustainable, innovative processes that meet the technical and envrionmental requirements of each application – automotive, aeronautics, defense, and beyond.

From idea to industrialization


From analysis of specific needs to industrial validation, Electropoli adapts products and processes – preparation, treatments, finishing – to your parts from the design phase.
Prototyping, pre-series testing, co-engineering, and dedicated tooling ensure a complete, reliable industrialization process.

concrete examples of
developments

Electropoli industrializes a customized surface treatment solution for large electric battery components


 

Electropoli industrialises a customised surface treatment solution for coupling drill pipe sleeves


 

Denis Morice, senior expert in custom surface treatment and co-engineering at Electropoli

Do you have a project?
An idea to develop?
A specific need to be validated?

LET’S TALK TOGETHER.
+33 (0)6 87 80 43 26

By collaborating with Electropoli, which is CIR approved, your R&D projects can benefit from a 30% tax credit.

Electropoli industrializes a customized surface treatment solution for large electric battery components

Customer need

Ensure the industrial processing of large electric battery components, combining high productionvolumesdemanding quality standards, and environmental compliance, through a dedicated surfacetreatment line.

Electropoli setup​

Electropoli conducted an in-depth analysis of the technical, logistical and industrial requirements, leading to the design of a tailor-made surface treatment line adapted to large electric battery components.​

The solution consists of two interconnected, fully automated processing lines combining zinc-nickel and cataphoretic (E-coat) coatings, operating in tandem to ensure consistent and controlled surface treatment at industrial scale.​

Following client approval, the dedicated line was assembled and industrialized at our Nowa Sól site in Poland, enabling stable high-volume production under demanding quality and environmental requirements.

Achievement

  • Stable high-volume output, supported by adedicated and fully automated surface treatmentline designed for large components.
  • Consistent quality performance at industrial scale,ensuring repeatability across high productionvolumes.
  • Reduced environmental footprint, achievedthrough heat recovery systems, recycling loopsand reduced water consumption.
  • Compliance with future regulatory requirements,through the use of chemical components alignedwith upcoming standards.
  • Full traceability and process monitoring, enabledby onboard sensors supporting quality control andsmart preventive maintenance.
KUKA industrial robot arm automating the handling process on the surface treatment line

Behind this achievement are dedicated engineers, technicians, automation specialists, andoperators.

Our goal: to combine industrial excellence, technical innovation, and respect for the environment.

This module is now a showcase of what we can offer our customers facing complex and specificchallenges.

KUKA industrial robot arm automating the handling process on the surface treatment line
KUKA industrial robot arm automating the handling process on the surface treatment line

Electropoli industrialises a customised surfacetreatment solution for coupling drill pipe sleeves

Customer need

Develop a surface treatment solutionfor coupling tubular sleeves withinternal female threads. Thecomponents must withstand at leastfive tightening and loosening cycleswithout losing their mechanicalcoupling and anticorrosion properties.The treatment must be applied to theinside of the threaded tubular parts(approximately 400 mm long, variousdiameters), while preserving theintegrity of the surface anddimensional accuracy.

Electropoli setup

Electropoli conducted a one-year R&D program to develop a ternary alloy coating aligned with the customer’s functional requirements.

After customer validation, a dedicated and scalable surface treatment line was designed and fully industrialized. The line was engineered to process around ten different references and three base materials, requiring adapted pre-treatment sequences.

Specific control solutions were implemented to treat and inspect internal female threads, including 90° probe-based inspection systems.

Achievement

  • Successful commissioning and operation of thededicated surface treatment line, fullycompliant with the customer specifications.
  • Five years after start-up, technical and industrialupgrades enabled the integration of a secondcoating process (binary alloy treatment) on thesame line, ensuring long-term adaptability andcustomer satisfaction.