Reducing operational costs, environmental impact via rigorous plating/finishing analysis

In conclusion, there is often a large opportunity for plating industries to reduce their costs, minimize their environmental footprint and remain competitive in their sector by various relatively simple and sometimes low-cost process changes. By developing a baseline for the energy use, chemical use, and water use for the process, a list of priority focus areas will be determined and the opportunities for cost savings will become evident. In regards to the finishing line, an essential first step is to develop a set of best practices for rinsing and rinse control for water use optimization, along with good process control for the acids and alkaline cleaners. By understanding the overall detailed costs of the metal finishing process, decisions can be made to determine where the major opportunities are and implement changes that financially benefit the bottom line.