A new strategic alliance between Chemeon and SurTec is poised to reshape how surface finishing technologies are delivered, supported, and advanced across global markets.
Dr. Madylon MeilingBuilt on complementary strengths, shared philosophies, and a mutual commitment to sustainability, the partnership represents a significant step forward for an industry navigating increasing regulatory pressure and technical complexity.
At its core, the collaboration brings together Chemeon’s strong North American presence and innovation in trivalent conversion coatings with SurTec’s expansive global infrastructure and decades of expertise in surface treatment chemistries.
According to Dr. Karsten Grünke, CEO of SurTec, the decision to partner was both strategic and practical.
“We are quite strong in Europe and Asia,” Grünke says. “But when you look at the market potential, we are underrepresented in the U.S. market. We were looking for a partner that could help us better access and serve that market, and Chemeon was a natural fit.”
A Complementary Fit Across Regions and Technologies
Karsten GrünkeFor SurTec, the U.S.—particularly the West Coast—has long represented an untapped opportunity. With a significant portion of finishing activity concentrated in that region, the need for localized technical support and infrastructure became increasingly clear.
“Servicing customers from Ohio to the West Coast is difficult,” Grünke says. “Having a capable partner with a well-equipped technical center close to those customers is extremely important.”
That partner is Chemeon, headquartered in Nevada, whose Center of Technical Excellence has become a hub for innovation in MIL-DTL-qualified conversion coatings and advanced anodizing chemistries.
Dr. Madylon Meiling, CEO of Chemeon, emphasized the synergy.
“Regionally and operationally, we create the perfect team,” she says. “We’ve built a strong position in North America, particularly on the West Coast, while SurTec brings a global infrastructure with more than 22 subsidiaries and deep reach in Europe and Asia.”
Beyond geography, both companies share a long-standing commitment to environmentally responsible technologies—particularly in developing and commercializing trivalent chromium solutions.
United by a Sustainable Vision
Chemeon headquarters in North America.Both Chemeon and SurTec are pioneers in the transition away from hexavalent chrome, a substance facing increasing regulatory restrictions worldwide. Each company has independently contributed to advancing trivalent chromium technologies, and now, through their alliance, they aim to accelerate global adoption.
Chemeon’s flagship innovation, eTCP, represents a major leap forward in conversion coating technology.
“It’s a MIL-DTL-qualified trivalent chromium conversion with a signature purple/violet color indicator,” says Meiling. “That visual confirmation is a game-changer—it tells operators instantly that the coating has been properly applied.”
SurTec, meanwhile, has built a global reputation around its 650 series of trivalent chemistries.
“It’s a product line that’s more than 25 years old and still growing by double digits every year,” Grünke says. “With new developments in mobility and battery technologies, we continue to find new applications.”
Together, these technologies position the alliance at the forefront of sustainable surface finishing solutions.
“I don’t think anyone else can compete with us on the technology side,” Grünke says.
Expanding Value for End Users
SurTec headquarters in Europe.While the strategic rationale is clear, both CEOs emphasize that the ultimate beneficiaries of the alliance are the customers—OEMs, Tier suppliers, job shops, and captive operations.
“The benefit to our customers is the most significant value of our alliance,” Meiling says. “We are providing seamless access to a significantly wider selection of best-in-class, eco-friendly surface-finishing solutions.”
For Chemeon customers in North America, that means access to SurTec’s extensive portfolio, including alkaline zinc, zinc-nickel, decorative chrome plating, cleaning, and metal pretreatment technologies. Conversely, SurTec’s global customers will gain easier access to Chemeon’s patented eTCP systems, field repair kits, and specialized analytical tools.
“It’s a broader portfolio with the same high level of technical service,” Grünke explained. “Customers can now get more solutions from a single, highly capable partnership.”
Knowledge as a Competitive Advantage
In an era where technical expertise is becoming increasingly scarce in plating shops, the alliance places a strong emphasis on education, training, and hands-on support.
“Customers today are not just buying products—they’re buying solutions,” Grünke says. “They need partners who can help them troubleshoot, adapt processes, and implement new technologies.”
This aligns closely with findings from industry surveys, in which knowledge and technical support consistently rank among the top factors influencing supplier decisions.
"With SurTec’s experience in Europe and Asia, combined with Chemeon’s strong North American presence, we can offer more robust, localized support. We’re helping customers navigate this transition with confidence.”
Both companies have long invested in training programs, and the alliance will expand those efforts through joint initiatives. Chemeon’s conversion-coating classes and SurTec’s process-applicator certification programs will now be integrated to provide a more comprehensive learning experience.
“We’re already cross-training our teams in Nevada, Ohio, and Germany,” Meiling says. “Our goal is to ensure that every technical sales and field engineer understands the full portfolio and can recommend the best solution for each customer’s needs.”
Accelerating the Transition to Trivalent Technologies
One of the most critical challenges facing the industry is the transition from hexavalent to trivalent chromium processes. While Europe has made significant progress, the U.S. market has been slower to adopt these alternatives.
“The industry is somewhat conservative,” Grünke says. “Even when customers are convinced it’s the right direction, they hesitate because they’re unsure how it will perform in practice.”
This is where the alliance aims to make a tangible difference—by providing the on-site support, technical expertise, and proven solutions needed to ease that transition.
“With SurTec’s experience in Europe and Asia, combined with Chemeon’s strong North American presence, we can offer more robust, localized support,” Meiling says. “We’re helping customers navigate this transition with confidence.”
Building Toward a Collaborative Future
While the alliance's initial focus is on sales, service, and technical integration, both companies see significant opportunities for future collaboration in research and development.
SurTec has long maintained central R&D hubs in Germany and China, but the partnership introduces a new dimension: a dedicated innovation presence in the U.S.
“With Chemeon’s facility in Nevada, we now have the opportunity to develop products specifically tailored to North American market needs,” Grünke says. “This could become our third global R&D hub.”
“Increasing technical complexity and regulatory pressure are not going away. But with this alliance, we are better equipped than ever to help our customers succeed.”
Meiling echoed that vision, highlighting plans for joint development of next-generation surface treatments and increased coordination in marketing and industry outreach.
“We are aligning our efforts to present a unified voice,” she says. “Together, we can drive innovation in corrosion protection and sustainable surface technologies.”
Trust as the Foundation
Beyond strategy and technology, both leaders point to a less tangible—but equally critical—factor behind the alliance’s formation: trust.
“You can do all the research you want on paper,” Grünke says. “But in the end, you have to meet the people and understand whether you share the same mindset.”
That alignment was evident from the earliest meetings.
“When we met in person, we immediately saw the potential,” Meiling recalled. “There was mutual respect, shared values, and a genuine commitment to our customers’ success.”
A “Power-of-Two” Partnership
As the alliance moves forward, it represents what many in the industry are calling a “power-of-two” model—combining strengths to deliver greater value than either company could achieve alone.
From expanded product offerings and global reach to enhanced technical support and accelerated innovation, the Chemeon-SurTec partnership is designed to address the evolving needs of the surface finishing industry.
“Increasing technical complexity and regulatory pressure are not going away,” Meiling says. “But with this alliance, we are better equipped than ever to help our customers succeed.”
For an industry in transition, that combination of capability, collaboration, and commitment may prove to be a decisive advantage.
Visit www.Chemeon.com and www.SurTec.com.
