What Hardide Coatings does

Hardide Coatings plc (AIM: HDD), founded in 2000 and listed on London's AIM market in 2005, is a UK-based industrial coatings company that develops and applies proprietary low-temperature Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) tungsten carbide/tungsten metal matrix composite coatings. Its four core product variants — Hardide-A (aerospace-grade REACH-compliant hard chrome replacement), Hardide-T (high-toughness erosion-resistant), Hardide-D (adhesive coating for TSP diamond drilling) and Hardide-W (acid-resistant cadmium replacement) — address wear, erosion, corrosion, galling and fatigue on metal components, and uniquely coat internal surfaces and complex geometries with 100% uniform coverage where spray and plate processes cannot reach. The company is qualified into aerospace, defence, nuclear and oil & gas supply chains (AS9100D, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, NADCAP Gold Merit) with approved customer logos including Airbus, BAE Systems, Leonardo Helicopters, Lockheed Martin, EDF Energy, Weatherford, Royal Mail and DeltaTek.

Hardide generates revenue by accepting customer components at its Bicester, UK headquarters and Martinsville, Virginia, USA manufacturing facility, applying the CVD coating and ancillary surface-treatment services (cleaning, passivation, Woods Nickel Strike, electroless nickel plating, electropolishing and accredited laboratory testing), then returning finished parts. Pricing is quote-based and varies by component complexity, coating type and thickness. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales with deep technical partnership; the company co-engineers coating parameters with each customer's component stresses and geometries. Vertical segmentation is dominated by oil & gas/energy and aerospace & defence, with nuclear, flow control/valves, power generation and precision engineering as secondary segments.

Operationally, Hardide is in an inflection phase: FY2025 revenue rose 30% with a 50% gross profit jump, H1 2026 grew over 50%, and FY2026 revenue is forecast at £8–9m with £1.1m pre-tax profit guidance following a £2.4m North American energy order. New CEO Matthew Hamblin (appointed June 2024, ex-Keronite CEO sold to Curtiss-Wright) is leading a more aggressive commercial push, and a July 2026 capital reduction will create approximately £3.2m of distributable reserves to fund share-based incentive plans and provide flexibility for future shareholder returns.

Name

Hardide Coatings

Legal name

Hardide plc

Website

https://hardide.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hardide Coatings plc is a UK-based AIM-listed industrial coatings company that applies proprietary low-temperature CVD tungsten carbide coatings to extend the life of metal components in aerospace, defence, oil & gas, nuclear and precision engineering, uniquely coating complex internal geometries that conventional spray or plate processes cannot reach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Surface Coatings

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (33281), Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Protective Coatings (Steel/Concrete/Equipment) (IMAIAKAB), Specialty & Functional Coatings (Anti-microbial/Anti-slip/Insulating) (IMAIAKAM), Industrial Protective Coatings (IMADAKAB)

Keywords

• CVD tungsten carbide coatings
• Hard chrome replacement coatings
• Wear resistant coatings
• Industrial surface treatments
• Chemical vapour deposition services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CVD Coating Services: Hardide provides CVD coating services applied to customer components. Revenue is generated through coating application fees based on component complexity, coating type, and thickness requirements. The company manages the full coating process from surface preparation through post-coat finishing. Additional revenue streams include surface treatment services (cleaning, passivation, nickel strike, electropolishing) and laboratory testing services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hardide Coatings develops and applies proprietary low-temperature Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) tungsten carbide/tungsten metal matrix composite coatings onto customer-supplied industrial components. Its core offerings are four coating variants (Hardide-A, -T, -D, -W) that coat internal surfaces, complex geometries and intricate shapes with uniform thickness, complemented by pre- and post-coating services such as parts cleaning, passivation, electroless nickel plating, electropolishing and accredited laboratory testing.

Product overview

Hardide Coatings offers a portfolio of advanced tungsten carbide/tungsten metal matrix composite CVD coatings delivered through a proprietary low-temperature Chemical Vapour Deposition process. The core product line includes four main coating variants: Hardide-A (aerospace-grade hard chrome replacement), Hardide-T (tough, impact-resistant for abrasive environments), Hardide-D (for TSP diamond applications), and Hardide-W (acid-resistant alloyed tungsten for specialized applications). These coatings are complemented by a comprehensive suite of surface treatment services including parts cleaning and degreasing, acid passivation, Woods Nickel Strike pre-treatment, electroless nickel plating, electropolishing, and NADCAP/AS9100-accredited laboratory testing services. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Oxfordshire, UK and Virginia, USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hardide-A Coating REACH-compliant hard chrome replacement coating for aerospace applications, matching hard chrome plating in thickness (50-100 microns) and hardness (800-1200 Hv) while delivering superior corrosion, fatigue (+4.5%), wear and galling performance. Used on landing gear, actuators, hydraulic cylinders, door components, bearings and gearbox shafts.
• Hardide-T Coating Tough, ductile and impact-resistant CVD coating engineered for extremely abrasive and erosive heavy-duty applications including downhole tools, valves, flow control components, pumps, and sealing surfaces. Microhardness 1100-1600 Hv, typically 50-100 microns thick; 7x lower erosion than HVOF and 125x lower than stainless steel.
• Hardide-D Coating Innovative pore-free tungsten carbide-based adhesive coating for TSP (thermally stable polycrystalline) diamond substrates. Chemically bonds to diamond with good brazing-alloy wettability, used in horizontal/directional drilling, mining and mineral extraction applications.
• Hardide-W Coating Acid-resistant, low-hardness (400-500 Hv) ultra-thick coating of high-purity metal tungsten with small alloying additions, 5-100 microns thick. REACH-compliant replacement for cadmium plating, used in aerospace and semiconductor engineering applications requiring enhanced chemical resistance and ductility.
• Parts Cleaning and Degreasing Pre-treatment surface preparation service using electrolytic alkaline cleaning and perchloroethylene vapour degreasing to ensure optimal coating adhesion and reliable in-service performance for complex customer components.
• Acid Passivation Industry-grade passivation service that promotes a uniform oxide layer for enhanced corrosion resistance, compatible with a wide range of material grades and complex geometries.
• Woods Nickel Strike Pre-treatment plating service that forms a thin, tightly controlled nickel layer to activate passive metal surfaces, particularly stainless steels, for reliable downstream coating adhesion.
• Electroless Nickel Plating (ENP) Autocatalytic nickel-phosphorus alloy plating service providing even, conformal coating across entire part surfaces including external, internal and intricately shaped areas, with high-, medium- and low-phosphorus variants.
• Electropolishing Precision electrochemical polishing service that removes controlled surface material to eliminate embedded contaminants, burrs, micro-cracks and high points, producing a smooth, ultra-clean surface finish for enhanced corrosion protection and superior sealing performance.
• Laboratory Services Accredited testing and analysis services including metallography, SEM/EDX analysis, XRF, optical microscopy, Vickers microhardness testing, surface roughness measurement and corrosion/environmental testing (salt spray, ASTM B117, ISO 9227).

Quantifiable outcome

• 5x more wear resistant than HVOF WC/Co coatings under ASTM G65 testing
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered supporting.

• Blake Morgan LLPsupportingOthersLegal advisers to the company. Located at New Kings Court, Tollgate, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO53 3LG.
• Share Registrars LimitedsupportingOthersShare registrars managing the company's share register and shareholder services. Located at 3 The Millenium Centre, Crosby Way, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7XX.
• Cranfield UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership where Dr Yuri Zhuk serves as Visiting Fellow and Recognised Teacher at the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing. Collaborative research and knowledge exchange in advanced coatings and surface engineering.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bodycote: Global leader in thermal processing and surface coating services for aerospace, automotive, and energy customers. Bodycote offers heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing, and a range of surface coatings via methods including CVD, PVD, and diffusion treatments, making it the closest broad comparable in coating services breadth, scale, and end-market exposure.
• Oerlikon Balzers: Part of Oerlikon, a global PVD and CVD coating service provider serving aerospace, automotive, tooling, and industrial markets. Operates a large global network of coating centres, comparable to Hardide's aerospace and precision engineering customer focus but at significantly greater scale and with broader coating technology portfolio.
• Praxair Surface Technologies (Linde): Now part of Linde, this is one of the largest global thermal spray coating service businesses, providing HVOF, plasma, and flame spray coatings for aerospace, power generation, and industrial markets. Directly comparable in protective coating application technology (especially HVOF) and end-market focus, though at vastly greater scale.
• Höganäs (Surface & Joining Technologies): Global metal powder and surface coating technology company offering thermal spray powders and coating solutions for automotive, aerospace, and industrial wear protection. Comparable as a competing supplier into Hardide's customer applications through alternative coating technologies and material systems.
• Chromalloy: Major provider of advanced coatings, repairs, and engineered component solutions for aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets. Comparable end-market overlap (aerospace engines, industrial turbines) and overlapping coating/repair service offerings; significantly larger scale and broader capability portfolio.
• Voestalpine eifeler Coatings: Part of Voestalpine, offering PVD and CVD coatings including nitrides, carbides, and oxides for tooling, automotive, and aerospace applications. Competes with Hardide's CVD tungsten carbide technology through alternative PVD/CVD nitride and carbide coating solutions at industrial scale.

Direct peers

• Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies (formerly Keronite): Curtiss-Wright acquired Keronite (Hardide CEO Matthew Hamblin's prior company) in 2022. Keronite specialised in plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings; together with Curtiss-Wright's broader thermal spray and surface treatment portfolio it directly overlaps Hardide's advanced protective coatings offering for aerospace and industrial markets.
• Poeton Industries: UK-based specialist surface coatings company offering a range of industrial coatings including hard chrome, electroless nickel, and specialised treatments for aerospace, defence, and industrial customers. Comparable UK competitor with similar end-market mix and product overlap in protective and functional coatings.
• ASB Industries: US-based thermal spray and hard face coating service provider serving aerospace, oil & gas, and industrial customers with HVOF, plasma, and flame spray technologies. Directly comparable in oil & gas and aerospace coating service offerings; overlaps with Hardide's primary verticals but uses competing deposition technologies.

Regional players

• Wallwork Heat Treatment: UK-based thermal processing and coatings provider offering heat treatment, nitrocarburising, and various surface coatings serving aerospace, motorsport, oil & gas, and general industrial customers. Comparable UK-based regional player with overlapping service portfolio and similar customer verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hardide-coatings

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hardide Coatings