Schlotter

Name

Schlotter

Legal name

Dr.-Ing. Max Schlötter GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://schloetter.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electroplating (galvanotechnics) specialty chemicals and plant engineering

NAICS

Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring (332813), Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Electroplating & Metallization Chemicals (Cu/Ni/Au plating, additives) (IMAEAKAK)

Keywords

• Electroplating chemicals
• Galvanic surface coatings
• Electrolytes and plating baths
• Plant engineering
• Printed circuit board metallization

Headquarters

HQ city

Geislingen An Der Steige

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Galvanochemistry Products: Sale of approximately 1,000 specialized galvanotechnics chemicals including electrolytes for copper, nickel, chrome, silver, gold, zinc, zinc alloys, tin, tin alloys, electroless nickel, and associated pre-treatment and post-treatment chemicals. Covers ~330 wet-chemical products. Approximately 40% of chemistry business revenue comes from exports.
2. Plant Engineering and Equipment: Design, construction, and modernization of galvanizing and surface treatment plants including rack plants, tumbling plants, manual plants, electroplating plants, anodizing plants, cleaning and pickling plants, chemical plants, PCB plants, and plastics galvanizing plants. The Swedish subsidiary handles plant engineering inquiries.
3. Technical Service and Support: Comprehensive service including laboratory analysis of customer baths, technical documentation, customer training at the Geislingen facility, technical field service for on-site support, maintenance and repair of Schlötter plants, spare parts service, and control adjustments for SLOTRONIC systems.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Schlötter develops, manufactures, and sells proprietary electroplating (galvanotechnics) chemistry — approximately 1,000 specialized chemicals organized into branded process lines for copper, nickel, chrome, silver, gold, zinc, tin, and alloy plating — together with associated plant engineering, the SLOTRONIC plant control system, and technical services (lab analysis, training, on-site field service, and maintenance) for industrial surface-finishing customers worldwide.

Product overview

Schlötter is a specialist company for electroplating (galvanotechnik) offering a comprehensive portfolio of wet-chemical processes and plant engineering. The core offering includes over 330 wet-chemical products organized into distinct process brands: SLOTOCLEAN (pre-treatment), SLOTOSTRIP (stripping), SLOTOCOUP (copper plating), SLOTONIK (nickel plating), SLOTOCHROM (chrome plating), SLOTOSIL (silver plating), SLOTOGOLD (gold plating), SLOTANIT/ZINCASLOT (zinc plating), SLOTOLOY (zinc and tin alloys), SLOTOTIN (tin plating), SLOTOPAS (passivations), SLOTOFIN (sealants), SLOTONIP (electroless nickel), SLOTOSIT (plastics metallization and PCB direct metallization), and SLOTODIP (hot-dip galvanizing pretreatment). The company also offers SLOTRONIC, a plant control system with over 700 installations. Process chemicals offered number approximately 1,000 different specialized galvanotechnics chemicals, with about 95% from their own R&D. The company provides complete system solutions combining chemistry, plant technology, and service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SLOTOSIT: Processes for metallization of plastics and non-conductors including SLOTOSIT KM for special plastics and SLOTOSIT PCB for printed circuit boards using graphite
• SLOTODIP
• SLOTONIK
• SLOTOCHROM
• SLOTOSIL
• SLOTOGOLD
• ZINCASLOT / SLOTANIT
• SLOTOTIN
• SLOTOLOY
• SLOTOCOUP
• SLOTONIP
• SLOTOCLEAN
• SLOTOSTRIP
• SLOTOPAS
• SLOTOFIN
• SLOTRONIC
• CULMO
• SLOTOSON
• KADIZID

Products and services

• SLOTOCOUP (Copper Plating Process Line) Full range of copper plating electrolytes for decorative applications and for the PCB/electronics industry, including cyanide and cyanide-free pre-copper, bright copper systems for plastics, and BV/TH filling and superfilling processes for blind microvias and through-holes.
• SLOTONIK (Nickel Plating Process Line) Bright nickel and nickel strike electrolytes for decorative and technical applications, including drum and rack variants with good leveling and ductility.
• SLOTOCHROM (Chrome Plating Process Line) Chrome plating electrolytes from hexavalent or trivalent systems for decorative and functional applications, including hard chrome (25+ µm) for wear protection.
• SLOTOSIL (Silver Plating Process Line) Silver plating electrolytes for decorative and technical applications including strip plants, with tarnish protection options and electroless silver for PCB end surfaces.
• SLOTOGOLD (Gold Plating Process Line) Gold plating electrolytes for decorative and technical applications, including immersion gold (24-karat) for ENIG processes and hard bright gold for connectors.
• SLOTOTIN (Tin Plating Process Line) Tin plating electrolytes for matte and bright tin, with fluoride-free options for continuous plants and electronic components, low whisker tendency and excellent solderability.
• SLOTOLOY (Zinc and Tin Alloy Plating Process Line) Alloy plating baths including zinc-nickel (12-16% Ni), zinc-iron (0.2-1.2% Fe), tin-zinc, tin-copper, tin-silver, tin-bismuth, tin-nickel (65/35), and lead-tin alloys for various industrial applications, including the award-winning SLOTOLOY ZN Generation VX line.
• SLOTONIP (Electroless Nickel Process Line) Electroless (autocatalytic) nickel-phosphorus plating processes with high (6-9%, 10.5-12%), medium (2-4%), and low phosphorus options plus dispersion coatings, providing wear- and corrosion-resistant contour-true coatings for complex geometries.
• SLOTOSIT (Plastics and PCB Metallization Process Line) Processes for metallization of plastics and non-conductors, including SLOTOSIT KM for special plastics (PA, IXEF, PEEK) via sulfur trioxide gas-phase conditioning and SLOTOSIT PCB for through-connection and metallization of printed circuit boards using graphite.
• SLOTODIP (Hot-Dip Galvanizing Pre/Post-Treatment Process Line) Pre- and post-treatment processes for hot-dip galvanizing, including alkaline and acidic degreasers, pickle degreasers with inhibitors, and organic passivation sealants for improved corrosion protection and aesthetics.
• SLOTOCLEAN (Pre-Treatment Process Line) Pre-treatment products including pickle degreasers, alkaline and acidic cleaners, electrolytic degreasers, aluminum pretreatments, and activators for preparing surfaces for electroplating.
• SLOTOSTRIP (Stripping Process Line) Chemical and electrolytic metal stripping processes for rework of components, stripping of coating racks and drum contacts, and stripping of metal resists in PCB technology.
• SLOTOPAS (Passivation and Chromating Process Line) Trivalent chromium-based passivations protecting zinc and zinc alloy coatings, available in transparent, blue, iridescent, or black finishes in thick or thin layer variants, including cobalt-free options.
• SLOTOFIN (Sealants Process Line) Sealants for passivated zinc and zinc alloy coatings that enhance corrosion protection, improve optics, and define friction coefficients for threaded fasteners.
• ZINCASLOT / SLOTANIT (Zinc Plating Process Line) Zinc and zinc alloy plating baths including alkaline cyanide-free and weak-acid processes for corrosion protection of steel components.
• SLOTOSON (Special Electroplating Processes) Special electrolytic processes for bismuth (electronics applications), indium (press-fit connectors), and cadmium (decorative coatings), plus photoresist residue cleaning.
• Plant Engineering and Equipment (Galvanizing and Surface Treatment Plants) Design, construction, and modernization of galvanizing and surface treatment plants including rack plants, tumbling plants, manual plants, electroplating plants, anodizing plants, cleaning and pickling plants, chemical plants, PCB plants, and plastics galvanizing plants, integrated with the SLOTRONIC control system.
• SLOTRONIC Plant Control System Schlötter's plant control system deployed on more than 700 electroplating installations worldwide, integrating transport systems, tank components, electrical systems, and peripherals into efficient production plants.
• Technical Service and Support (including Geislingen Technikum pilot plant and laboratory analysis) Comprehensive service offering including laboratory analysis of customer baths, technical documentation, customer training at the Geislingen Technikum, technical field service for on-site support, maintenance and repair of Schlötter plants, spare parts service, and control adjustments for SLOTRONIC systems.
• SLOTOWASH Empty Container Washing Station Washing station developed to facilitate pre-rinsing of empty chemical containers before return as part of Schlötter's empty container return program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Resource-saving alkaline zinc-nickel process SLOTOLOY ZN Generation VX reduces bath voltage compared to bright-nickel steel anodes, resulting in lower energy consumption and favorable CO2 balance. Constant high current efficiency eliminates need for regular electrolyte dilution, reducing chemical consumption.
• +2 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AGES Triallian Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Jointly opened a PCB Development Center in Taipeh, Taiwan in 2017, for bringing copper processes for the PCB industry to market readiness under production-like conditions.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the BMBF-funded H2Giga hydrogen project 'AEM-Direkt'. DLR is part of a group of leading research institutions working with Schlötter on developing AEM electrolysis membrane metallization processes for green hydrogen production.
• Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-NürnbergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch consortium partner in the H2Giga AEM-Direkt project focused on developing cost-effective, robust, serially manufacturable electrolysers for green hydrogen production.
• Max Planck Institute Berlin (Fritz Haber Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the last project meeting before the consortium met at Schlötter's Geislingen facility. Research partner in the AEM-Direkt project.
• Forschungszentrum JülichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the AEM-Direkt project contributing to the development of AEM electrolysis technology.
• TU BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner in the AEM-Direkt consortium developing membrane metallization processes for electrolysis.
• Siemens EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in the H2Giga AEM-Direkt project contributing to the development of commercially viable electrolysers.
• Evonik OperationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in the AEM-Direkt consortium providing expertise for the development of electrolyser technology.
• Aalberts Surface TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in the AEM-Direkt consortium contributing to surface technology solutions for hydrogen production.
• K&S GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the AEM-Direkt hydrogen research project.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• C. Uyemura & Co., Ltd. Uyemura is a Japanese specialty plating chemistry company strong in precious metals (gold, silver, tin, palladium) and PCB final finishes — directly comparable to Schlötter's SLOTOGOLD, SLOTOSIL, and SLOTOTIN product lines for electronics applications.
• SurTec (Freudenberg): SurTec, part of Freudenberg, is a European specialist in surface-treatment chemistry (cleaning, pre-treatment, electroless nickel, zinc, passivation) — directly comparable to Schlötter's SLOTOCLEAN, SLOTONIP, and SLOTOPAS lines with overlapping automotive and industrial customers.
• MacDermid Enthone Electronics Solutions: MacDermid Enthone (also under Element Solutions) competes head-to-head with Schlötter in PCB electroless copper, direct metallization, electrolytic copper for blind microvias, and final finishes (ENIG/ENEPIG), and is a primary competitor on Schlötter's core SLOTOCOUP/SLOTOSIT PCB chemistry lines.
• Atotech (Element Solutions): Atotech, now part of Element Solutions, is one of the two largest global suppliers of plating chemistry for electronics (PCB) and general metal finishing — directly competing with Schlötter across copper, nickel, zinc-nickel, and electroless nickel lines and serving the same automotive and PCB customers.
• Coventya: Coventya is a privately held European specialist in zinc, zinc-alloy, and decorative plating chemistry with comparable mid-sized scale to Schlötter and overlapping automotive and hardware customer base — a direct functional competitor especially in Europe.
• JCU Corporation: JCU is a Japanese supplier of plating chemicals for electronics, decorative, and functional applications (copper, tin, nickel, electroless nickel, gold). It overlaps directly with Schlötter's PCB copper chemistries and Asian PCB customer footprint.

Emerging players

• Aalberts Surface Technologies: Aalberts Surface Technologies is a service-based surface-treatment provider and Schlötter's consortium partner in the H2Giga AEM-Direkt project; it competes in contract coating services and, increasingly, in hydrogen-component surface finishing rather than in chemistry formulation.

Broad incumbents

• Quaker Houghton: Quaker Houghton is a large specialty chemicals platform serving metalworking and surface treatment; overlaps with Schlötter at the edges of industrial fluids and metal finishing but is not a direct galvanotechnics specialist.
• DuPont Electronics & Industrial: DuPont's electronics and industrial segment supplies PCB metallization and surface-finish chemistries as part of a much broader materials portfolio; competes with Schlötter in PCB chemistry but does not specialize in zinc/zinc-nickel decorative plating.
• Henkel: Henkel's adhesive technologies and surface-treatment divisions include plating chemistries (historically via acquired businesses) and broader industrial finishing solutions; a broad incumbent that touches but does not specialize in Schlötter's electroplating niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/schloetter
• Facebookfacebook.com/Schloetter.de

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Schlotter