Electrochemical Products

What Electrochemical Products does

Electrochemical Products, Inc. (EPi), founded in 1954 and headquartered in New Berlin, Wisconsin, is a private US manufacturer and direct seller of metal-plating and finishing chemical products. The company's portfolio is organized into three primary pillars: (1) black-oxide and blackening chemistries spanning room, mid, and high temperature regimes under the Ultra-Blak, Insta-Blak, and Kool-Blak brands; (2) electroplating processes under the E-Brite brand covering non-cyanide and cyanide copper, alkaline non-cyanide silver, brass, and nickel systems; and (3) color treatment and antiquing chemistries under the B/Ox brand for copper, brass, bronze, nickel, and silver finishes. Supporting product families include E-Kleen metal cleaners (alkaline soak, acid, neutral phosphated, and SR-grade smut-removing cleaners), E-Pik deoxidizers and activators, E-Tec rust preventatives, water-displacing oils, wax emulsions, and lacquers, plus a dedicated waste treatment line (EPi Coagulant, EPi Polymer, E-Kleen Defoamer).

The technical foundation rests on trade-secret-protected first-to-market formulations — including the first single-additive inorganic brightener for cyanide copper plating (E-Brite 23-11R), the first single-additive brass plating process (E-Brite B-150), the first bright-leveling single-additive nickel plating process (E-Brite 717), and the E-Brite 50/50 alkaline non-cyanide silver plating process — making EPi the only company offering all three blackening temperature regimes. Several products meet military and aerospace specifications, including MIL-DTL-13924D Class 1, AMS 2485L, MIL-C-14550 B, AMS 2418F, AMS-2411J, and MIL-C-16173D Grade 3. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and has received Wisconsin Governor's awards in 1999 for E-Brite 50/50.

EPi distributes directly to customers through its own e-commerce storefront, phone sales for custom and complex orders, and international phone/email handling for non-continental US and overseas buyers, supplemented by a mobile ordering app and trade show presence at events such as the SHOT Show supplier showcase. Pricing follows a per-unit/SKU model (typically $40-$100+ per item) with sample processing and trial kits offered to support evaluation prior to full adoption. Customer segments span industrial metal finishing shops, aerospace and defense contractors, firearms and hardware manufacturers, automotive parts suppliers, and artists/architectural metalworkers, with no public concentration in any single end market.

Name

Electrochemical Products

Legal name

Electrochemical Products, Inc

Website

https://epi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Electrochemical Products, Inc. (EPi) is a US manufacturer founded in 1954 that develops and sells specialty metal-plating and finishing chemicals — black oxide, electroplating, antiquing, cleaners, and rust preventatives — directly to industrial finishers, aerospace and defense, firearms, automotive, and architectural metalworking customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Finishing Chemicals

NAICS

Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring (332813), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (3328)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation) (IMAIAKAE)

Keywords

• Metal finishing chemicals
• Electroplating solutions
• Black oxide coatings
• Antiquing oxidizing chemicals
• Rust preventatives

Headquarters

HQ city

New Berlin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Finishing Chemicals: EPi manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of metal finishing chemical products including black oxide solutions, electroplating chemicals, antiquing solutions, metal cleaners, rust preventatives, and waste treatment products. Products are sold directly through their e-commerce platform and by phone. They offer trial sizes and sample testing for customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EPi develops, manufactures, and sells metal-plating and finishing chemical products including black oxide solutions (Ultra-Blak, Insta-Blak, Kool-Blak), electroplating processes (E-Brite copper, silver, nickel, brass chemistries), color treatment and antiquing chemicals (B/Ox line), metal cleaners (E-Kleen), acid salt deoxidizers (E-Pik), rust preventatives (E-Tec), and waste treatment products. Products are sold directly through the company's e-commerce platform and by phone to industrial metal finishers, aerospace/defense contractors, firearms manufacturers, automotive parts suppliers, and artists/architectural metalworkers.

Product overview

Electrochemical Products, Inc (EPi) is a manufacturer and innovator of metal-finishing chemical products founded in 1954, operating as a single-portfolio chemical company with multiple product lines. The core portfolio is organized into three main categories: (1) Black Oxide / Blackening processes including the Ultra-Blak (powder/liquid), Insta-Blak (room-temperature immersion and gel products for steel, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc/cadmium), and Kool-Blak (mid-temperature) lines; (2) Electroplating processes under the E-Brite brand including non-cyanide copper (E-Brite 30/30, E-Brite Ultra-Cu RTP), cyanide copper (E-Brite 23-11), and alkaline non-cyanide silver (E-Brite 2.0 Ag); and (3) Color Treatment / Antiquing & Oxidizing under the B/Ox brand (B/Ox 311–327 in liquid and gel formulations for copper, brass, bronze, nickel, silver, and white metals). Supporting these core lines are metal pre-treatment products (E-Kleen alkaline and acid cleaners, E-Pik acid salt deoxidizers), corrosion protection products (E-Tec water-displacing oils, wax emulsions, and lacquers), and waste treatment products (EPi Coagulant, EPi Polymer, E-Kleen Defoamer). The company also offers the E-Kleen SR series of heavy-duty smut-removing cleaners. All products are sold directly to industrial metal finishers and hobbyists through EPi's e-commerce platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• E-Brite: Product line for electroplating processes including copper, silver, nickel, and brass plating solutions.
• Insta-Blak
• Ultra-Blak
• Kool-Blak
• B/Ox
• E-Kleen
• E-Tec
• E-Pik
• E-Chrome
• E-Mist NF

Products and services

• Ultra-Blak 400 Hot Black Oxide Powder for Steel Premium-grade hot black oxide powder producing a deep anthracite-black finish on steel and steel alloys; drag-out 5–30 lb per week per 100-gallon tank.
• Ultra-Blak 400-L Hot Black Oxide Liquid for Steel Liquid hot black oxide solution producing one of the darkest black finishes possible on steel; drag-out 1–5 gallons per 100-gallon tank per week.
• Ultra-Blak 407 Blackening Chemicals for Stainless Steel Hot blackening solution for stainless steel alloys (200, 300, 400, 17-4 PH), malleable cast iron, and mild/low-carbon steels.
• Insta-Blak 333 Black Oxide Chemicals for Steel and Iron Room-temperature immersion/swab-on blackening solution producing a smooth, no-smut satin black finish on tools, architectural surfaces, and parts; one gallon coats ~400–500 sq ft.
• Insta-Blak 333 GEL Blackener for Steel and Iron Gel-based room-temperature blackening for steel and ferrous metals; designed for swab-on vertical applications, touchups, and slower reaction control.
• Insta-Blak SS-370 Blackening Solution for Stainless Steel Liquid concentrate for swab-on or immersion blackening of stainless steel; suited to architectural surfaces; one gallon blackens up to 200 sq ft of stainless steel.
• Insta-Blak S-334 Swab-On Blackener for Steel Swab-on blackening solution for quick applications and touchups to items with damaged black finishes.
• Insta-Blak A-380 Blackener for Aluminum Room-temperature immersion blackening of aluminum for small machine parts, grommets, screws, and hardware; one gallon coats 150–200 sq ft of aluminum parts.
• Insta-Blak Z-360 Zinc & Cadmium Blackener Room-temperature quick-finish blackening of zinc and cadmium-plated parts; one gallon coats ~200–300 sq ft of cadmium or zinc parts.
• Kool-Blak 225 Mid-Temp Black Oxide Finish for Steel Mid-temperature blackening solution producing glossy black finishes on steel while eliminating caustic fumes and boiling temperatures; meets MIL-DTL 13924D Class 1 and AMS 2485L.
• Ultra-Blak Rectifier Liquid additive for black oxide processes that aids removal of copper and red-iron oxide buildup during blackening of steel parts with and without copper brazing.
• E-Brite 30/30 Non-Cyanide Copper Plating Non-cyanide alkaline copper plating process for heat treat stop-off, electrical wires, aluminum/zinc castings, decorative finishes, and as a base for additional plating processes.
• E-Brite 5.0 Cu Copper Plating Non-cyanide copper plating process for decorative finishes and soldering applications.
• E-Brite Ultra-Cu RTP Alkaline Non-Cyanide Copper Plating Ready-to-plate alkaline non-cyanide copper for small applications including brush plating; one bath serves as both strike and plate; meets MIL-C-14550 B and AMS 2418F.
• E-Brite 23-11 Cyanide Copper Plating EPi's first single-additive, inorganic-based brightener for cyanide copper plating — the first such product introduced to the industry.
• E-Brite 2.0 Ag Alkaline Non-Cyanide Silver Plating Alkaline non-cyanide silver plating providing conductivity, hardness, and lubricant properties; passes AMS-2411J high-temperature baking.
• E-Pik 215 Dry Acid Salt Deoxidizer/Activator General-purpose dry acid salt metal activator/deoxidizer containing fluoride; used at room temperature on steel, copper, brass, zinc, and copper alloys prior to blackening, oxidizing, antiquing, plating, or chromating.
• E-Kleen 148-E Soak Cleaner Heavy-duty low-foaming emulsifiable alkaline soak cleaner effective at 100–140°F on all metals without etching aluminum; suited for Insta-Blak, plating, and phosphatizing lines.
• E-Kleen 163 Neutral Phosphated Cleaner Room-temperature concentrated liquid neutral phosphated soak cleaner; cleans water-soluble oils, petroleum, and emulsifies oil/animal fat buffing compounds; 3–4x longer bath life.
• E-Kleen 154 Acid Cleaner One-step liquid concentrate acid cleaner and pre-paint conditioner for steel; cleans aluminum with controlled etching; neutralizes residual alkalinity before acidic blackening or oxidizing.
• E-Kleen SR 102 Soak Cleaner Heavy-duty non-silicated, oil-splitting, high-caustic liquid soak cleaner that removes carbon smut from steel; contains over 13% by weight surfactants/detergents/desmutters.
• E-Tec 501 Water Displacing Rust Preventative Slightly oily solvent and calcium-based lubricant and rust/corrosion inhibitor for ferrous and non-ferrous metals; 110–130 hours of salt spray resistance; meets Mil-C-16173D Grade 3.
• E-Tec 502 Water Displacing Rust Preventative Thin slightly oily solvent and calcium-based lubricant and rust/corrosion inhibitor for ferrous and non-ferrous metals; 70–90 hours of salt spray resistance; meets Mil-C-16173D Grade 3.
• E-Tec 503 Water Displacing Rust Preventative Dry-touch glossy solvent and calcium-based lubricant and rust/corrosion inhibitor; 70–90 hours of salt spray resistance; meets Mil-C-16173D Grade 3.
• E-Tec 504 Water Displacing Rust Preventative Dry-to-touch hard-film solvent-based lubricant and rust/corrosion inhibitor for ferrous and non-ferrous metals; 50 hours of salt spray resistance; formulated for hot black oxide lines; meets Mil-C-16173D Grade 3.
• E-Tec 505+ Water Displacing Rust Preventative Dry soft-film solvent-based lubricant and rust/corrosion inhibitor for ferrous and non-ferrous metals; 96 hours of salt spray resistance; meets Mil-C-16173D Grade 3.
• E-Tec 520 Low Corrosion Resistance Lacquer Mildly alkaline water-based solution depositing a hard, clear, glossy dry finish with zero VOCs for interior applications over Insta-Blak; coverage ~2,900 sq ft per gallon.
• E-Tec 521 Wax Emulsion Corrosion Inhibitor Low-viscosity water-based wax emulsion providing corrosion protection and decorative coating on cast iron, phosphate, black oxide, bonderized, and anodized surfaces.
• EPi Coagulant Waste Treatment Waste treatment coagulant used with caustic after the E-Brite 30/30 copper-plating process to reduce sludge volume and disposal costs.
• EPi Polymer Waste Treatment Polymer used in conjunction with EPi Coagulant to form highly clarified effluent for cost-effective discharge; available as liquid or powder; reduces waste, sludge, and waste-treatment costs.
• B/Ox 311 Antiquing Solution for Copper, Brass & Bronze Antiquing solution producing brown, black-brown, and US 10B finishes on copper, brass, and bronze; consistent color and easier to relieve than other processes.
• B/Ox 311 GEL Antiquing for Copper, Brass & Bronze Instant-acting swab-on/brush gel antiquing process producing brown, black-brown, and US 10B finishes on vertical copper-alloy surfaces with underlying red tones.
• B/Ox 312 Antiquing Chemicals for Copper, Brass & Bronze Antiquing chemical producing unique shades of brown on copper, brass, and bronze; rich brown tones on copper/brass and rich red tones when highlighted.
• B/Ox 312 GEL Antiquing Solution for Copper, Brass & Bronze Instant-acting swab-on/brush gel antiquing for pronounced brown to chocolate-brown tones on copper, brass, and bronze; richer red tones when highlighted.
• B/Ox 313 Antiquing Chemicals for Copper, Brass, Bronze, Nickel & Silver Instant-acting black chemical conversion/antique finish for brass, bronze, copper, and nickel; produces black at full strength and satin/dull black on nickel and silver.
• B/Ox 314 Antiquing Chemicals for Copper, Brass & Bronze Slow-acting antiquing formula producing warmer and richer brown tones of varying intensity, including deep walnut browns on brass and bronze; easy to relieve.
• B/Ox 315 Antiquing Chemicals for Copper, Brass & Bronze Liquid concentrate antiquing producing light brown, brown, and chocolate-brown colors with golden tones; originally developed for door hardware.
• B/Ox 316 GEL Swab-On Verdi-Green Chemicals for Copper, Brass & Bronze Thick liquid concentrate gel producing natural verdi green or bluish patina on copper alloys; thick enough to powder coat or lacquer over without losing appearance.
• B/Ox 327 Blackening Chemicals for Alloys of Tin, Lead or Copper Non-selenium liquid concentrate producing gunmetal blue, black, brown, and slightly purple finishes on copper, brass, bronze, white metals, silver, and tin-lead alloys.

Quantifiable outcome

• E-Chrome Ultra Blue provides salt spray resistance to white rust up to 150 hours
• +6 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Technic Inc. US-based manufacturer of specialty electroplating chemistries, engineered powders, and surface finishing equipment. Directly competes with EPi in plating chemistry for electronics, aerospace, and decorative finishing.
• Coventya: Specialty chemical supplier serving decorative and functional electroplating, with a comparable portfolio of zinc, copper, nickel, and passivation chemistries. Direct competitor in industrial metal finishing, primarily operating in Europe and the Americas.
• Heatbath Corporation: US manufacturer of metal finishing chemistries including blackening, phosphating, cleaning, and rust preventative products. Closely comparable in product scope (especially black oxide), customer base, and US regional footprint.
• Uyemura International: Japanese-headquartered global supplier of plating chemistries with a strong US presence. Directly comparable in gold, silver, copper, nickel, and tin plating chemistries for electronics and industrial finishing.
• Asterion (formerly Dipsol/Variant): US-based specialty plating chemistry supplier focused on zinc, zinc-alloy, and decorative plating chemistries with strong black oxide and passivation overlap. Directly comparable customer base and product positioning to EPi.
• Columbia Chemical: Manufacturer of zinc and zinc-alloy plating additives, brighteners, and passivates. Closely comparable in chemistry, customer base (industrial platers), and product positioning in non-cyanide zinc and corrosion protection.
• MacDermid Enthone Electronics Solutions (Element Solutions): Global leader in metal finishing and electroplating chemistries for electronics and industrial finishing. Closest direct competitor to EPi, with overlapping product lines in copper, nickel, silver, and zinc plating, and a far larger global footprint.
• Atotech (MKS Instruments): Major specialty chemicals supplier focused on plating and surface finishing for electronics, automotive, and industrial markets. Directly comparable in electroplating and metal finishing chemistry, with much greater scale and global service infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• DuPont Electronics & Industrial (QPL Solutions): Diversified specialty chemicals player with electronic and industrial finishing chemistries. Competes in plating and surface finishing for electronics and industrial customers, but as part of a much broader materials portfolio rather than as a niche specialist.
• Henkel (Surface Treatment / Bonderite): Global chemical major with a broad surface treatment portfolio (Bonderite) covering cleaning, pre-treatment, plating, and corrosion protection. Overlaps with EPi in metal finishing and pre-treatment, but operates at vastly larger scale and serves automotive, aerospace, and industrial OEMs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.epi.com/knowledge-base/where-can-i-find-the-product-literature-sds-and-tds
• Xx.com/EPi_USA

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Electrochemical Products