Betz Chrom

What Betz Chrom does

Betz-Chrom GmbH is a family-owned German industrial job shop founded in 1952 and headquartered in Gräfelfing near Munich, with a second mechanical-processing facility in Maisach. The company specializes in functional surface coating of metal components — primarily hard chrome plating, electroless (chemical) nickel plating in Mid-Phos and High-Phos variants, and a proprietary hybrid nickel-chrome (NiCr) system — combined with precision mechanical finishing services including CNC cylindrical grinding, superfinishing, polishing, and blasting. It serves B2B industrial customers across five primary verticals: mechanical engineering, aerospace and defense, printing and film, energy generation (hydropower, gas and wind turbines), and plastics processing. Named reference customers include GROB, Schuler, NETZSCH, HORIBA, KRONES, mt-propeller, PSP Machinery, Ott Jakob, EWD, GEOS, Lingenhöle, Maschinenbau Dahme, Schema Hydraulik, Studio 49, and Toni Behr, with a stated base of over 1,000 industrial customers served across Germany, Europe and international markets.

The company's technical differentiation rests on 70-plus years of accumulated know-how in coating complex geometries and large components (up to 8,000 mm in length and 5,000 kg per part), supported by in-house fixture design (Vorrichtungsbau) using CAD and 3D printing, and 3D coating simulation via Elsyca software. Its proprietary BeGreen Chrome® process, in development since 2017 with innovative chemical suppliers, is a pilot hard chrome plating method using trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) electrolytes as an environmentally friendlier alternative to conventional hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). Hybrid NiCr coatings deliver measured corrosion resistance exceeding 480 hours in NSS testing (up to 1,008 hours with additional chrome) and friction coefficients of 0.15 (lubricated) / 0.21 (dry). In 2024, Betz-Chrom completed conversion of its external Cr(VI) plating bath to platinized titanium anodes (PtTi), eliminating lead chromate waste and reducing energy consumption.

Betz-Chrom operates as a quote-based project job shop — pricing depends on component dimensions, material, coating specification, layer thickness and processing complexity, with an express surcharge for urgent orders and component regeneration offered as a cost-effective alternative to new parts. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, EN 9100:2018 (aerospace), ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 50001:2018 certifications, and in June 2024 obtained EU REACH authorization for chromic acid use valid through February 15, 2033, with a review report due by August 15, 2031. It is actively engaged in the BMBF-funded DigiChrom research project (started late 2023) applying machine learning and ontology-based simulation to Cr(III)-based galvanic processes. Betz-Chrom is led by managing directors Miriam L. Betz and Hannah Betz, employs approximately 70 people, sources 100% green electricity since 2008, and operates as a direct-to-customer B2B model without intermediary channels.

Name

Betz Chrom

Legal name

Betz-Chrom GmbH

Website

https://betz-chrom.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Betz-Chrom GmbH is a family-owned German industrial job shop founded in 1952, specializing in hard chrome plating, electroless nickel, hybrid NiCr coatings, and precision mechanical finishing for B2B customers in aerospace, mechanical engineering, printing, plastics, and energy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Metal Surface Coating Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490)

akta.pro primary industry

Grinding, Honing & Superfinishing Equipment (IMAHADAE)

Keywords

• Hard chrome plating
• Electroless nickel plating
• Precision cylindrical grinding
• Industrial surface finishing
• Functional metal coating

Headquarters

HQ city

Gräfelfing

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Surface Coating Job Shop Services: Project-based job shop billing for functional surface coating (hard chrome, chemical nickel, hybrid) and mechanical finishing services. Pricing is quote-driven and based on component size, material, coating type, layer thickness, and processing complexity. Revenue is generated per project/job, not on a recurring subscription basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Betz-Chrom is a B2B industrial job shop that applies functional hard chrome and electroless nickel coatings, plus its proprietary BeGreen Chrome® Cr(III) alternative and a hybrid NiCr layer system, onto customer-supplied metal components for wear and corrosion protection. Each plating job is combined with precision mechanical finishing — CNC cylindrical grinding, superfinishing, polishing, and shot blasting — and supported by custom in-house fixture design, 3D printing for tooling, coating simulation, material and surface analytics, and component regeneration/repair processes.

Product overview

Betz-Chrom is a surface technology company specializing in functional surface coating and mechanical processing of metal components. The core offerings include hard chrome plating (Hartverchromen) and its innovative BeGreen Chrome® Chromium(III) alternative, electroless nickel plating in Mid-Phos and High-Phos variants, and hybrid Nickel-Hartchrom coatings. These are complemented by mechanical processing services including cylindrical grinding (Rundschleifen), polishing (Polieren), superfinishing, and blasting (Strahlen). The company also offers repair processes for component regeneration, comprehensive material and surface analytics, and 3D printing services for tooling. The company operates two facilities serving aerospace, machinery, plastics, printing, energy, and automotive industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BeGreen Chrome®: A pilot process for functional chrome plating using trivalent chromium (Chrome III) electrolyte as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional Chrome(VI) hard chrome plating.

Products and services

• Hard Chrome Plating (Hartverchromen) Functional hard chrome plating for industrial metal components, providing wear resistance, corrosion protection, and low friction. Includes dimensionally accurate plating and oversized plating for thick chrome layers, on components up to Ø 1300 x 4700 mm (8000 mm on turnover) and up to 5,000 kg. Serves B2B manufacturers across mechanical engineering, aerospace, plastics processing, energy, and printing industries.
• BeGreen Chrome® (Cr(III) Hard Chrome Pilot) Pilot functional hard chrome plating process using trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) electrolyte instead of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), positioned as an environmentally friendlier alternative for industrial manufacturers with stringent regulatory or sustainability requirements. Process is more sensitive and requires multi-part pre-treatment, specialized anode technology, and close process monitoring.
• Electroless Nickel Plating (Chemisch Nickel) Electroless (chemical) nickel plating providing uniform coating thickness regardless of part geometry, with high corrosion resistance and wear protection. Available in Mid-Phos (6–9% phosphorus) and High-Phos (10–12% phosphorus) variants for industrial components requiring precise, uniform layer thickness.
• Hybrid Nickel-Hard Chrome Coating (NiCr) Combined nickel-chrome coating system that pairs a chemical nickel (electroless) underlayer for all-round corrosion protection with a hard chrome topcoat for high hardness. Heat treatment at 230–400°C improves layer adhesion and hardness. Targets chemically and mechanically demanding industrial environments; achieves > 480 hours NSS corrosion resistance and ~1000 ± 50 HV 0.1 hardness.
• Precision Cylindrical Grinding (Rundschleifen) Precision external cylindrical grinding between centers using CNC technology, for components up to Ø 850 x 4000 mm with tight surface finish tolerances down to Ra 0.2 µm. Achieves roundness ≥ 0.01 mm and run-out ≥ 0.005 mm. Used both as a standalone service and as the finishing step after plating.
• Polishing (Polieren) Industrial polishing and belt grinding for smoothing and finishing metal surfaces, reducing friction, improving corrosion resistance after plating, and achieving mirror finishes. Targeted at industrial customers preparing components for high-specification coating or finishing.
• Superfinish (Micro-finishing) Micro-finishing process that uses oscillating fine grinding belts to produce a defined surface finish with cross-hatch pattern, improving load-bearing area and tribological properties. Used primarily for hydraulic and bearing applications as the final finishing step after grinding or plating.
• Blasting (Strahlen) Surface preparation including sand blasting, glass bead blasting, shot peening, and cleaning for adhesion improvement and matte chrome finishes with controlled surface roughness. Used as a pre-coating preparation step or to deliver specified matte chrome surfaces.
• Component Repair and Regeneration (Reparaturverfahren) Component regeneration including repair hard chrome plating, flame spraying, brush plating (Tampongalvanisieren), TIG/MIG welding, and spot welding. Restores worn or damaged parts as a cost-effective alternative to new components, addressing both corrosion and mechanical wear recovery.
• Material and Surface Analytics (Werkstoff- und Oberflächenanalytik) Comprehensive material and surface analysis including layer thickness measurement (magnetic induction, eddy current, XRF), Vickers hardness testing, X-ray fluorescence composition analysis, digital microscopy, roughness measurement, and gloss measurement. Delivered as a quality assurance service to coating customers.
• 3D Printing (3D-Druck) for Tooling and Prototypes FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printing service for plastic prototypes, models, and jigs using PLA, ABS, Nylon, and PETG materials. Used primarily as a supporting capability for in-house electroplating fixture design, prototype production, and tooling preparation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Galvanic surface coating prevents approximately €150 billion in corrosion and wear damage annually in Germany alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading research institute and innovation driver in galvanotechnical process and plant engineering. Fraunhofer IPA collaborates with Betz-Chrom on R&D projects including the LEGOLAS air extraction efficiency project, contributing expertise in production automation and systems engineering.
• Institut für Galvano- und Oberflächentechnik Solingen GmbH & Co. KG (IGOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent and competent contact partner for surface investigations. IGOS supports Betz-Chrom with surface analysis and testing capabilities as an external specialist laboratory.
• Lehrstuhl Werkstofftechnik, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Wtech)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaterials science department at Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Betz-Chrom coats components for the chair's research work, providing surface technology capabilities to advance academic materials research.
• MacDermid EnthonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper, producer, and distributor of process chemicals and coating methods for metals and plastics. MacDermid Enthone supplies Betz-Chrom with electrolyte formulations and process chemicals, including those for Cr(III) BeGreen Chrome® development.
• Umicore Metal Deposition Solutions (MDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the world's leading manufacturers of electrolytes and electrodes for surface finishing. Umicore MDS supplies Betz-Chrom with advanced electrolyte products and technical support, contributing to BeGreen Chrome® Cr(III) development.
• Zentrum für Oberflächentechnik Schwäbisch Gmünd (ZOG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetence center for vocational and continuing education in galvanic and surface technology. ZOG provides training and professional development support for Betz-Chrom's workforce.
• MaterialDigital (BMBF-funded project platform)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform hosting the DigiChrom research project (Digital Tools for Improving Galvanic Coatings — Example: Cr(III)-based Processes). Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) since late 2023. Betz-Chrom participates as an industrial partner, contributing practical process data and application expertise to develop machine learning and simulation tools for galvanic coating research.
• Rauch Kunststoff- & Galvanotechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGalvanic plant manufacturer serving as project coordinator for the LEGOLAS research project ('Air Extraction Efficiency in Galvanics'). Betz-Chrom participated as an industrial partner, providing real-world galvanic process expertise for the development of optimized air extraction systems combining blow-off and suction technology.
• Lehrstuhl für Fertigungsautomatisierung und Produktionssystematik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the LEGOLAS project. Contributed expertise in manufacturing automation and production systems to improve air extraction efficiency in galvanic operations.
• Lehrstuhl für Umweltgerechte Produktionstechnik, Universität BayreuthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the LEGOLAS project. Contributed expertise in environmentally responsible production technology to support sustainable improvements in galvanic air extraction processes.
• Zitt GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in the LEGOLAS air extraction research initiative. Contributed specialized engineering capabilities to the development of optimized air extraction solutions for galvanic plants.
• RambollminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRenowned engineering and management consultancy with extensive REACH authorization experience. Ramboll has successfully supported many similar projects. Betz-Chrom engaged Ramboll throughout its complex chromic acid REACH authorization process to navigate regulatory compliance.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bodycote: Global provider of heat treatment and surface technology services including hard chrome, electroless nickel, and specialized coatings. Listed on LSE with hundreds of facilities worldwide. Overlaps with Betz-Chrom's coating portfolio but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Aalberts Surface Technologies: European leader in surface treatment services including hard chrome, electroless nickel, anodizing, and PVD coatings. Directly comparable to Betz-Chrom in core plating services but operates a much larger multi-country network serving similar aerospace, automotive, and industrial customers.
• Voestalpine eifeler Coatings: Austrian-based PVD and PACVD coatings group within the voestalpine steel conglomerate. Comparable to Betz-Chrom in serving European industrial customers with functional surface treatments but focused on PVD technology and supported by an integrated steel producer.
• Mersen: French-listed industrial group with surface treatment and anti-corrosion coating operations serving energy, electronics, and industrial markets. Overlaps with Betz-Chrom in functional coatings but operates as a diversified specialty materials group rather than a focused job shop.
• Oerlikon Balzers: Liechtenstein-based global leader in surface solutions with PVD, CVD, and other thin-film coatings. Comparable to Betz-Chrom in functional surface treatment for industrial customers but serves primarily higher-end applications with PVD technology rather than hard chrome plating.

Direct peers

• IHLE Plating: German electroplating job shop offering hard chrome, electroless nickel, and surface finishing services to industrial customers. Direct mid-sized German competitor to Betz-Chrom in the same metalworking services category.
• HEF Group: French family-owned surface engineering specialist offering hard chrome, electroless nickel, and PVD coatings with multiple production sites across Europe. Closest comparable to Betz-Chrom in scope, family ownership structure, and European industrial customer focus.
• Walter Lemmen GmbH: German hard chrome plating and metal finishing job shop serving mechanical engineering, hydraulics, and general industrial customers. Directly comparable mid-sized German competitor to Betz-Chrom in scope of hard chrome and mechanical finishing services.
• Hard Chrome Engineering (UK): UK-based hard chrome plating specialist serving aerospace, hydraulics, and general industrial customers. Comparable European hard chrome job shop to Betz-Chrom with similar aerospace certification and component repair focus.
• Dörken MKS Systeme: German surface technology company providing functional coatings, anti-corrosion systems, and metal finishing for industrial customers. Comparable to Betz-Chrom as a Germany-based mid-market surface treatment specialist with similar customer verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/betz-chrom

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Betz Chrom