Galva

What Galva does

Galva Indústria e Comércio Ltda is a privately held Brazilian specialty chemical manufacturer and distributor, founded in 1983 in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, and focused on surface treatment chemistry for industrial galvanoplasty (electroplating) and metal finishing. The company operates as both an in-house formulator of its own branded process chemicals (Galvaclear, Galvanol, Galvanik, Galvapasiv, Galvastripper, Galvabril product lines) and as the Brazilian sales/distribution channel for international surface treatment players including Atotech and Chemetall, as well as complementary equipment makers (Alpina Termoplásticos, Elmactron, Primor, SMS Resistências). Its product portfolio covers the full sequence of metal finishing operations — degreasing, pickling, acid activation, electrolytic and electroless plating (nickel, zinc, copper, brass, tin), oxidation/coloring, passivation, sealing, and chemical stripping — alongside raw chemical inputs such as chromic acid, cyanides, nickel and zinc salts, and caustic soda.

The business runs on a direct technical sales model: a regional sales force (historically concentrated in Rio Grande do Sul's Serra and Vale dos Sinos regions) sells into industrial manufacturers running metal finishing lines, supported by an in-house laboratory for analytical process control. Galva's headquarters at Rua das Indústrias 275/112 in Porto Alegre combines office and warehouse operations, and the company also stocks and resells nickel anodes and ancillary inputs. Pricing is handled through direct quotation rather than public disclosure, consistent with a relationship-driven B2B industrial chemicals model.

Galva is a small, founder-managed limitada with approximately 27 employees and no external institutional investment, no public listing, and no disclosed subsidiaries or parent entity. Its operating geography is restricted to Brazil, with no global footprint claim, and there are no certifications, patents, trademarks or AI/technology assets indicated in the available record. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Galva

Legal name

Galva Indústria e Comércio Ltda

Website

https://galva.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Galva is a Brazilian specialty chemical manufacturer and distributor, founded in 1983 in Porto Alegre, that formulates and supplies surface treatment and galvanoplasty process chemicals — including degreasers, plating baths, passivators and strippers — to industrial metal-finishing customers, while distributing Atotech and Chemetall technologies in Brazil.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Specialty Chemicals for Metal Surface Treatment

NAICS

Electroplating, Plating, Polishing, Anodizing, and Coloring (332813), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (33281)

SIC

Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation) (IMAIAKAE), Paint Removal, Stripping & Lead Abatement (IMAIAKAN)

Keywords

• Surface treatment chemicals
• Electroplating chemicals
• Galvanoplasty processes
• Metal finishing supplies
• Industrial chemical manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto Alegre

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Galva manufactures and distributes specialty chemical products for industrial metal surface treatment and electroplating (galvanoplasty), covering the full process chain including degreasing, pickling, oxidation/coloring, nickel plating (electrolytic and electroless), zinc plating, passivation, sealing, and metal stripping. The company also distributes third-party branded surface treatment processes from international principals Atotech and Chemetall, as well as complementary equipment (plating baths, resistances, polishing brushes) from Elmactron, SMS Resistências, Alpina Termoplásticos, and Primor, serving as a one-stop supplier to industrial metal finishing operations in Brazil.

Product overview

Galva is an industrial chemical manufacturing and trading company that produces and commercializes a comprehensive portfolio of chemical products and solutions for surface treatment and electroplating (galvanoplastia). The product portfolio is organized across several process categories: oxidizing/coloring agents (Galvanol line: LC 135, LC 70, LC 46, 12, Inox, NI 30, Super, Grafite I, and Aditivo Galvanol); alkaline and electrolytic degreasers (Galvaclear line: I 51, I 50, AL 10, AL 30, 27, 43-E); chemical and electrolytic nickel processes (Galvanik 70, Galvanik 72, Galvabril 150 A); zinc passivators and chromates (Galvapasiv 10, Galvapasiv 30, Galvacrom Pret, Selante G 50); nickel and metal strippers (Galvastripper line: AU, CL 200, F 500, NI, NI 6 A, 500, 510, 80); and raw chemical materials (Ácido Crômico, Cianeto de Cobre, Cianeto de Zinco, Cloreto de Níquel, Cloreto de Zinco Anidro, Óxido de Zinco, Soda Cáustica, Sulfato de Cobre, Sulfato de Níquel). The company also distributes third-party branded processes (Atotech, Chemetall). The product ecosystem functions as a modular set of complementary process chemicals — one product often serving as a prerequisite or companion to another in multi-step surface treatment sequences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Galvanol LC 135 Concentrated liquid chemical product used for oxidizing copper/copper-plated and brass/brass-plated pieces, providing decorative finishes ranging from brown to dark gray, including 'old gold' antique effects, by simple immersion.
• Galvaclear I 51 Hot-immersion alkaline degreaser for iron and steel, supplied as a highly alkaline solid powder compound, especially indicated for immersion installations with agitation before pickling, phosphatizing, and enameling operations.
• Galvanol 12 Solid white to lightly yellowish highly alkaline compound used for obtaining uniform black oxidation on iron and steel pieces by hot immersion.
• Galvanol Inox Oxidation compound used to produce black deposits on stainless steel and fine steel alloys by simple immersion, depositing a layer of oxide and sulfides.
• Galvanol Super Produces cupric oxide layers on copper and copper alloys (65%+ copper content), providing chemically stable black deposits resistant to heat up to 185°C, also used for coloring brass and copper alloys.
• Galvanol NI 30 Chemical oxidation product for blackening zamak, zinc, and nickel pieces, producing an adherent black finish suitable for glossy or matte varnish application afterward.
• Galvanol LC 46 Concentrated liquid product for oxidation of copper-plated or brass-plated pieces by immersion, with coloration tones ranging from light yellow to brown depending on operating conditions.
• Galvanol LC 70 Liquid concentrate producing uniform decorative oxidized finishes on copper and copper alloys by simple immersion, including brown and statue bronze tones on copper and antique brass and English bronze finishes on brass.
• Galvaclear I 50 Medium-alkaline immersion and electrolytic hot degreaser for iron, steel, copper, and brass, free of cyanides and phosphates, supplied as a solid compound with excellent detergency and buffering action.
• Galvaclear AL 30 Universal hot-immersion chemical degreaser for iron, steel, brass, copper, zamak, and aluminum, supplied as an alkaline cyanide-free solid compound with high surfactant and inhibitor content to prevent metal attack.
• Galvaclear AL 10 Lightly alkaline degreaser free of silicates for cleaning aluminum, aluminum alloys, and zamak by simple immersion, indicated for cleaning without attack before anodizing, chromatizing, and chemical polishing.
• Galvanik 70 Bright medium-phosphorus electroless (chemical) nickel plating process providing uniform deposit and optimal hardness, suitable as a substitute for hard chrome after heat treatment, applicable on iron, carbon steel, aluminum alloys, zinc alloys, and non-conductors.
• Galvanik 72 High-phosphorus electroless (chemical) nickel process providing extremely corrosion- and wear-resistant deposit, widely used in the food industry, surgical and dental instruments, and electronic components due to low deposit toxicity and absence of heavy metals.
• Galvabril 150 A Electrolytic bright nickel plating process with high brightness and leveling power and higher deposition speed compared to existing processes, applicable on iron, steel, copper and alloys, and plastics.
• Galvapasiv 10 Blue passivation process for zinc electroplated layers providing uniform blue tone and increased corrosion resistance (24–48 hours salt spray test without white corrosion).
• Galvapasiv 30 Trivalent blue passivation process for zinc providing bright blue uniform finish with greater corrosion resistance compared to conventional blue chromate processes, compatible with alkaline cyanide and cyanide-free zinc baths.
• Galvacrom Pret Bright black chromate product for zinc with high corrosion resistance (120 hours salt spray test without white corrosion), providing brilliant black film with excellent adhesion on zinc-plated pieces.
• Galvapasiv NI Hexavalent chromium-based sealant for nickel layers used to prevent common yellow oxidation on nickel-plated pieces.
• Galvatim Selante Chromate-based passivator for electroplated tin to prevent common yellow oxidation on tin-plated pieces destined for storage.
• Galvastripper AU Chemical stripper for gold and gold alloys over nickel, used by simple immersion, supplied as a slightly yellowish cyanide-containing liquid that removes up to 1 µm of gold per minute at room temperature.
• Galvastripper CL 200 Stripper for nickel layers over copper and brass by simple immersion without attacking the base metal, supplied as a lightly yellowish solid granular compound.
• Galvastripper F 500 Solid alkaline nickel stripper for iron base material, removing nickel layers by simple chemical immersion without attacking the base metal.
• Galvastripper NI Powder compound added to Sodium Cyanide for chemical removal by simple immersion of electrolytic deposits of nickel, brass, copper, zinc, cadmium, and silver over steel and ABS plastics without attacking the base metal, with a removal rate of 37 µm/hour at 55–60°C for nickel.
• Protetor 150 Alkaline powder antirust compound for protecting iron and steel pieces, preventing premature oxidation, added to the last wash cycle in alkaline cleaning and acid pickling of ferrous metals.
• Pantoil PHA 59 Water-soluble lubricating compound for protection and compaction of galvanized and ferrous wires during bobbing operations, forming a water-soluble protective film preventing white corrosion and premature rust.
• Ácido Crômico (Chromic Acid) Chromic acid chemical product sold as a raw material for electroplating and surface treatment processes.
• Cianeto de Cobre (Copper Cyanide) Copper cyanide chemical product sold as a raw material for electroplating baths.
• Cianeto de Zinco (Zinc Cyanide) Zinc cyanide chemical product sold as a raw material for zinc electroplating baths.
• Cloreto de Níquel (Nickel Chloride) Nickel chloride chemical product sold in crystals or solution form as a raw material for electroplating baths.
• Sulfato de Níquel (Nickel Sulfate) Nickel sulfate chemical product sold in crystal or solution form as a raw material for nickel electroplating baths.
• Soda Cáustica (Caustic Soda) Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) chemical product sold as a raw material for various industrial cleaning and electroplating processes.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Atotech BrasilcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1999Atotech Brasil is a major international surface treatment technology company. Galva serves as their distributor for chemical processes including nickel free, trivalent passivators, bright nickel, nickel chemical for ABS, and zinc alloy processes. This partnership began in January 1999 following Enthone OMI's acquisition of Orwec S.A.
• Alpina TermoplásticosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlpina Termoplásticos is a partner working with rotomolded engineered plastic products. The partnership was established in 1998. Alpina operates from São Paulo.
• ElmactronminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElmactron manufactures industrial equipment for galvanic baths. The representation agreement was established in 2002, completing Galva's offering for all stages of galvanoplasty processes.
• SMS ResistênciasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSMS Resistências manufactures electrical resistances for galvanoplasty equipment. This was one of Galva's early representation relationships acquired during company growth.
• PrimorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimor is listed as a represented partner operating from São Paulo, specializing in polishing brush manufacturing for metal finishing.
• ChemetallcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChemetall is a global surface treatment technology company. Galva distributes Chemetall's phosphating processes. This is referenced as part of Galva's comprehensive process portfolio.
• Orwek Química S.A. (Original represented company)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrwek Química S.A. was Galva's original and primary represented company at founding in 1983. The company was later acquired by Enthone OMI do Brasil Ltda in early 1999.

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• KCH Group (now Coventya): European specialty surface-treatment chemicals manufacturer (now part of Coventya). Provides a comparable portfolio of plating and finishing chemistries and historically competed with Galva's principals in adjacent regions.
• Chemetall (BASF Coatings):

Broad incumbents

• Atotech (MKS Instruments Surface Treatment): Global leader in surface-treatment chemistry (electroplating, electroless, passivation, decorative finishes) and a current principal of Galva's distribution business. Overlaps Galva's portfolio but serves OEMs and large job shops directly across multiple continents at far greater scale.
• DuPont Electronics & Industrial: Diversified global chemicals and materials supplier with industrial surface-treatment offerings. Competes with Galva in selected high-spec chemistries while serving much larger end markets including electronics, automotive, and aerospace.
• Henkel Surface Treatment: Diversified industrial and consumer chemicals company with a sizable surface-treatment business (Bonderite). Overlaps Galva's product lines within a much broader portfolio and competes for the same industrial OEM and job-shop customers globally.
• MacDermid Enthone Electronics Solutions: Global specialty chemicals supplier for electronics and industrial surface finishing. Successor to Enthone OMI (Galva's former principal after the 1999 Orwek acquisition). Competes with Galva's third-party-branded lines and serves many of the same end markets.

Regional players

• Tecnicor Indústria Química: Brazilian specialty chemical producer focused on industrial cleaners, degreasers, and surface-treatment formulations. Comparable to Galva in product overlap (degreasers, cleaners, metal-finishing chemistries) and geographic focus on the Brazilian market.
• Coral Química Industrial: Brazilian manufacturer of industrial chemicals including surface-treatment and finishing products. Direct domestic competitor to Galva with overlapping product range and a similar customer base of Brazilian metal-finishing operations.

Direct peers

• Coventya: Privately held French specialty chemicals manufacturer producing electroplating, passivation, and surface-treatment chemistries (zinc, nickel, chrome, decorative and functional finishes). Highly comparable to Galva in product portfolio, customer base (industrial metal finishers), and channel model of regional distribution with technical service.
• SurTec: German specialty chemicals producer for decorative and functional surface treatment (zinc, nickel, chrome, anodizing). Closely comparable product portfolio and customer base to Galva, with similar technical-service-driven distribution model in regional markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/galva

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Galva