MIRDC Develops Non-Cyanide Electroplating to Eliminate Risks

The risks to electroplaters posed by the use of cyanide prompted MIRDC to develop a non-cyanide electroplating process. The technology was underscored with the filing and acquiring of registration of “Utility Model: Non-Cyanide Gold Electroplating Solution” under UM Application No. 2-2008-000352 which was granted by the Intellectual Property Philippines of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The MIRDC pointed out that the use of cyanide is highly toxic to human and aquatic life even at low concentrations.  Cyanide-free plating processes eliminate the dangers inherent in using cyanide and cyanide compounds.  It leads to clean and safe environment and it is cost effective as it reduces pollution and simplifies waste treatment process.

The developed technology can be applied in metal finishing of different kinds of conductive materials (metals).  It has various applications in the jewelry, furniture, automobile, and metalworking industries, among others.  The cost of chemicals needed for the formulation of the non-cyanide gold plating bath is 17 percent cheaper than the cyanide gold.  Likewise, the non-cyanide gold plating process has simpler waste treatment process and 80 percent lower waste treatment cost.  Hence, the sulfite-based gold solution is a good replacement for cyanide gold plating bath.

Recently, the MIRDC in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD) conducted a training seminar under the Technology Innovation for Commercialization (TECHNICOM) program aimed at promoting non-cyanide electroplating technology.  It was attended by representatives from various companies engaged in plating industry.