The inorganic metal finishing industry (IMFT) is an inseparable part of the production cycle (from metal ore extraction to its end application) of any metal component. As these technologies enhance a component?s capabilities, in terms of corrosion and wear resistance, bonding and appearance, they play a crucial role in the success of a metal component in service.

Growth of this industry is driven by its application areas, of which the rapid expansion of its applications in the electronics industry as well as the growth of the electronics industry have been one of the key drivers. The demand for reducing environmental and health hazards caused by these technologies has led to an increase in research activities. Attempts constantly are being made to bring about innovations and alternatives to these technologies.

This BCC study determines the current status of the worldwide inorganic metal finishing technologies industry and assesses its growth potential through 2010. The report focuses on key inorganic metal finishing technologies along with their growth potential. It also explores various existing IMFT applications as well as the upcoming verticals that could give a boost to the inorganic metal finishing industry.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• Detailed descriptions of the major types of IMFTs, such as electroplating, galvanizing, anodizing, electroless plating, conversion coatings, cladding and electropolishing
• Discussion of the industry?s key growth drivers, inhibitors and potential growth areas
• Discussion of surface preprocessing, costs that are included in the market estimates for all the IMFTs
• Projections of worldwide IMFT markets by technology, application verticals and geography with forecasts to 2010
• Details of the regulatory environment and value chain, as well as a patent overview.

METHODOLOGY

BCC presents an analysis of the IMFT market by estimating the revenues generated in each of the application areas of IMFT, and the respective growth of each application area in 2004. Based on a survey of industry experts and companies involved in different IMFTs, we have analyzed and estimated the growth prospects of the industry. On the basis of this analysis, we have estimated the revenue figures for the 2005 to 2010 period.

Each of the IMFT application areas has been analyzed separately to arrive at the estimates for the IMFT market as a whole. The industry has been evaluated based on the technologies in use, and also, by the applications that use these technologies, so as to present a complete picture.

INFORMATION SOURCES

BCC conducted a survey of approximately 35 companies to obtain data for this study; associations dealing with surface preparation and engineering as well as publishers in this domain were also included. Interviews and discussions with industry experts helped us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the IMFT market and to formulate our market estimates. Data from some of the company financials, industry associations, and government sources, was also used and analyzed