Chemeon and SurTec Establish Transatlantic Alliance Focused on Trivalent Surface Technologies

April 24, 2026

U.S.-based Chemeon Surface Technology and Germany‑based SurTec have formed a strategic transatlantic alliance aimed at expanding the availability and technical support of trivalent surface treatment chemistries in regulated industrial markets, including aerospace and defense.

Under the agreement, Chemeon will make selected SurTec surface treatment products available in the U.S., while SurTec will distribute Chemeon technologies internationally through its established global infrastructure. Both companies emphasize reciprocal access rather than consolidation, positioning the alliance as a market‑access and support arrangement rather than a merger or acquisition.

A central technical driver of the partnership is the continued global phase‑out of hexavalent chromium. The alliance broadens access to MIL‑DTL‑81706B Qualified Products List (QPL) chemistries, including Chemeon’s proprietary eTCP® trivalent conversion coating technology and SurTec’s 650‑series trivalent systems. These coatings are designed for corrosion protection of aluminum and other substrates commonly used in defense aircraft structures, ground vehicles, and support equipment.

Operationally, the companies plan to integrate SurTec’s U.S. operations with Chemeon’s Center of Technical Excellence in Nevada. This site will serve as a hub for technical training, analytical testing, and customer support related to trivalent conversion coatings and anodizing processes. The alliance also includes cross‑training of sales and technical teams and coordinated activities in research, testing, and technical outreach.

For defense contractors and sustainment organizations, the alliance addresses two persistent challenges: qualification continuity and regional technical support during chromate replacement programs. By aligning MIL‑qualified chemistries with localized expertise on both sides of the Atlantic, the partnership may reduce qualification risk and implementation variability for programs operating across U.S. and European supply chains.

While the companies did not announce new product development timelines, the structured collaboration suggests a focus on consistent process control, specification compliance, and workforce training —factors that remain critical as trivalent systems mature from compliance alternatives into production‑standard finishes.

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