BEP Surface Technologies, a leading electroplating and surface finishing specialist, has added chemical analysis capabilities to its Manchester R&D laboratory, to drive up productivity and innovation
The investment in a Thermo Fisher Scientific Dionex Inuvion Ion Chromatography (IC) system will enable ion chromatography analysis, a critical technique for separating, identifying, and quantifying components in chemical mixtures.
For the last 25 years, BEP has outsourced this vital process, which has added complexity and extended delivery timelines. However, investing in new equipment and upgrading the chemical laboratory will bring the process in-house, transforming BEP’s analytical capabilities and significantly enhancing operational efficiency and client service.
Now that the Dionex Inuvion IC System is integrated into its operations, BEP has streamlined its workflows, allowing for faster quality control processes and shorter turnaround times.
Increasing internal capacity and reducing lead-times
This new development positions BEP to better serve its clients across aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing sectors, where timely delivery and impeccable surface treatments are essential.
This new development positions BEP to better serve its clients across aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing sectors, where timely delivery and impeccable surface treatments are essential.
“Bringing ion analysis in-house with the Dionex Inuvion IC System is a game-changer for BEP,” said Andrew McClusky, Managing Director at BEP Surface Technologies.
“By eliminating outsourcing, we can deliver projects faster, improve quality, and increase capacity, directly benefiting our clients. This installation aligns with our commitment to innovation and delivering solutions that set new benchmarks in surface technologies.”
Bringing ion analysis in-house is a game-changer for BEP
In industrial applications, such as chrome electroplating, chromatography maintains the balance between additives and impurities in plating baths. It ensures precise monitoring of ions like chloride, sulphate, and fluoride, which affect plating quality. Chromatography enhances product durability, appearance, and compliance with environmental standards by enabling effective electrolyte rebalancing and impurity removal.
The Dionex Inuvion IC System automates key processes, improving speed and precision. Features such as electrolytic suppression and Reagent-Free IC (RFIC) capabilities reduce the need for manual intervention, improving consistency and minimising errors.
Automated eluent generation further streamlines operations, saving time and increasing overall productivity. This combination of automation and precision reduces operational costs, allowing BEP to pass on savings to its clients.
The new system ensures exceptional precision in ion analysis, enhancing the quality and reliability of BEP’s surface finishing and coating applications. It removes impurities and ensures surface treatments meet stringent performance requirements.
“For clients in high-stakes industries such as aerospace and medical devices, this level of quality control directly impacts safety, durability, and efficacy,” added McClusky.
Strengthening partnerships with clients
The new system’s enhanced analytical capabilities and automation reduce lead times on specialist applications by 10 percent, allowing BEP to optimise workflow efficiency and better meet client demands. This expansion enables the company to take on more specialty chemical projects without compromising quality or timelines, further strengthening its partnerships with existing clients and opening new growth opportunities.
The installation also enhances BEP’s ability to utilise brightening solutions such as sodium allyl sulfonate and ammonium carbonate in zinc, chrome, and nickel plating. These solutions produce high-quality, visually appealing coatings that meet the growing demand for durable, attractive electroplated products.