This Japanese precious metal manufacturer is leading the development of metal plating for smartphone connectors

Semiconductors and charging connectors are indispensable for smartphones, personal computers, and digital home appliances. Right now, metal plating is attracting attention as a technology that will support the improved performance of such products.

Supporting the plating processing of these advanced materials is EEJA Ltd., a member of TANAKA that provides precious metal plating technology, including plating solutions, plating equipment, and other related chemical products. The company has established bases in China, Silicon Valley, and other locations to provide a variety of solutions for metal plating.

The increase in plating demand and the continued evolution of smartphones

Metal plating is a technology in which a thin layer of metal is deposited on the surface of a material. It is generally known for its use in preventing discoloration and for decorative purposes. However, it is also widely used in electronic devices to add conductivity, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and other properties, as well as to facilitate micro-fabrication.

"At EEJA, we are particularly focused on plating using precious metals. For example, connectors for smartphones are plated using precious metals such as silver, platinum, and palladium. With plating, the cost of the precious metals used is actually higher than the cost of the plating process itself," Toru Shoji, the president and CEO of EEJA, said. "That is why we are expected to reduce the amount of precious metals used and lower the cost while still producing the required characteristics."  

Digital devices, such as smartphones, are evolving at an extremely rapid pace. In particular, the connectors essential for charging undergo specifications that change almost every year, and manufacturing requirements are becoming increasingly demanding. For example, power output support when charging has increased from 20W to 120W. Furthermore, cost reduction is also expected. Against this background, in 2021, the price of rhodium, a precious metal used in connectors, rose sharply.

Rhodium, which had previously cost around 3,000 Japanese yen, about $20, per gram in 2014, skyrocketed to 100,000 JPY in March 2021. While other companies were looking for alternatives to the prohibitively expensive rhodium, EEJA was one of the first to utilize platinum-group metals to achieve similar performance. As a result, the company has more than doubled its global market share for the precious metal plating technologies used in smartphone connectors to approximately 67%, according to the company's own research.

Expanding into the global market and developing technological and procurement capabilities

EEJA has also been expanding globally in recent years. The catalyst for this expansion was the acquisition of Switzerland-based Metalor Technologies International SA by TANAKA in 2016. Since then, the number of overseas bases has increased, and EEJA alone now has a presence in 15 locations around the world.

The strongest among them is in China, a major producer of smartphones. There, EEJA manufactures and supports plating solutions and equipment for semiconductors and connectors. One of the reasons why EEJA is chosen here is its strong development capabilities. EEJA is able to develop products tailored to the client's needs. In overseas markets, local group companies manufacture products using plating-solution recipes developed by EEJA.

In addition, another strength is the high procurement capabilities of the TANAKA. Due to how the TANAKA recycles precious metals, including recovery, there has never been a time when it has had trouble with procurement, even in cases where it is difficult to procure rare metals and other materials due to conflicts.

In addition to China, EEJA is also proceeding with expansion into North America, Europe, and elsewhere, with strategies tailored to each region. For example, in the North American market, EEJA is focusing on the semiconductor industry and has opened a laboratory in Silicon Valley. In addition to semiconductors, EEJA also has expectations for the market for connectors aimed at the aerospace industry.

"We have high expectations for power semiconductors used in voltage conversion and other applications. They are used in all electronic products, from smartphones to EVs," Shoji said."As they generate considerable heat, it is not enough for us to be good only at plating. The overall strength of the entire TANAKA will be key to our success." 

EEJA has gained a high market share by developing low-cost products that take full advantage of the properties of each precious metal element and by recycling through the recovery of precious metals. In addition, as part of its green chemical initiatives, EEJA is also focusing on the development of cyanide-free plating solutions that do not use cyanide compounds, which are harmful to the human body. EEJA's cutting-edge metal plating technologies will continue to lead the market, thanks to the collective strength of the TANAKA.

Click here for more information on TANAKA.

Click here for more information on EEJA.

This post was created by TANAKA with Insider Studios.