Precious metals strippers for efficient production - an overview

11 May 2026

Metal Deposition Solutions

Precious metals are a major factor in both cost and sustainability. That is why it is worthwhile to consistently recover them wherever they serve no purpose. Stripping processes help remove precious metal coatings from substrates or process materials in a controlled process – laying the foundations for profitable recovery and a more circular approach to surface technology.

Customized solutions for specific needs

A structured approach to handling parts and process materials containing precious metals pays off. This allows to reduce losses and efficiently recover precious metals from these example applications:

Rejects and reworked parts
e.g. incorrect coatings, damaged sample parts
Contacts & auxiliary tools
e.g. contact strips, wires, racks
Equipment/maintenance
e.g. equipment components such as rollers or protective devices
Continuous processes such as line/R2R systems
e.g. run-off or transition areas

^{Over time, precious metals can also accumulate on Reel-to-Reel systems (rollers or guide elements).}

Umicore MDS - Precious Metal Stripper Portfolio - Cost-effective recovery of gold, silver, palladium and platinum - Overview

Anodic strippers

The anodic strippers 638 and 648 offer maximum controllability: They are activated by the current and only strip when current is applied. The stripping rate increases with current density, enabling short processing times. Anodic systems are ideal for applications requiring fast and precise stripping (e.g., selective areas in continuous/R2R environments).

Chemical strippers

The chemical strippers 647 and 640 operate without an external power source. This can be particularly advantageous when parts are complex or when geometries/shielding would prevent uniform current distribution: Chemical systems often enable more uniform stripping regardless of current density effects – a plus for many practical setups in production and the lab.

Which method works best for your process?

Cyanide-free form of supply

Cyanide-free forms of supply can offer advantages in terms of operational handling or help ensure compliance with import, export, and transit restrictions.

Umicore MDS - Precious Metal Stripper Portfolio - Cost-effective recovery of gold, silver, palladium and platinum - Cyanide-containing form of supply

Cyanide-containing form of supply

Cyanide-containing forms of supply may be more efficient for facilities that already have established structures, infrastructure and routines for handling cyanide-containing process chemicals.

Which supply form is suitable for your business?

Benefit from what is likely the largest selection of precious metal strippers

Whether it’s gold, silver, palladium or platinum – you’ll find the right, powerful precious metal stripper in our portfolio. Would you like to clarify which variant is best suited for your application and can be integrated into your existing processes (production, line system, lab/R&D)? We look forward to hearing from you so we can provide you with detailed information.

We would also be happy to put you in touch with the Agosi refinery (Allgemeine Gold- und Silberscheideanstalt AG) in Pforzheim. As part of the Umicore Group, it handles the commercial recovery of the precious metal dissolved by the strippers as part of a recycling/refining process. This means that with the Umicore Group, you have the opportunity to cover the entire precious metal cycle.