Aluminum die-cast components play a key role in today’s automotive industry. They must be lightweight, robust, and highly precise, while also meeting demanding requirements for bonding, painting, and welding.
At the same time, these components are becoming increasingly complex. Structural parts, battery housings, or e-drive units are no longer stand-alone components but part of a highly integrated vehicle architecture.
The quality of such parts depends not only on the die-casting process itself, but above all on the precise coordination between release agents and downstream surface treatment.
This is precisely where the collaboration between SurTec and Chem-Trend comes into play. As sister companies under the umbrella of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities, they combine their expertise to deliver integrated process solutions for aluminum die casting – as a one-stop solution and with a view to tomorrow’s requirements.
SurTec and Chem-Trend work closely together to drive the development of innovative solutions in surface treatment and release agent technology. Both companies bring decades of expertise in their respective fields: Chem-Trend as a leading manufacturer of mold release agents, and SurTec as a specialist in chemical surface treatment.
In joint projects, specialists from both companies test various combinations of release agents and post-treatment processes – with the goal of identifying which systems work together most effectively.
The result is a continuous process chain for aluminum die-cast components that meets even the most demanding industry requirements.
The requirements in today’s industry are so ambitious and complex that they can only be successfully met through collaborative solutions involving multiple experts.
Key Account Manager Die Cast Europe at Chem-Trend
While Chem-Trend optimizes the die-casting process with innovative release agents, SurTec focuses on the reliable surface treatment of aluminum die-cast components prior to bonding, painting, or welding.
With comprehensive know-how in all post-treatment steps, SurTec supports the industry in achieving consistently high-quality results along the entire process chain:
Cleaning: Removes release agent residues and other contaminants, creating a clean surface with good adhesion properties.
Etching: Creates a homogeneous, reactive surface – the ideal preparation for the subsequent passivation step.
Passivation: Enhances corrosion resistance in the uncoated state, reduces surface resistance for improved weldability, and ensures optimal adhesion for paints and adhesives.
Learn more about the chromium(III)-containing passivation SurTec 650 here:
To ensure quality, SurTec relies on established and practice-oriented testing methods:
The compatibility between release agents and surface treatment is key to ensuring that aluminum die-cast components can be reliably bonded, painted, or welded. That’s why SurTec – in close cooperation with Chem-Trend – explores one central question:
Through close collaboration and extensive testing, the two companies develop integrated processes as a one-stop solution. These meet the highest standards for safety, efficiency, and quality – particularly in the e-mobility sector, where large and complex aluminum structural components must be manufactured with maximum reliability and consistency.
Together with Chem-Trend, we offer our customers solutions that go beyond individual process steps. Our coordinated systems create true synergies – ensuring stable processes and reproducible results in series production.
R&D Engineer Industrial Parts Cleaning at SurTec
The cooperation between SurTec and Chem-Trend clearly shows how interdisciplinary collaboration within the Freudenberg Group generates real added value.
By combining expertise in release agents and surface treatment, the two companies develop integrated solutions for the aluminum die-casting industry – with the goal of making processes more efficient, more sustainable, and more reliable in terms of quality.
Learn more about SurTec and Chem-Trend’s joint research in aluminum die casting:
Come see us in Nuremberg from January 13–15 at EUROGUSS 2026. SurTec and Chem-Trend look forward to connecting with you at booth 7A-110!
