TE Connectivity introduces ECONIDUR connector contact plating for improved sustainability and durability

With ECONIDUR plated connector contacts, TE offers measurable sustainability benefits and stable performance while maintaining high quality standards

GALWAY, Ireland – July 1, 2025 – TE Connectivity (TE), a global leader in connectivity and sensor solutions, is introducing a breakthrough connector contact plating technology: The ECONIDUR surface plating is designed to reduce traditional precious metal layers in contact surfaces and helps to significantly lower CO₂ emissions while maintaining uncompromised quality standards. The name ECONIDUR mirrors the advantages of this nickel-phosphorous based plating: the contact finish is more ECOlogically friendly due to having a lower product carbon footprint, based on the NIckel-phosporous plating stack excellent performance in DURability is conserved. The high-performance ECONIDUR plated contacts solution supports engineers with superior vibration resistance and reliability for demanding applications. Recently developed measurement methods help to ensure high quality in process and product reliability. “TE’s ECONIDUR plating is a well-designed nickel-phosphorus plating (NiP) that utilizes a sophisticated stack configuration. This is the key to high quality, and excellent performance”, said Andrea Colombo, product manager at TE. Meeting increasing customer requirements Whether it is high signal integrity or high vibration resistance, customer expectations have risen significantly. In most industrial applications, improved protection against vibration, fretting and corrosion is essential. This is why choosing the right plating is so important today. ECONIDUR plated connectors will function reliably in many industrial applications over a long period of time, e.g. in automation control applications and motor control systems. They support reliable signal transmission up to several Gbit/s and feature withstand capabilities in terms of vibration in the long-term, gas influences and micro friction. Notable advantages through a sophisticated stack configuration The key to this high quality and outstanding performance is the layer structure: ECONIDUR contacts are plated with a skillfully engineered Nickel-Phosphorus plating (NiP) that utilizes a sophisticated stack configuration. Overall, ECONIDUR plating reaches in minimum the same characteristics as a precious metal plating layer. For fretting and vibration resistance, ECONIDUR plated products are a reliable choice. According to TE internal analysis and calculations in alignment with ISO standards (14067/14040/44), CO2 emissions decrease heavily for over 44% compared to a precious metal plating, depending on layer thicknesses, performance level and connector type – thus contributing to greener manufacturing and supply chains. This decarbonized product helps customers meet their sustainability goals. Although it is a new plating, the process and product quality is maintained. TE has developed a set of measurement methods to quantify the layer thickness and structure. More information about TE's ECONIDUR plated connector contacts at https://www.te.com/en/products/connectors/intersection/econidur-plating.html?te_bu=Ind&te_type=pr&te_campaign=oth_deu_ind-oth-emea-pr-econidur-press-release_sma-4148_17&elqCampaignId=221948

About TE Connectivity TE Connectivity is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions help enable the distribution of power, signal and data to advance next-generation transportation, renewable energy, automated factories, data centers, medical technology and more. With more than 85,000 employees, including 8,000 engineers, working alongside customers in approximately 140 countries, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). TE Connectivity, TE, TE connectivity (logo), SCHAFFNER, SENSE, INTERCONTEC, MicroBridge, SpeedTec and EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS are trademarks owned or licensed by the TE Connectivity Ltd. family of companies. All other logos, products and/or company names referred to herein might be trademarks of their respective owners.