In an announcement Friday, Nucor said it has acquired a minority stake in Indiana-based Trion Coatings LLC and will build a pilot facility at Nucor Fastener in St. Joe, Ind. Nucor holds an exclusive license to use the technology on long steel products.

"We are very excited to invest in this cutting-edge technology, working together with Trion Coatings and the University of Notre Dame to create a much safer work environment, and advancing this technology to the commercial level," said Nucor chairman and chief executive John Ferriola. "As the nation's largest recycler, we are constantly looking for ways to increase the sustainability of our business and reduce the impact on our environment."

Trion Coatings’ electroplating process uses trivalent chromium salts and a proprietary ionic liquid solution in place of the traditional chrome plating chemicals.

“The process allows for greater electroplating speeds, improved wear resistance and overall higher performance than the traditional chrome plating process, while offering an excellent health and safety profile,” Nucor said.

Trion Coatings was started at the University of Notre Dame's IDEA Center, its business and technology incubator. The university holds a minority stake in the business.

Middleburg Capital Development is the majority equity holder. Middleburg Capital Development is a family office that manages the Sutherland family trusts.

"Trion is a prime example of how research at the University of Notre Dame and the IDEA Center's commercializing process work in harmony to foster new frontier research and commercialize it to do bold things for the human community,” said Tim Sutherland, Middleburg Capital Development chairman.