A METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A SURFACE OF A NON-CONDUCTIVE OR CARBON-FIBRES CONTAINING SUBSTRATE FOR METALLIZATION

The present invention relates to a method for activating a surface of a non-conductive or carbon-fibres containing substrate for metallization, the method comprising the steps (a) providing said substrate, (b) providing an aqueous, palladium-free activation composition comprising (i) a first species of dissolved transition metal ions and additionally metal particles thereof, (ii) one or more than one complexing agent, (iii) permanently or temporarily one or more than one reducing agent, (iv) optionally one or more than one second species of dissolved metal ions being different from the first species, wherein - at least of the first species, the dissolved transition metal ions and the metal particles thereof are present in a reversible equilibrium, with the proviso that - the metal particles are formed from the dissolved transition metal ions through a continuous or semi-continuous reduction through the one or more than one reducing agent, - the dissolved transition metal ions are formed from the metal particl