Surface news

DECHEMA has named Dr. Klaus Schäfer an honorary member. The professional association is thereby recognizing his many years of dedication and his work to foster collaboration between science and industry. The award was presented during the celebrations marking DECHEMA’s 100th anniversary.

Axalta has selected "Redefined" as the 2027 Global Auto Color of the Year. The deep ruby-red automotive paint combines luminosity with subtle glossy effects and is an evolution of "Radiant Red," the color with which the company launched its annual color initiative 13 years ago.

The SKZ continues to expand its international network and is receiving support from Japan. This expansion is intended to strengthen collaboration in research, development, and continuing education related to plastics.

Abstracts for the European Coatings Show Conference 2027 may be submitted until September 18, 2026. We are seeking unpublished research findings and technological developments in areas such as coating and paint technology, as well as digitalization.

How practical is AI-powered robotic painting today? Oliver Bayer and Giuseppe Palopoli from Gohm + Graf Hardenberg took a close look at the Sehon AI revolution during the workshop. In the video, they discuss the shortage of skilled workers, paint quality, process reliability, and the question of…

AI and robotics are intended to make the painting process more efficient and reduce the workload on skilled workers. In the video, Timo Sehon explains what the company has learned from its first five workshops with its painting robot—and why spot painting, material savings, and the software in…

569 attendees, around 70 exhibitors, and a program featuring 95 technical presentations: The ZVO Surface Technology Days, held for the first time in Karlsruhe, showcased an industry that is aware of its challenging operating conditions—yet is simultaneously taking very concrete steps toward its…

The shutdown of Leuna Polyamid could cost an additional 30 million euros. Following the failed search for investors, the chemical plant in Leuna is being phased out. The closure will also affect the chemical site’s materials and energy network. Co-partner Leuna-Harze produces, among other things,…

Evonik plans to close two smaller sites in Hamburg and Bitterfeld in 2027 and consolidate operations there at larger German sites. The moves will affect the cosmetics and personal care products and chlorosilanes divisions. Customer supply will continue through the Essen and Rheinfelden sites.

At Aluminium 2026, Henkel will showcase new and improved Bonderite solutions for pretreatment, anodizing, and compaction. The focus will be on lower process temperatures, chromium-free processes, and a new rinse-free bonding agent.

Traxit Wire Lubrication will be integrated into Surtec's organizational structure effective January 1, 2027. With this move, the company is expanding its portfolio from metal pretreatment and parts cleaning to include lubricants and coatings for wire drawing and cold forming.

Covestro has opened a pilot plant in Leverkusen that chemically breaks down waste elastomers and recovers their building blocks for reuse. Technical elastomers are used in numerous high-wear and high-stress applications, including surface engineering.

Palbit is expanding its in-house coating capabilities with another CC800 HiPIMS system from Cemecon. This fifth system from the Portuguese tool manufacturer is also the 500th coating system that Cemecon has commissioned.

At Aluminium 2026 in Düsseldorf, SurTec will showcase processes for the surface treatment of aluminum. The portfolio ranges from pretreatment and passivation to anodizing and includes applications for the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries.

The Central Association for Surface Technology (ZVO) has issued a position paper on the Electricity Security Platform. In it, the association calls for clear limits on mandatory load reductions for industrial consumers and warns of the consequences for electricity-intensive processes in…

The 20th International Conference on Plasma Surface Engineering (PSE2026) brought together 638 participants and 73 exhibitors in Erfurt from August 31 to September 3. The conference focused on plasma and surface technologies for energy applications, as well as the transfer of new processes from…

The Association for the Surface Finishing of Aluminum (VOA) is offering two digital training courses in November 2026. The courses will focus on coating and QUALICOAT, as well as the process chain for aluminum anodizing.

Axalta showcased a connected refinish system at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026. New features include the Irus AutoDose automatic paint mixing solution and a UV-A system for faster spot repairs and minor damage repairs.

At Serfilco, Samir Ait Ahmed is taking over sales and marketing for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. At the same time, the magnetically coupled SG series is replacing the previous ST series and offers a wider range of options for different conveying capacities.

AI-Based Robotics for Automated Wet Painting of Complex Components and Batch Size 1. A robot that scans complex components and independently generates and executes painting paths is pushing the current boundaries of automated painting. The system impressed seasoned professionals at workshops hosted…