Surface news

Kabe Farben expands its portfolio to include PFAS-free fine-textured powder coatings. The entire range is now available without perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances—with no change to performance or processing.

Erma Concept presents automated painting lines that combine high volumes, precise application, and optimized production processes—including testing and training services.

UV technology manufacturer Hoenle has developed new LED heads for its bluepoint LED eco LED UV curing device. These combine higher intensity with more compact dimensions.

More than a year before the event begins, LIGNA 2027 reports a very high booking rate: over 80 percent of the exhibition space has already been allocated.

Up to four tons of RFNBO-certified hydrogen per day for industry and heavy-duty transport are produced at Lhyfe's fourth European production facility.

The Cleaning Excellence Center (CEC) in Leonberg will once again be conducting a laboratory ring test for particulate measurement systems in accordance with VDA 19.1 in 2026. The test is scheduled to start in May 2026, and the registration deadline is April 30.

Plasmatreat GmbH, a specialist in atmospheric plasma technology for surface pretreatment, is exhibiting for the first time at Fensterbau Frontale in Nuremberg.

Horst Erbel, the long-standing CEO of Pero, has passed away. He shaped the industrial parts cleaning company for more than six decades.

With the acquisition of its distribution partner MEI, ViscoTec is establishing its own branch in Mexico. The dosing technology specialist is thus strengthening its presence in North and Central America and moving closer to important industrial customers.

Venjakob Maschinenbau will be demonstrating its system expertise in automatic coating systems at PaintExpo 2026 – from heavy-duty projects in wind energy to precision robotics solutions for glass packaging.

At PaintExpo 2026 in Karlsruhe, Oltrogge will be combining coating technology and compressed air to create integrated system solutions. The focus will be on efficient mixing and dosing technology as well as reliable high-gloss applications.

BASF is gradually increasing the production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) at its Ludwigshafen site, thereby securing supplies for European customers along the entire acetylene value chain. BDO is a key raw material for numerous industrial and anti-corrosion coatings.

Eisenmann is expanding its automation portfolio for paint shops with the flexible E-Gripper Wheel hybrid gripper. The system enables precise, reliable, and gentle handling of wheels for passenger cars and electric vehicles.

With FLUORBEST, a Fraunhofer consortium led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability, LBF is developing an AI-supported evaluation methodology for substituting fluoropolymers in technical applications.

Oellers is working with the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences on bio-based functional substances for anti-corrosion coatings. One of the raw materials used is processed pig manure.

Vapic will be presenting plant and process solutions for industrial pipe and hose cleaning at Tube in Düsseldorf from April 13 to 17, 2026.

Reiter presents the new AGR-E automatic gun for the electrostatic application of coating materials. The focus is on fast changeover times, low weight, and flexible usability.

According to preliminary figures, technotrans improved its revenue and earnings in fiscal year 2025. Growth was driven in particular by applications in the energy management sector and the laser market.

With EcoNextJet, Dürr is introducing an automated application system for direct printing of graphics and lettering in the coating process. The system works with drop-on-demand technology.

Werner Ruhl and Willi Perschbacher, the two founders of Ruhl & Co. GmbH, passed away in January 2026. Their work shaped the development of today's B+T Group in the field of surface technology.