Surface news

BASF has expanded its dispersion production capacity at its Durban site in South Africa. The aim is to provide a more stable supply of dispersions for customers across Africa serving coatings, construction and paper applications.

Dürr will host its Open House from April 21 to 23, 2026. The spotlight will be on concepts for flexible, energy-efficient paint shops and digital solutions designed to optimize processes.

In its anniversary year, FreiLacke will be presenting comprehensive coating system solutions at PaintExpo 2026 – from PFAS-free powder coatings and low-temperature technologies to water-based and UHS liquid coatings and composite innovations.

On April 28 and 29, 2026, the DFO invites you to the Automotive and Plastics Coating Practice Forum at FANUC in Neuhausen a. d. F. – with a focus on automation, AI, and sustainable coating solutions.

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

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.

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.

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.

Hesse GmbH & Co. KG is introducing a digital learning platform. This will enable skilled workers from carpentry and joinery workshops to receive further training in modern painting techniques without having to take long periods of leave from work.

While thyssenkrupp nucera recorded a decline in sales in the first quarter of 2025/26, a major order in the Middle East strengthened the chlor-alkali business. At the same time, a new plant for integrated chlorine and MDI production went into operation in South Korea last year.

PaintExpo 2026 will focus on digital and automated solutions for painting and coating processes. Numerous exhibitors will present practical applications.

With Standox Standofleet HS Pro, Axalta is launching a new HS topcoat system for repairs. Thanks to the addition of innovative binders, flexible drying, and high surface quality, it is suitable for commercial vehicle and industrial applications.

Mankiewicz will be presenting an advanced single-coat solution for industrial applications at PaintExpo 2026. The coating system combines corrosion protection and surface requirements in a single process step.

Feige Lackieranlagen has moved into a new building in Nürtingen. This is intended to create additional capacity for the development, planning, and implementation of painting systems.

Asis will be presenting automation solutions for coating and surface processes at PaintExpo 2026 in Karlsruhe. The focus will be on retrofit concepts, partial powder coating, and software-supported process analyses.

Audi is testing applications based on artificial intelligence for process monitoring and energy saving in the paint shop at its Neckarsulm site. The focus is on pretreatment, cathodic dip coating, and drying.