Surface news

Germany’s industrial sector is facing growing pressure from high energy prices and new supply risks. With no realistic path back in energy policy, hydrogen is moving to the forefront as the leading alternative. In today’s top story, we look at the progress Fraunhofer FEP has made on bipolar plates…

The 35th Dresden Powder Symposium once again showcased the technological breadth of modern powder coating—from automation and process measurement technology to pretreatment and corrosion protection to energy analysis and retrofitting. Dr. Thomas Herrmann also announced that the IFO Institute for…

Around 270 participants and 45 exhibitors have registered, and there is also a promising program with practical relevance: the 35th Dresden Powder Symposium is about to begin. User reports, best practice examples, and key industry topics will be discussed.

Interstuhl has launched the new Texon, a specialized work chair for clean rooms, laboratories, and ESD areas. To this end, it must meet specific requirements in terms of function, hygiene, and durability. This is made possible by a specially developed powder coating.

Despite the weak industrial economy and ongoing uncertainties, the new VOA member survey reveals a remarkably diverse picture of the surface sector. While many companies are still under pressure, capacity utilization and incoming orders remain surprisingly stable - and a quarter of companies are…

For years, the buzzword "Industry 4.0" dominated debates about the future of production - with many visions but little substance in day-to-day business. Now the rapid development of artificial intelligence shows how quickly technological hype can turn into tangible progress. And even where it is…

parts2clean 2025 defies the industry's restraint with a strong message: industrial parts cleaning is still on the agenda - more focused, more international, more relevant than ever.

560 participants and over 70 exhibitors - the ZVO Surface Days 2025 provide strong impetus: Artificial intelligence, digital process management and sustainable technologies - the buzzwords at this year's ZVO Surface Days sounded like progress. However, the context remains difficult: energy prices,…

The German Environmental Award 2025 goes to ZINQ - for the systematic transformation of its processes and products towards a circular economy. Planet ZINQ shows that sustainable transformation is possible on an industrial scale - technologically feasible, economically viable and open to other…

From fully electrified paint shops to flexible line-free production, automotive manufacturers are rethinking process design. New systems reduce idle times, lower energy demand and establish CO₂ reduction as an industry standard.

CO₂-neutral paint shop, intelligent process management, energy self-sufficiency: with the new plant in Debrecen, BMW is realizing a vision of the future that will not only change its own production network. The industry is watching closely.

How can you achieve flawless, long-lasting surfaces while keeping production costs low? The secret lies in smart automation and advanced analytics that monitor every step of the process.

The ECHA's restriction proposal for chromium(VI), which was recently published for comment, contains inconsistent exposure values for different substrates and is based on dubious statistical data. In addition, the calculation of the economic benefits allegedly achievable through the restriction is…

GDS1 was able to put a new powder coating booth into operation thanks to a donation from a well-known plant manufacturer - such collaborations are crucial for the competitiveness of our industry. After all, only optimally trained specialists can help companies to maintain and expand their…

Focus on sustainability and international exchange - UV Days 2025 draws a positive balance. IST METZ can look back on an all-round successful event. With around 1,000 visitors from 30 countries and 44 exhibitors, the industry event offered an international platform for innovation, exchange and…

Key topics at the 30th "Stuttgart Industry Get-Together: Paint - Varnish - Surface": Only a few exceptions are to be expected for PFAS - the situation remains very serious. And when it comes to microplastics, companies can expect an unfinished tangle of definitions, obligations and deadlines.…

Artificial intelligence is also on the rise in surface technology. Participants at the DFO conference "European Automotive & Plastics Coating" in Mörfelden were able to gain an insight into current projects.

Record number of registrations: LIGNA 2025 (May 26 to 30 in Hanover) will once again be the international hotspot for the wood and furniture industry and clearly shows that surface technology is undergoing a profound transformation. Developments are focusing intensively on sustainability,…

Premiere: A carbon-neutral future with maximum efficiency and renewable energies - this is actually possible and can also be implemented economically. This is demonstrated by a paint store from Bad Aibling, which consistently relies on renewable energy and a holistic consumption and supply concept…

Digital product passport: opportunity or bureaucratic challenge? The digital product passport is coming - it will be mandatory for the first product groups from 2026. In the surface industry in particular, it poses considerable challenges for the predominantly medium-sized companies. However, the…