Beyond the bull years

Industry in Europe is increasingly required to invest in sustainability and modern technologies. Investing in the future often means that it is necessary to think well beyond the next two years. This is the only way to implement technological leaps and fundamental improvements. But how will trouble spots evolve on an international scale, from endangered democracies to real conflicts? Who can predict the consequences?

The VDMA, at any rate, is recording a sales increase of eight percent for surface technology in 2022 and expects nominal sales growth of six percent for 2023. The association sees reasons for this in new customer industries, for example in battery production. The maintenance business is also increasing and demand for automation and digitization is growing. On the other hand, there is considerable uncertainty in the market and the awarding of contracts is very hesitant. In addition, the current reluctance of end consumers to spend is dampening their appetite for investment. Added to this are ever-increasing bureaucratic burdens.

When the outlook is unclear, sometimes the only thing that helps is expedient optimism - because things have to get better at some point. And those who are technologically up to date then have excellent prospects. The Corrosion Protection Summit in Frankfurt provided many interesting ideas; you can read the detailed follow-up report starting on page 32 of the current issue of mo magazine. The presentations showed in many respects what potential for improvement there is in coating processes. For example, with regard to the many possibilities for improving costs, quality and environmental balance through wastewater- and waste-free closed-loop zinc-nickel processes. An interesting alternative to cogeneration with wood gas from very inexpensive wood chips was also presented. Other speakers dealt with the PFAS problem as well as corrosion problems in electronic components in e-mobility AI and augmented reality are also gaining more presence in the surface industry. In the current issue of mo, starting on page 20, we present a highly complex painting system that in the future will independently work out the order sequence using intelligent algorithms. And starting on page 28, our report on the IPA's learning electroplating facility in Stuttgart shows the possibilities and potential that digitization is already opening up in electroplating today. The fact that sustainability as a primary corporate strategy can be very successful in difficult times is shown by the example of a company specializing in circularity starting on page 28, which achieved its best corporate results ever during the pandemic phase and is able to meet its need for skilled workers. The issue of a shortage of skilled workers is more acute than ever, read more about the challenges in the area of training - and why it is so important that companies massively increase their commitment in this area - starting on page 12 in issue 6-7/2023.