Particularly in difficult times, trade fairs often generate a positive spirit of optimism; I would just like to remind you of the downright euphoria at the first PaintExpo after the Corona period. There is an interesting detail in this context. In 2022, PaintExpo was the catalyst for the plant concept and the subsequent founding of the contract coating company NanoCoat, which we report on in a detailed article in this issue. The exciting thing about this story is that shortly after a huge crisis and with another major crisis looming, two founders took the plunge from secure employment to set up a contract coating company.
Many people close to the two founders and even the contractors thought this was a daring move, to put it mildly. In any case, the system concept was finalized at the trade fair in Karlsruhe. Today, after just over a year of operation, the company has already switched to two-shift operation and the order books are full to the brim.
Through the crisis with expertise
This example shows that even in really tough times, success stories are possible with an accurate needs analysis and the necessary expertise. You can read all about it on page 20 of our current issue, and you can find a detailed video interview at nanocoat.oberflaeche.de.
Of course, PaintExpo is a central focal point in this issue; from page 51 onwards, our trade fair special will inform you about the most important exhibitor highlights. You can find even more innovations and the latest information about the trade fair in our online trade fair special at paintexpo2024.oberflaeche.de
The lecture season opened with the Powder Symposium in Dresden and also provided technological innovations in the field of application technology and other relevant topics, from recycled aluminum to the CO2 footprint, in anticipation of PaintExpo. Read more about this in our follow-up report in issue 4 from page 12.
Efficiency and sustainability have been an important topic in our industry not only since the high energy prices, but the efforts to reduce CO2 within the EU are increasing the pressure here. In addition, the ongoing developments in Germany regarding the supply of energy and the strategies of the government in this regard may well cause a certain degree of concern. That is why, in perspective, the best energy is all the more the energy that does not have to be consumed. And so this issue also addresses numerous efficiency topics - from rotational coating and practical examples of the use of faster-drying low-temperature coatings for mechanical engineering applications to primers that make it possible to create corrosion-resistant coatings on edges that have not been deburred.
A new process for KTL coil coating is also very exciting. The patent-pending process was initially developed to minimize the layer thickness required for the insulation of flat wires for electric motors, but it also offers further application prospects - read more about this highly efficient coating approach in many respects from page 38 in issue 4. I hope to see you in Karlsruhe - and happy working!
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