Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA
Coating Systems and Paint Technology
Organic Coating Systems – Efficient, Flexible, Sustainable.
Organic coating systems form the foundation of modern surface technology and engineering. They offer a high degree of technological flexibility, enable a broad range of applications, and are essential for delivering durable, high-performance products.
Holistic Process Analysis
At Fraunhofer IPA, we drive innovation across the entire coating technology value chain: from developing advanced coatings and components to modeling and simulation to efficient application in the coating process. Throughout this process, we consider material and process factors to ensure robust, optimized solutions.
Sustainability through Durability
Through our developments and use of innovative materials, we actively contribute to sustainability by extending product service life. A key focus of our research is improving resource and energy efficiency, for example, by developing coating systems based on renewable biomaterials.
Our Research Focus Areas
Development of Pigments and Coatings
- Modification of fillers
- Functionalization of pigments
- Development of novel components for weather-resistant and functional coatings
- Nanoscale corrosion protection
- Development of bio-based pigments and fillers
- Stratified coating structures for highly efficient coating systems
- Integration of intrinsic laser marking in coatings
Dispersion Technology
- Optimization, processing, and stabilization of nanoparticles
- Development of advanced material combinations, formulations, and processing methods to produce homogeneous, agglomerate-free, high-quality dispersions
Powder Application Technology
- Highly efficient powder spraying systems with minimal powder segregation
- Robust closed-loop powder coating process
- Gun-free high-speed powder coating with infrared curing
- Mask-free, selective powder coating
Coating Application Technology
- Research into innovative applications for novel and alternative coating raw materials
- Development of bio-based, VOC-free coating materials
- Development of sustainable corrosion protection concepts
- Analysis of structure-property relationships
- Development of photocatalytic active coatings
Wet Coating Application
- Development and optimization of industrial spray coating processes
- Overspray-free, mask-free coating processes
- Optical (laser-based) measurement technology for coating application processes
Innovative Coating Processes
- Automated design of coating processes
- AI-driven coating technology and self-learning coating processes
- CO2-neutral, climate-friendly coating processes
SelfPaint - The fully automatic painting cell
Climate neutrality, CO2 footprint & environmental protection
Research Across the Entire Coating Technology Process Value Chain
Whether compact development orders or complex consortium-based research projects, we develop tailor-made solutions to meet the requirements of our partners in industry and research across the entire coating technology value chain.
Simulation Technology as a Key Enabler for Efficient and Sustainable Coating Processes
Advanced coating technologies require a deep understanding of the process – this is where simulation technology serves as a powerful, research-driven tool. Using targeted numerical simulations, complex interactions in coating processes can be analyzed, visualized, and systematically optimized. Simulation, therefore, not only provides deeper scientific insights but also significantly improves efficiency and sustainability in industrial applications.