OVE actively moves into the future with Technikum

OVE Plasmatec opens its own technical center at the company location in Weil im Schönbuch. The innovative pioneers of high-performance coatings for elastomers aim to actively shape the future of cleaning and coating technology. © Image source: OVE Plasmatec

With the new plasma coating, hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces are created at OVE Plasmatec, for example. © Image source: OVE Plasmatec

OVE Plasmatec is opening its own technical center at the company location in Weil im Schönbuch. The innovative pioneers of high-performance coatings for elastomers aim to actively shape the future of cleaning and coating technology. Extensive stations for simulations as well as powerful testing facilities in close proximity to the production areas provide quick feedback on new ideas. Inquiries often come during times of a looming PFAS ban, driven by new customer projects. This also concerns the future of mobility.

"In our technical center with short distances to production, we take the future of coatings into our own hands," emphasizes Heiko Friedrich, Managing Partner of OVE Plasmatec GmbH. The newly opened OVE-owned technical center, located directly next to the quality laboratory and close to production, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The test and inspection facilities allow for simulations of the future of elastomer coatings. A painting robot reliably applies improved or newly developed paints to cleaned surfaces in small series. This also enables the development of alternatives to PFAS paints.

Using plasma technology for new coating processes

Supported by modern drying cabinets, climate and salt spray chambers, as well as a resistance measuring device, the OVE experts are exploring the coatings of the future. Currently, the focus is on a coating solution for bipolar plates in fuel cells for alternative mobility. This highly demanding challenge requires completely new approaches regarding safe, durable, and sustainable coatings. The question of scalable application is always in view. "With the short distances from the technical center to our production, we receive quick answers on whether new solutions are also viable in series," Friedrich assures.

But it’s not just about paints; new coating methods are also being developed. The technical center is equipped with a plasma coating chamber. As pioneers, OVE Plasmatec was the first to apply plasma technology in the elastomer sector – in the deep-porous cleaning of seals. Further developed for coatings, noble gases instead of air now open up new possibilities. Among four different gases and settings, the noble gases are deposited onto the seals. Depending on the gas, various properties of the seals can be achieved with the coating. For example, hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces can be created. Coatings that act as diffusion barriers or barrier layers can also be produced. Initial results of the new process are promising.

The market is urgently awaiting new coating solutions

There are many application areas. Customers from biomedical, semiconductor, or pneumatic industries are waiting for new coating alternatives just as much as users from drinking water and food sectors. Additionally, the protective functions of the coatings are important. The highly professional service providers for surface refinement of elastomers always keep in mind particle purity, germ-free properties, and tested and certified LABS-free standards. This is achieved through the cleaning and coating processes and affects not only the products but also the packaging.