PaintExpo brings innovations and hottest trends to the international stage

From 14 to 17 April 2026, the international paint industry will meet in Karlsruhe to experience the latest solutions and world premieres. Innovations range from sustainable coating systems and energy-efficient solutions to AI and automation-driven process optimisations. “PaintExpo is at the heart of industrial painting technology – in Germany, Europe and worldwide. It brings together leading companies, innovative technologies and global decision-makers on one platform and sets standards for the industry’s future,” explains project director Carmen Bender, looking ahead to the event in four weeks’ time.

Sustainable coating systems and material innovations

Resource conservation and sustainability are shaping developments in painting technology. By way of example, this is demonstrated by the following exhibitors with their new developments:

• Venjakob will be presenting robotics for delicate and complex shapes as well as a mobile coating system for columns weighing up to 2,000 metric tonnes.

• With its German premiere, Gema Switzerland will be demonstrating how perfect coating results can be achieved with even the most complex application requirements and tricky geometries.

• J. Wagner will once again be demonstrating live solutions that make life easier for coating specialists – through intuitive operation, resource-saving use of materials, optimised processes and greater automation.

• Jürgen Emptmeyer will be focusing on the increasing demands on product safety, verification and quality with CE-compliant hooks and racks.

Additional sustainable innovations will also be on display. Vulkan Inox will be presenting stainless steel blasting media for corrosion protection, and TOPO Powder Coating will be launching robust anti-graffiti powder coatings.

Automation, robotics and digital process intelligence

The digitalisation of coating processes and the use of artificial intelligence will be more in focus than ever before for many exhibitors. Highlights include:

• FerRobotics automating the time-consuming masking process prior to painting and repairing paint defects on plastic parts.

• Walther Trowal will be unveiling the Rotamat R 60 for the insulation coating of particularly small components for electronics, plus the new R 100 for large flat sealing elements in e-mobility.

• REITER’s RoboTwin, which enables intuitive teaching of painting robots, allowing even less experienced personnel to achieve precise results.

• Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik will be bringing a trade fair premiere in the form of fully automated surface inspection of raw car bodies.

In addition, innovations in robotics and automation from other leading providers will shine a light on the future of smart manufacturing: SURFIN Technology with its intuitive robot programming and Fraunhofer ITWM with its measuring systems for simultaneous layer thickness and process analysis.

Process reliability and quality

Consistent quality and stable processes are crucial for cost-effective production processes. At PaintExpo, companies from around the world will be demonstrating how innovative systems increase process reliability. For example:

• Dürr will be presenting overspray-free painting and a modular paint supply system including material recovery, fast colour changes and low consumption of flushing agents.

• With its new hybrid E-Gripper Wheel, Eisenmann will be presenting a precise and gentle wheel handling solution that is both flexible and energy-efficient, designed to increase and sustainably secure efficiency in its customers’ production processes.

• Krautzberger will be presenting two new automatic spray devices, which ensure greater efficiency on abrasive media and offer advantages in terms of performance, ease of maintenance and cost-effectiveness.

• Sherwin-Williams will be showcasing an innovative portfolio of coatings specifically designed for the everchanging demands of energy infrastructure worldwide.

• Blastman will be presenting a world first for sandblasting small parts in confined spaces.

Energy efficiency, resilience and resource conservation

The optimisation of energy and material use is a core issue for sustainable production. At this leading international trade fair, exhibitors will demonstrate how efficiency gains can be put into practice:

• Feige Lackieranlagen has developed the first new ventilation system architecture for industrial paint booths that combines high-level heat recovery with almost total separation of paint-laden particles.

• For the first time at a trade fair, NoxorSokem from Italy will be presenting an automatic process that removes paint from wheels without manual intervention and with consistent quality.

• Maston Oy has a world premiere: one of the fastest and most efficient portable filling machines, which can fill up to six 400 ml aerosol cans per minute with its 5-litre paint cone.

• Alvarez Schaer will be presenting a new compact anodising plant for aluminium processors who want high-quality anodising with reduced space requirements with lower resource requirements and operating costs.

Global networking and business potential

From 14 to 17 April, PaintExpo will once again highlight its role as the most important platform for industrial surface technology and painting processes. It will present the entire spectrum of international products and services in industrial painting technology along the entire value-added chain. This makes it a unique meeting place for manufacturers, suppliers and decision-makers from all over the world. The concentration of innovations, products and industry experts creates the ideal conditions for intensive technical discussions, the exchange of experiences and new collaborations. Visitors can identify specific business opportunities, establish partnerships and initiate or conclude concrete orders.