PaintExpo 2026 Puts AI In The Spotlight

Digital technologies increase the performance of modern coating processes—from monitoring and quality assurance to material efficiency and plant control. PaintExpo 2026 is picking up on this development and focusing on intelligent solutions.

From April 14 to 17, 2026, the international coating industry will meet in Karlsruhe to experience new solutions and developments. The innovations on display range from sustainable coating systems and energy-efficient solutions to AI and automation-based process optimizations. “PaintExpo is the heart of industrial coating technology – in Germany, in Europe, and worldwide. It brings together leading companies, innovative technologies, and global decision-makers on one platform and sets standards for the future of the industry,” explains Carmen Bender, project director, looking ahead to the event in four weeks.

Sustainable Coating Systems and Material Developments

Resource conservation and sustainability characterize numerous new developments. Venjakob presents robotics for delicate and complex shapes as well as a mobile coating system for columns weighing up to 2,000 tons. Gema Switzerland will be showing how perfect coating results can be achieved for the most complex application requirements and difficult part geometries in a German premiere. J. Wagner will once again be demonstrating live solutions at its booth that make the work of coaters easier – through intuitive operation, resource-saving use of materials, optimized processes, and greater automation. Jürgen Emptmeyer will focus 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 present stainless steel blasting media for corrosion protection, and TOPO Powder Coating will launch robust anti-graffiti powder coatings.

Automation, Robotics, And Digital Process Intelligence

The digitization of coating processes and the use of artificial intelligence are the focus of numerous exhibitors. Fer Robotics automates the time-consuming masking process prior to painting and the repair of paint defects on plastic parts. Walther Trowal is unveiling the Rotamat R 60 for the insulation coating of particularly small components for electronics and the new R 100 for large flat sealing elements in e-mobility. Reiter's Robo Twin enables intuitive teaching of painting robots. Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik presents a fully automated surface inspection system for body-in-white. Other suppliers such as Surfin Technology and the Fraunhofer Institute ITWM are showcasing solutions for intuitive robot programming and measuring systems for simultaneous layer thickness and process analysis.

Process Reliability and Quality

Companies from various countries are presenting systems for increasing process stability. Dürr is showcasing overspray-free painting and a modular paint supply system with material recovery, fast color changes, and reduced flushing agent consumption. Eisenmann is presenting the new hybrid E-Gripper Wheel, a solution for precise and gentle wheel handling. Krautzberger presents two new automatic sprayers for abrasive materials. Sherwin-Williams showcases coatings that have been specially developed for the constantly evolving requirements of energy infrastructure. Blastman presents a world premiere for sandblasting small parts in confined spaces.

Energy Efficiency, Resilience, and Resource Conservation

Increasing efficiency in energy and material use is a key issue. Feige Lackieranlagen has developed a new air technology system architecture for paint booths that combines heat recovery with almost complete separation of paint-laden particles. Noxor Sokem from Italy is showcasing an automatic process for paint removal from wheels without manual intervention and with consistent quality. Maston Oy is presenting a portable filling machine that can fill up to six 400 ml aerosol cans per minute. Alvarez Schaer is introducing a compact anodizing system for aluminum processors that enables high-quality anodizing with reduced space requirements and lower resource requirements.

Global Networking and Business Potential

PaintExpo showcases the international range of industrial coating technology along the entire value chain. It is considered a central platform where manufacturers, suppliers, and decision-makers come together. The concentration of innovations and expertise creates an environment for intensive discussions, exchange of experiences, and new collaborations. Visitors can specifically explore business opportunities, initiate partnerships, and prepare concrete projects.

This is a partly automated translation of this german article.