Oerlikon Group

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

Why surface matters

Hydrogen. Methanol. Ammonia. Biofuels.
New fuels. New challenges.

As industries accelerate the transition to sustainable fuels, attention is often focused on the fuel itself. However, the challenge often lies at the surface, where alternative fuels interact with critical engine and drivetrain components.

At Oerlikon, we engineer advanced PVD surface solutions that help critical components:
▪️ Run more efficiently
▪️ Resist wear and corrosion
▪️ Last longer
▪️ Reduce maintenance costs

From maritime and rail to heavy-duty transport, power generation, and industrial applications, advanced PVD coatings help critical components operate reliably under the demanding conditions.

New fuels can only perform as well as the components behind them.
Performance starts at the surface.

26/08/2026

A short journey through 150 years of transformation

For 150 years, Oerlikon has continuously evolved, helping shape industries through innovation and pioneering spirit.

This visual journey, created by pairing historic and present-day images, highlights how the Oerlikon Balzers site in Liechtenstein have transformed across the decades.

The result is a unique "then and now" perspective, showcasing not only how far Oerlikon has come, but also how a legacy of innovation continues to drive us toward the future.

24/08/2026

Congratulations to the ETH Zürich Formula Student Germany team on becoming the Overall Winner of Formula Student Germany 2026.

We are proud that gears coated with BALIQ® CARBOS STAR contributed to the team's success. Through a combination of our surface treatment and carbon-based coating technology, we achieved a 20% reduction in friction in their two-stage planetary gearbox. The coated gears remained in service throughout the entire competition, covering approximately 800 km in the rear drivetrains.

For us, projects like this are opportunities to push the limits of surface engineering and gain insights for future applications, such as next-generation compact gear drives or systems used in humanoid robotics.

Together with the AMZ Racing team, we are already taking the next step toward even lower gearbox friction. More details will be presented at the 67th Tribology Conference of the German Society for Tribology.

At Oerlikon, we make products better and help teams perform at their best.

20/08/2026

People who never stop learning and make products better

At Oerlikon, growth is driven by people who are eager to build new skills and take on new challenges.

As a Machinist with our Metco Equipment team in Westbury, Jordan keeps production running by setting up CNC machines, solving day-to-day challenges and supporting his team wherever needed. For Jordan, every obstacle is an opportunity to strengthen his critical thinking and become a better problem solver.

That passion for learning extends beyond the shop floor. While working at Oerlikon, Jordan is pursuing an Engineering degree through our tuition reimbursement program, with the goal of combining hands-on experience with technical expertise to become a Manufacturing Engineer.

How has continuous learning helped shape your career?

18/08/2026

What if a single cylinder bore coating could cut friction, reduce oil consumption, and lower CO₂ emissions – all at once?
Engine manufacturers face big challenges: improve efficiency; cut emissions; lower operating costs – without sacrificing durability.

Here’s how SUMEBore™ cylinder bore coatings deliver measurable results:
✔ Up to 78% lower oil consumption (52 g/h → 11.5 g/h under test conditions).
✔ Friction reduction up to 4.5 kW. Supporting higher efficiency and lower fuel use.
✔ Significantly reduced wear. Engineered for long service life in demanding applications.
✔ Up to 10 tonnes of CO₂ savings per engine per year. Ideal for continuous-duty operations.

And the real impact? Lower annual operating costs:
• Diesel generators (≈4,000 h/year): $8,200–10,800 per engine.
• Mixed-duty / on-highway (≈2,000 h/year): $2,200–3,100 per engine.

For OEMs, fleets, and power generation customers, sustainability gains and cost savings go hand in hand.

What’s your top priority right now – efficiency, emissions, or cost reduction? Share in the comments!

13/08/2026

High-quality materials, optimized designs, and robust, repeatable processes are the foundation for success in industrial additive manufacturing.

By offering additive manufacturing metal powders, additive component manufacturing, and advanced surface treatments, including PVD, CVD, and thermal spray coatings, we provide an integrated solution across the entire value chain.

We are uniquely positioned to advance the industrialization of additive manufacturing while continuously expanding our production capacities and capabilities.

Follow to learn more!

12/08/2026

August 12, 2026: New PFAS limits take effect for certain food-contact packaging in the EU.

Plastics manufacturers now face a practical question: How can they change formulations while maintaining stable processing and consistent product quality?

Additives such as PFAS have traditionally facilitated plastic processing through optimized melt flow, low friction and non-stick behavior, helping manufacturers maintain stable processes and consistent product quality.

However, as PFAS come under increasing regulatory pressure due to environmental and health concerns, manufacturers must modify their formulations. This often leads to tooling issues, such as deposit buildup, in both injection molding and extrusion, ultimately affecting end-product quality.

PFAS-free PVD coatings can provide these key properties at the tool surface, helping to reduce material build-up, extend cleaning intervals, maintain efficient production and support consistent product quality.

That is where our application expertise and surface technology know-how can help.

23/07/2026

Cost is what you see at first glance. Value is what you experience.

In most machining operations, the tool itself represents only a small fraction of the overall cost structure. The coating is an even smaller part of that.

In many machining operations, tool and coating costs account for only around 5% of the overall cost structure.

The remaining 95%? That is machine runtime, labor, energy, and unplanned downtime.

And yet, that small 5% investment has a significant impact on the other 95%. It directly controls what actually defines your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): cutting speed, tool life, and absolute process stability.

Performance always starts at the surface – because efficiency is not defined by what you spend. It is defined by how your process performs.

When you unlock the full potential of your high-performance tools under real conditions, you shift the metrics that matter most: minimize downtime, maximize predictability, and ultimately lower Cost per Part.

Key takeaways:

The TCO perspective: The initial cost is clear, but the true operational value unfolds on the shop floor.
The 5% lever: A minor share of your cost structure directly influences your largest cost drivers.
The real metric: Process stability and predictable tool life are what truly define your Cost per Part (CPP).
Cost is what you see at first glance.
Value is what you experience.

20/07/2026

✈️ Day 1 at Farnborough International Airshow!

The doors are open, the conversations have started, and we're excited to be back at one of the world's leading aerospace events.

Visit the Oerlikon booth and see how our advanced surface technologies and materials help aerospace manufacturers improve performance, reliability, and sustainability. From engines and landing gear to space applications.

Most importantly, we look forward to meeting customers, partners, and industry experts from around the globe and discussing the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of aerospace.

We look forward to the conversations ahead. If you're attending Farnborough this week, visit us in Hall 3, Booth 3540.