Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films ISTA joint project by Fraunhofer IST, Rohloff AG, and Tantec A/S impresses with sustainable plasma technology for industrial applications.
COAD® process in the finals of the 2026 IHK Technology Transfer Award
The transfer of the COAD® process, developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, into industrial applications has been recognized with its inclusion in the final selection for the 2026 IHK Technology Transfer Award. For 40 years, the Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce has been honoring projects that successfully translate research results into industrial solutions, thereby strengthening the region’s innovation capabilities.
The COAD® process is a sustainable cold plasma process that automatically cleans component surfaces and subsequently functionalizes them with a nanometer-thin, highly reactive adhesion-promoting layer. This allows the adhesion between different materials to be selectively improved entirely without the use of solvents.
As part of a joint project with Rohloff AG, the process was optimized for industrial application in the field of bicycle hub manufacturing. Together with the equipment manufacturer Tantec A/S, this resulted in a plasma system based on VacuTEC technology that integrates the COAD® process directly into production.
The nomination for the Technology Transfer Award is a special recognition of the innovative work at Fraunhofer IST. It demonstrates how research can be directly translated into practical applications and underscores the potential of the COAD® process for sustainable and efficient production methods. The team is now eagerly looking forward to the award ceremony.
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