Paintexpo prides itself on being the world´s leading fair for coating technology. It is indeed the main event not least in Europe for representatives from the surface treatment tech- and coating industry.

The fair was as usual very busy and attended by companies with a wide range of interests from all over the world. 430 exhibitors from 25 countries assembled in Karlsruhe focusing: painting and surface treatment lines, blasting and paint, robotics and automation, integrated production lines, electronics, ventilation and drying techniques etc.

Our strong Pekotek gang of 4; Petri Rautiainen, Timo Pyykkö, Matti-Esko Ahtonen from Finland and Pierre Brolin from Germany had opportunity to for instance reconnect with Pekotek´s innovative Swiss development partner Luterbach, also met up with Nordic connections, yet primarily with customers and suppliers from Poland and Germany. Previously unknown acquaintances were keen to strike new friendships and as always not least expressed a strong interest in Pekotek´s unique recycling system.

Karlsruhe in April with sunny warm weather even allowed for discussions in Paintexpos spacious outdoors patio. Covid and the slow German economy did probably however affect Paintexpo this year. And all the big coating dragons were present but few Nordic companies attended and the fair was downsized to 3 rather than the 4 halls of 2022.

We learnt that Paintexpo returns to Karlsruhe 2026 but will be arranged in Istanbul 2025. And while most exhibitors this year came from mainland Europe, the presence of a considerable number of Asian and Turkish companies was evident. Will this also be the case when Pekotek attends Steelfab in Dubai in January 2025?

If not before, we hope to see you next time at Steelfab or Paintexpo! Do explore our grit blasting, shot blasting machines, and advanced wet painting services online to see how we can elevate your production efficiency and quality.

Pierre Brolin

Export Manager Germany