This year, the ZVO Surface Days #OTKarlsruhe26 will take place for the first time in the fully modernised Stadthalle in Karlsruhe: from 16 to 18 September 2026, participants can look forward to an extensive programme of talks on current industry topics, as well as an accompanying trade exhibition featuring 70 exhibitors. Online registration will open on 15 April 2026.  

Five-track lecture programme with 95 presentations
This year’s congress programme features 95 presentations covering key areas such as fire safety in electroplating and coating companies, securing primary and critical raw materials, energy (systems) of the future, new business areas for surface technology (including B2C), digitalisation in surface technology, AI in surface technology, automation opportunities in electroplating/coating companies, hydrogen: the future for surface technology, real-world damage cases and damage analysis for fault prevention and cost reduction.

The congress programme is rounded off by presentations from the recurring areas of circularity, recycling and the circular economy in surface technology, the ‘Management meets Surface’ business forum, bath and/or surface analysis,  Research findings – reports from young colleagues, cathodic corrosion protection, functional coatings, new requirements for electroplating and surface technology, from process monitoring to product quality, and future topics in surface technology.

Under the heading “Women in Surface Technology: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects”, Female SurFaces, the ZVO’s women’s network, will once again be participating with a session. The same applies to the established consultation hour organised by the ZVO’s Environment and Chemicals Policy Department, during which questions regarding European and national environmental and chemicals policy will be answered.  

More information and registration: https://oberflaechentage.zvo.org/en/