NEOVAC, a joint venture between SMS group GmbH and SITIZN Group Holding AG, has introduced a new vacuum coating technology for high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel strips at its Karlstein, Germany facility.
Unlike conventional methods, the process applies coatings at below 200 Celsius without altering the steel’s microstructure, while ensuring strong adhesion and precise grain growth. The technology uses a three-stage process of plasma pre-treatment, magnetron-based pre-coating, and a newly developed plasma-enhanced zinc evaporation system.
The 170-ton pilot line in Karlstein can handle coils weighing up to five tons, with lengths of up to 1,000 meters and widths of 650 millimeters. Early tests have successfully coated steels with tensile strengths of up to 1,500 MPa.
NEOVAC highlights both technical and environmental benefits: lower material consumption, improved energy efficiency, and the potential for carbon-neutral operation when powered by renewable electricity. The system can also be scaled from pilot to continuous production, offering manufacturers a flexible, sustainable alternative to traditional coating methods.
The company is now inviting customers to trial the technology with test coatings as it prepares for broader commercial deployment.
