Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "Hannover Messe 2011 trade fair: Nanogate and GfO present new products for industrial high-performance surfaces and announce an increase in capacities"

Home > Press > Hannover Messe 2011 trade fair: Nanogate and GfO present new products for industrial high-performance surfaces and announce an increase in capacities

Abstract:
Highlight of the trade fair: UV-hardening scratchproof coating for plastics as a new technology platform - Nanogate and GfO plan new coating system for plastics - Investment amount in the low seven digits range

Hannover Messe 2011 trade fair: Nanogate and GfO present new products for industrial high-performance surfaces and announce an increase in capacities

Göttelborn, Germany | Posted on April 5th, 2011

Nanogate AG (ISIN DE000A0JKHC9), a leading international systems provider for nanotechnology, will present its plans to invest in capacity expansion and introduce a new technology platform at the Hannover Messe 2011 trade fair. Together with its equity holding GfO, Nanogate plans to construct a coating facility for plastics, since both companies are experiencing an increased level of interest in this area. Its presence at the trade fair will also focus on new, multifunctional scratchproof coating solutions based on the Nanogate product permaResist® polymer. The system's UV-hardening property makes it particularly economical and forward-looking as it can also be used to coat sensitive plastics without damaging them. This coating is intended to be deployed in the new facility.

The Nanogate Group is planning to significantly boost its capacities with the construction of a high-performance technology system for coating three-dimensional plastic components. The fully automated, robot-controlled facility will perform the pre-cleaning and subsequent coating using the new Nanogate-technology platform. A capital expenditure amount in the low seven digits (euros) will be invested here. This system concept, in particular for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), will be a further addition to the Nanogate Group's innovative technology portfolio. GfO is already experiencing strong demand for its inkjet technology, which is unique in Europe and makes it possible to apply selective UV-hardening coatings to transparent and black glossy plastics without the need for templates.

"Thanks to its cost-effectiveness and the advantages it offers in processing, the importance of PMMA as a material will grow. This trend can be seen especially in the automotive industry, where plastics that are sensitive to temperature are being used more and more, for instance for trim strips inside vehicles or side panels and roof modules on the outside. This has been confirmed in our initial discussions with automotive suppliers, who are very interested in our coating," commented Michael Jung, COO of Nanogate AG and Management Board member at GfO. "The new facility will provide the necessary production capacities, which will boost the Group's sales and earnings in the long term."

The coating system permaResist® polymer can be deployed both in the automotive sector and in interior design, for example. It offers a range of application possibilities for plastics in the realisation of 3D geometries and can also be equipped with additional functions such as easy-to-clean or improved hygiene properties. The highly transparent, abrasion-proof coating exhibits a strong level of resistance to solvents and is applied in optical quality without pre-treating the surface (prior priming or application of an adhesive). As a UV-hardening coating, permaResist® polymer saves energy in comparison with conventional, thermally hardening coatings and thus helps to conserve resources in production.

High-performance surface on matt PVD surfaces

As well as scratchproof coatings on PMMA, Nanogate will also be demonstrating SICRALAN® AP at the trade fair, an abrasion-proof, anti-fingerprint coating which can be used on matt, metallic plastic components or metal surfaces. Its excellent adhesion to the surface means that the coating is resistant to mechanical and chemical influences. The coating material does not just protect surfaces effectively from fingerprints, it also reduces dirt levels and makes cleaning easier. This increased convenience provides extra added value for high-quality electronic appliances in comparison with those that have not been coated. Nanogate will also present the advances it has made in the area of energy-efficient coatings at the trade fair.

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About Nanogate AG
Nanogate is an international leading integrated nanotechnology systems provider with a focus on enhancing surfaces. The firm, which is based in Göttelborn (Saarland), enables the programming and integration of additional properties – such as non-stick, antibacterial, anti-corrosive and ultra-low friction – into materials and surfaces. As an enabler, Nanogate thereby gains a competitive edge for its customers by product refinement using chemical nanotechnology. Nanogate covers a wide range of industries, functions and substrates. The company thus provides a decisive interface for the commercial use of chemical nanotechnology and bridges the gap between the suppliers of raw materials and industrial conversion into products. In doing so, Nanogate concentrates as an enabler on one of the most attractive segments in the industry. Nanogate has a unique combination of extensive materials expertise paired with comprehensive, first-class process and production know-how from the majority stake in GfO acquired in 2010. As a systems provider and jointly with GfO, Nanogate covers the entire value chain from purchasing raw materials, synthesising and formulating the material systems, right through to enhancing and producing the finished surfaces.

The Nanogate Group currently has approximately 220 employees in all and since commencing operations in 1999 has been a trailblazer in nanotechnology. The company has first-class customer references (e.g. ABB, BSH Bosch-Siemens Haushaltsgeräte, Junkers, Kärcher, Koenig & Bauer AG, Opel and REWE Austria) and many years’ experience of different industries and applications. To date, several hundred projects have gone into mass production. Nanogate has also entered into strategic cooperations with international companies such as the GEA Group and Dow Corning. Nanogate consists of Nanogate Industrial Solutions GmbH, FNP GmbH for products in the sport/leisure sector, majority stakes in Holmenkol AG and GfO Gesellschaft für Oberflächentechnik mbH as well as a shareholding in sarastro GmbH.

Disclaimer:

This publication constitutes neither an offer to sell nor an invitation to buy securities. The shares in Nanogate AG (the "Shares") may not be offered or sold in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of "U.S. persons" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")). No offer or sale of transferable securities is being made to the public outside Germany.

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Contacts:
Christian Dose (financial press and investors)
Cortent Kommunikation AG
Tel. +49 (0)69 5770 300-0

Liane Stieler-Joachim
Nanogate AG
Tel. +49 (0)6825 9591 220

Nanogate AG
Zum Schacht 3
66287 Göttelborn, Germany