Is the surface technology spring coming - or not?

The last few years have been characterized by a reluctance to invest, rising costs for energy and materials, for example, and bureaucratic and regulatory obstacles. There is a great desire in the surface technology sector for things to pick up again. And there are indeed the first hopeful signs. But is it enough to sustain a longer upturn? The ifo business climate index, an early indicator of sentiment in industry, services, trade and construction, showed the first signs of a cautious recovery in February 2026, as assessments of the situation and expectations improved slightly. Many surface technology companies are also reporting a slight increase in incoming orders.

Overall, therefore, there are already some signs of an improving economic situation. However, one must remain realistic, an explosive upswing is rather unlikely. However, a cautious recovery is still within the realms of possibility. What you make of it could therefore also be important. A wait-and-see approach cannot be a strategy. In the past, it has often been shown that anti-cyclical behavior is advantageous. In other words, investing now in order to have an improved starting position later. Too many companies still neglect the value of a professional public image and forgo suitable PR measures such as press relations or social media. There is often still a lot of room for improvement here. Another point is innovation. Resting on old successes will not be enough. Current developments such as energy efficiency, automation or sustainability are not just buzzwords, but offer new opportunities and prospects on the market. To put it bluntly: a crisis is also what you make of it - wait and see or take action.