VOA training seminars on coating and anodizing

The Coating and Qualicoat Seminar of the Association for the Surface Finishing of Aluminum e. V. on November 11, 2025 was aimed at beginners and advanced users from coating companies and users who want to deepen their knowledge of aluminum coating. This opened up a broad corridor of knowledge that brought participants closer to the latest findings from science and research. The general licensor Qualicoat recognizes the VOA seminar as the mandatory training prescribed in the globally valid specifications. For this reason, the seminar brought together people from coating companies without a quality mark with many participants from companies that are listed as licensees and approvers of the international quality mark. The central goal of all: to understand the high quality requirements of customers and to transfer them technically flawlessly into everyday production practice. Renowned speakers, including Ralf Heitzelmann, Deputy Head of the Technical Commission of the VOA, and other experts from the field of coating, provided practical knowledge transfer. The topics ranged from the coloring of objects and its pitfalls to bacterial infestation of the baths. Naturally, the speakers provided solutions to the challenges and in expert discussions with all participants, the VOA discussed specific topics from the practical experience of coating companies.

VOA anodizing seminar shows process steps

At the anodizing seminar from 12 to 13 November, the association, led by Friedhelm U. Scholten, Chairman of the VOA Board of Directors, took an in-depth look at each individual process step in the anodizing process: from contacting, cleaning, degreasing, pickling, rinsing and decapping to the actual anodizing, pre-anodizing and hard anodizing, electrolytic and dip dyeing and sealing. The attendees repeated and supplemented the basics of the individual work steps. Paired with the possible defect patterns of each section, the participants developed the basis for effective defect management in the company in order to ensure consistently high surface quality. As the German general licensee, the VOA also presented the specifications of the international Qualanod quality mark. The participants took away specific tips on how processes can be stabilized and quality certificates efficiently documented. Reference was also made to the VOA's document packages for its members to effectively facilitate their daily work.

VOA training courses increase quality and competitiveness

The VOA's regular training events make it clear that specialists are interested in targeted training, work together and help as a team to strengthen the competitiveness of companies through high quality. As the general licensee of the international quality marks Qualanod and Qualicoat, the VOA gives the industry the opportunity to meet international requirements and further strengthen confidence in the surface finishing of aluminum in global supply chains. Accordingly, the response from participants to the two seminars was, as usual, positive. The venue - the Hotel Jagdschloss Kranichstein in Darmstadt - also impressed once again. In addition to the exciting presentations during the day, the stimulating technical discussions in the evening in an absolutely pleasant atmosphere were a particular highlight. Next year, the association will continue to offer practical training courses that meet the needs of the surface finishing industry.