When the doors of PaintExpo 2026 open once again for four days on April 14, Karlsruhe will become the central meeting place for the international industrial coating sector. More than 420 manufacturers of systems and components, materials developers, service providers and users from a wide range of industries will come together here to present the latest technologies, new processes and concrete solutions for industrial coating processes. "As the world's leading trade fair for the industry, PaintExpo sets international standards. Companies develop their global innovations specifically for a first presentation in Karlsruhe and show where technologies and processes are heading. In addition, the international exhibitor share of 52 percent is higher than ever before," explains Markus Geisenberger, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe.
Sustainable coating systems and material innovations
The world's leading trade fair covers the entire process chain of industrial painting technology - from pre-treatment, wet painting and powder coating to application and conveyor technology, automation, quality testing and environmentally friendly processes. Trade visitors from sectors such as the automotive industry, mechanical and plant engineering, metal processing, electronics, contract coating and many other areas will thus receive a compact overview of technological developments and practical applications for their production processes.
"In addition to the exhibition, the focus is primarily on direct knowledge transfer. Many exhibitors use the trade fair not only to present their technologies, but also to demonstrate them in operation", explains Carmen Bender, PaintExpo Project Director. Live demonstrations, short presentations and interactive formats at the trade fair stands enable visitors to experience processes first-hand and talk to experts from development, application technology and production.
Expert lectures
At the IGP Pulvertechnik AG stand - Hall 3, Stand 3541 - expert presentations will be held almost twice a day on topics such as
- System coatings - coordinated wet/powder coating systems
- Powder coating on heat-sensitive substrates
- Melted metal - highly brilliant surfaces
- Quality and testing procedures
- The future of pre-treatment
- Defects in powder coating and solutions to eliminate causes
Live demonstrations
Several live demonstrations will take place at PaintExpo 2026
- Bio-Circle Surface Technology GmbH - Hall 1, Stand 1537
- Live demo: Cleaning of coating and painting tools
- Industrial Physics - Hall 1, Stand 1621
- Live demonstration: New and improved - discover the latest developments in physical testing technology
- One - Hall 1, Stand 1648
- Live demonstration: AI-based paint inspection and automated repair workflow
Networking the Swedish way
Visitors to PaintExpo are invited to a Swedish "Fika" - a joint coffee break with coffee and traditional cinnamon buns:
- HangOn - Hall 3, Stand 3238
The complete program of live demonstrations and lectures is published on the PaintExpo website. Visitors can find out about individual sessions there in advance and plan their trade fair visit accordingly (OM-4/26).
► Find out more about PaintExpo in our PaintExpo 2026 trade fair special (topics, exhibitor news and further information)