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Oerlikon supplies a broad portfolio of industrial technologies that many leading carmakers rely on to improve durability, efficiency and aesthetics. By combining surface engineering, thermal spray processes and PVD metallization, the company helps manufacturers reduce friction, extend part life and replace heavy materials with lighter alternatives. These interventions are central to meeting tightening regulatory requirements, rising customer expectations and investor demands for sustainability. In consequence, vehicles become safer, maintenance intervals lengthen and lifecycle emissions fall when components are treated with tailored coatings and advanced materials.
The value delivered spans production performance and in-service benefits: better tool life, lower production costs and higher throughput on the shop floor, as well as fuel savings and reduced oil consumption for the end user. Oerlikon’s solutions emphasize functional surface treatments for drivetrain and engine components, hot runner systems for lighting parts, and PVD chrome-look metallization as an environmentally friendlier alternative to traditional chromium plating. Together, these technologies help OEMs balance aesthetics, safety and regulatory compliance without sacrificing performance.
Comprehensive solutions across vehicle systems
Oerlikon addresses a wide range of automotive subsystems with purpose-built technologies. For safety-critical items such as brake discs, seat belts and airbag fabrics, the company supplies coatings and engineered fibers that enhance reliability under extreme conditions. In the drivetrain, transmission and clutch components receive functional surface treatments that reduce wear and guard against corrosion, prolonging service life. Exterior parts and interior design elements can be finished using PVD processes to achieve a chrome appearance without the environmental drawbacks of plating. Lighting moulds benefit from precise hot runner systems designed for high-pressure, high-temperature molding, lowering flash and material degradation risks while ensuring consistent temperature control.
Engine, exhaust and transmission coatings
Targeted coatings for engine systems—covering injectors, valves, oil pumps and turbochargers—reduce friction and abrasion in demanding conditions. One prominent solution, SUMEBore™, is a powder-based thermal spray cylinder bore coating that cuts oil consumption by up to 82% and has been integrated into production by OEMs including Volkswagen and Audi; Porsche reported a ten-fold improvement in wear resistance on a new V8 turbo when compared with non-coated surfaces. For high-temperature exhaust tracts, specialized coatings can perform at temperatures up to 800°C, lowering friction and protecting parts in low-lubrication environments. These technologies enable smaller, more efficient engines by protecting light-alloy components from heat and wear.
Lightweight materials, electric vehicles and range gains
Coatings and surface treatments make it practical to replace heavy cast iron parts with aluminium and other light metals without compromising durability. A real-world example comes from Mazda’s MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV project, where an HVOF thermal spray solution helped replace a cast-iron rotary unit with aluminium, reducing mass by 15 kg while maintaining performance. In electric vehicles, even modest mass reductions pay dividends: a 10% lighter vehicle can increase range by approximately 5–7%. Adopting a holistic coating strategy across more than a hundred parts can cut fuel consumption by 2–4%, lower oil usage by around 30% and reduce engine block weight by about 12%, amplifying efficiency and sustainability benefits.
Quality, governance and industry trust
Oerlikon positions itself as a partner not only through technical capability but by upholding corporate governance and transparency standards. The company follows the Swiss Code of Best Practices for Corporate Governance and publishes key governance information in line with regulatory directives. Leadership at the top reinforces this commitment: for example, Prof. Dr. Michael Suess serves as Executive Chairman. Rules governing directors’ dealings require board and executive committee members to report significant transactions to the Swiss Stock Exchange, ensuring investor transparency. These governance practices support long-term partnerships with OEMs and suppliers who demand both technical excellence and organizational integrity.
Public shareholders can access governance and meeting materials through Oerlikon’s usual channels. The company has scheduled its 53rd Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of OC Oerlikon Corporation AG for March 24, 2026, to be held at ENTRA, Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland. The close of the share register is from March 14, 2026 to and including March 24, 2026, proxy forms are due by March 18, 2026 (reply form) or electronically by March 22, 2026, with ex-dividend and record/payment dates published alongside the meeting notices. These procedural details ensure shareholders can participate and exercise their rights in an organized manner.
Why manufacturers partner with Oerlikon
Automakers partner with Oerlikon because its combination of materials science, surface engineering and production-ready integration reduces lifecycle costs while supporting tighter emissions and safety regulations. From enhanced tool performance and reduced production waste to measurable in-service gains like lower fuel or energy consumption, the company’s offerings translate directly into competitive advantage. For manufacturers aiming to improve part longevity, lower weight and sustain aesthetics without harmful processes, Oerlikon’s technologies offer a path to deliver safer, more efficient and more sustainable vehicles to market.