Formwork provider Doka has opened a new environmentally friendly powder coating plant in Austria, an investment in "the production of the future".
Powder coating Doka. Credit: Doka
The powder coating extends the life of the formwork's metal frames, which are subject to varied and harsh weather conditions. Doka's new plant is designed to coat frames of all sizes. Credit: Doka
In June, the Austrian provider of innovative formwork solutions with 160 locations worldwide and over 7,600 employees, commissioned a new powder coating plant in St. Martin near its headquarters in Amstetten.
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The highly automated system is part of a multi-stage production expansion in St. Martin with a total investment of 40 million euros.
The metal frames of the Doka formwork systems are hot-dip galvanised and subjected to a high-quality processing method - powder coating. A special powder is evenly applied to the frame of the formwork elements and burned in.
Excess powder is collected and recycled using smart components. This gives the frame elements particularly smooth and resistant surfaces for long service life in the rough conditions on a construction site.
The new powder coating system is breaking new ground in terms of environmentally friendly production: It uses 80% less water than the previous system and relies on environmentally friendly chemicals; In addition, it saves energy through the use of sophisticated technology.
“Doka has always attached great importance to sustainability,” says Peter Pöchacker, Director of Doka Production. “Today the topic is even more relevant because customers are actively asking about it.”
Described as one of the most modern of its kind, the facility’s production processes at the plant incorporate new digital systems that allow the powder coating process to be highly automated.
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Due to the high level of automation and digitisation, the products can be manufactured in Austria at marketable prices.
The plant is currently being started up in a one-shift operation. The plan is to also make the capacities available for contract manufacturing. Initial discussions with potential partners are already underway.
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