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Our History and Milestones

Passion for surface solutions: from our beginnings in 1946 until today

1946 - 2021: From an idea to a global technology leader.

For 75 years, Oerlikon Balzers has stood for pioneering developments and global technology leadership in thin-film coatings. We live our passion for surface solutions with a unique combination of sustainability, innovative drive, entrepreneurial spirit and tradition. This benefits our customers – and our environment – yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Explore 75 years of Oerlikon Balzers

Balzers' first PVD hard coating for tools, BALINIT® A, was officially "born" on September 1st 1978. Since then, Oerlikon Balzers has been an unprecedented success story, ranging from pioneering the world of coatings to being a market leader.

Timeline

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BALINIT ALCRONA EVO: The new generation of a globally established universal coating

When BALINIT ALCRONA was launched in 2004, Oerlikon Balzers introduced a universal coating for gear cutting, milling, stamping and forming that allowed customers in the metalworking industry to significantly improve their production performance. With BALINIT ALCRONA EVO, Oerlikon’s technology brand for thin film surface solutions introduced the third generation. Extensive enhancements on this AlCrN-based coating mean the service life of tools can be more than 30 % longer than with its predecessor coating. The optimized wear resistance of BALINIT ALCRONA EVO also reduces the regrinding stock volume when reconditioning, which increases the number of regrinding cycles per tool. This saves valuable resources and customers can significantly reduce the cost of new tools.

BALIMED ZIRCONA – The preferred color for digital dental impressions and more…

BALIMED™ ZIRCONA offers superior wear resistance and provides highly accurate digital impressions due to its pale golden color, which is especially beneficial in fabricating dental prosthetics. It is an excellent choice over conventional TiN gold coatings.

Oerlikon establishes Advanced Coating Technology Center, elevating aerospace and gas turbine industries

Oerlikon announces the establishment of an Advanced Coating Technology Center in Westbury, NY, dedicated to advancing technologies for the aerospace and gas turbine industries. Located at the existing Oerlikon Metco brand headquarters, it integrates thermal spray with PVD expertise from the Oerlikon Balzers brand. By combining thermal spray, PVD, and testing capabilities under one roof, Oerlikon aims to accelerate the development of high-temperature materials and coatings, enhancing efficiency in these critical sectors.

Oerlikon Balzers introduces BALORA TECH PRO

BALORA™ TECH PRO is an innovative high-temperature oxidation and wear-resistant coating designed to enhance the durability and performance of critical components in the aerospace and power generation industries. The coating provides a REACH compliant alternative to traditional coating technologies.

New INVENTA PVD coating system featuring Advanced Arc Technology (AAT)

Oerlikon Balzers announces the launch of INVENTA, its latest Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) system. This new coating equipment features Advanced Arc Technology (AAT), representing a significant development in PVD Arc Technology. Reflecting Oerlikon’s technological leadership and commitment to efficiency and sustainability, the INVENTA allows customers to use this new technology to achieve greater productivity while saving resources and materials.

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