The start of construction in May 2022, was the starting shot for the new painting center at the Schwandorf site of HORSCH in Germany. On an area of 12,000 m2, the company has built a hall with modern technology for liquid and powder coatings, thus meeting the environmental and capacity demands for today’s ag machines.
In January 2023, construction of the plant started. The liquid coating plant started operation in June 2023, the power coating plant in September 2023. Currently, the plants still are in the run-up stage. Maximum capacity amounts to about 575,000 m² of painted material per year, which corresponds to approx. 20,000 tons. Components with a length of up to 9 m, width of up to 2.3 m, a height of 3 m and a total weight of 3 tons can be painted in the new plant. Fully automatic, flexible conveyor systems ensure that the components precisely reach the places for assembly.
Energy efficiency and sustainability play a major role with regard to the realization of this project. The powder coating process which accounts for 80% of the coating tasks, is completely solvent-free and thus environment friendly. The heat recovery systems (powder incinerator, compressors) also contribute to the energy efficiency. The objective is to use renewable energies for the energy supply. Pre-treatment is a closed-circuit process. The wastewater is not released into the public network, but recycled for reuse.
The new painting center creates 75 new jobs at the Schwandorf site and includes a state-of-the-art training facility. The building also includes flexible and ergonomic workstations, as well as modern welfare facilities for the employees.
Total investment in the new painting center accounts EUR 30 million, the largest in the Schwandorf site thus far.
