IONOMY™ Partner Spotlight: IST METZ

Enabling high-performance UV curing for energy-cured coil coating

Energy curing replaces conventional thermal drying with UV technologies, often associated with electron beam, enabling coatings to cure within seconds or fractions of a second. This shift offers significant potential in terms of energy efficiency, line design and production speed.

Within the IONOMY ecosystem, IST METZ contributes specialist expertise in UV curing systems, supporting the application of energy curing in coil coating through tailored system design and process integration.

A specialist in UV curing technology

IST METZ GmbH & Co. KG is an internationally active mechanical engineering company headquartered in Nürtingen, Germany. With over 45 years of experience, the company develops and manufactures UV systems used to cure inks, varnishes, silicones, adhesives, and coatings.

Its portfolio includes UV lamp and UV LED systems, complemented by hot-air, infrared and excimer technologies. Through a global network of subsidiaries and service teams, IST METZ supports reliable system operation and ongoing maintenance.

IST METZ’s role within IONOMY

Within IONOMY, IST METZ is the key point of contact for the UV technology used to cure the coatings, such as primers and backing coats. Additionally, it supports process optimization by designing and suppling of tailored UV systems to meet specific production requirements.

UV technology can also be used to influence coating properties, including gloss level, for example through the use of UV lamp systems or excimer technology.

Systems are engineered to meet specific process requirements, ensuring reliable operation and ease of service within demanding industrial environments.

How UV curing works

UV curing follows a different process principle compared to thermal drying.

Instead of using heat over time, UV light is absorbed by photoinitiators within the coating. These molecules decompose into reactive species that initiate a chain reaction, leading to rapid polymerisation of the coating.

This mechanism enables curing in seconds, or fractions of a second.

As a result, UV systems can be designed with a significantly smaller footprint than conventional ovens, while supporting high production speeds.

Integration into coil coating lines

UV systems can be adapted to coil coating lines based on key process parameters.

System design considers:

• Coil width, which determines lamp length
• Required production speed
• Lamp power and spectral characteristics
• Number and configuration of UV modules

Integration into the production line is defined on a case-by-case basis, including mechanical design and accessibility for operation and maintenance. Additional equipment (cranes, elevators, inerting systems) may also be required depending on the installation.

Due to their compact size, UV systems can be retrofitted into existing coil coating lines, allowing higher production speeds without extending the line.

Experience across applications

IST METZ has experience across several hundred UV applications, particularly in printing and coating processes, as well as applications involving metal substrates.

Relevant examples include:

• Sheet metal printing at high processing speeds
• Coating of metal components requiring corrosion protection
• UV systems used in continuous production environments and in combination with physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes

The company has also supplied laboratory systems, pilot installations and production systems for the coil coating sector, with this experience informing ongoing system development.

Industry readiness

Interest in UV and EB technologies is increasing across the coil coating industry, supported by discussions at major industry forums and ongoing collaboration between manufacturers and coating suppliers.

Many companies are exploring the technology through pilot lines and testing.

At the same time, adoption requires careful evaluation. As with any new process, long-term performance and reliability must be demonstrated, particularly where warranties are involved.

Working within the IONOMY ecosystem

Within IONOMY, IST METZ systems are developed in coordination with coatings and partner technologies.

This ensures that:

• Coating formulations are aligned with UV system characteristics
• UV system design is tailored to specific process requirements, including lamp power, spectrum and configuration
• Interdependencies between coating, curing and application are considered

This coordinated approach supports reliable implementation in industrial environments.

Looking ahead

UV technology offers a pathway to more energy-efficient and electrified production processes. As UV systems operate using electricity rather than gas, they can contribute to reduced CO₂ emissions, particularly when renewable energy sources are used.

Through IONOMY, IST METZ is working with partners to further develop UV applications in coil coating and support the transition towards more sustainable production.

This article was developed with Oliver Starzmann, Senior Manager Predevelopment / New Markets at IST METZ GmbH & Co. KG, a partner in the IONOMY™ ecosystem.