40 years of VULKAN INOX: International partner conference dedicated to innovation and cooperation
Hattingen / Essen, January 2026 – VULKAN INOX was founded in 1985 and has been synonymous with high-quality stainless steel abrasives and innovative solutions in surface technology for four decades. To mark its 40th anniversary, the company invited its global partners to Germany for a multi-day anniversary event. Over the course of three days, the meeting provided an opportunity for professional exchange, innovation, and personal encounters, true to the motto “Moving Forward Together.”
Where industrial heritage meets modern surface technology - Moving forward together
The official kick-off took place on Thursday at the Oktogon in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein. The conference focused on key topics for the future, such as business development, sustainability, and product innovation. Renowned, high-profile speakers from industry and science in the field of surface technology presented practical insights and current developments, which intensified the international exchange of knowledge.
The Zollverein World Heritage Site, a historic industrial location that has undergone an impressive transformation into a cultural meeting place, provided the ideal setting: here, the history of heavy industry meets modern abrasive technology and innovative surface solutions—a living symbol of transformation and progress.
The conference focused on key future topics such as business development, sustainability, and product innovation, presented by Managing Director Marc Hidde and André Hahn, Head of Quality Management.
IKS Dresden, represented by Ms. Christiane Boinski, presented the services offered by IKS. She particularly highlighted the company's experience and technical capabilities in the field of corrosion research. Ewald Dörken AG, represented by Sabrina Hilbt and Andrė Fackiner, presented the basics as well as the new generation of PFAS-free zinc flake coatings. Bernstein Mechanische Fertigung offered a special practical highlight: Ronny Bernstein and Marc Krause presented the new TWISTER—a globally unique, compressed air-free blasting technology for surfaces of the highest quality, which was tested extensively on site. Scientific perspectives were provided by the Technical University of Chemnitz, represented by Mei Yun Liu, with a presentation on inverse process models through targeted characterization of surface features.
VULKAN-INOX Sales Manager Christian Hoffmann gave a presentation on current developments in the field of corrosion protection, including sweep blasting of hot-dip galvanized steels and stainless steel substrates. The program was supplemented by case studies on surface pretreatment and surface finishing with the company's own stainless steel blasting media GRITTAL® and CHRONITAL®.
“Our 40th anniversary is a milestone that we look back on with pride. At the same time, we see this occasion as an opportunity to actively shape the future of surface technology together with our partners. With our motto ‘Moving Forward Together,’ we are sending a clear signal for cooperation, innovation, and sustainability.” Marc Hidde, Managing Director VULKAN INOX.
The day's events were rounded off with a guided tour of the Zollverein World Heritage Site and a dinner together at the Zollverein Casino against an impressive industrial backdrop.
Friday was devoted entirely to a tour of the Hattingen site. The focus was on networking, personal exchange, and sharing experiences along the entire value chain.
At the end of the event, all participants gave consistently positive feedback. The event was very well received, strengthened existing partnerships, and provided clear impetus for future cooperation. This has set the course for a continued successful international future for VULKAN INOX and its partners.
VULKAN INOX would like to thank all partner companies, speakers, and participants for the intensive exchange, the trust, and the shared vision for the future—and looks forward with confidence to the next decades of international cooperation.