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Acquisition of CWS Lackfabrik GmbH completed

KANSAI HELIOS has completed its acquisition of CWS Lackfabrik GmbH (“CWS”). The deal was first announced at the end of November 2022. The transaction is a milestone for KANSAI HELIOS and strengthens KANSAI HELIOS system supplier strategy. It is in line with the ESG and growth strategy of the company and a perfect complement and extension of company competences, in powder coatings and synthetic resins as well as the existing liquid coating business.

With the closing KANSAI HELIOS becomes the new owner of CWS Lackfabrik GmbH (“CWS”) and its group companies in Germany, USA, Denmark and Poland. CWS is a well-known powder coatings and liquid as well as solid synthetic resins producer, with more than 150 years of tradition and its headquarters in Düren (Germany) with around 250 employees. The company is in its best shape, in terms of revenue, profit, development potential and market shares.

This consolidation represents a long-term development opportunity for KANSAI HELIOS to increase the market position in the coatings industry especially in the field of powder coatings, as well as synthetic resins.

You can read the full story here.









Now even more Coatings Expertise

Introducing the latest member of the KANSAI HELIOS Group

Since 1 August 2022, KANSAI HELIOS Wefa has been the youngest member of the KANSAI HELIOS Group. Formerly Westdeutsche Farben GmbH (“wefa“), the company has built up an excellent reputation and a strong market position as industrial coating producer in Germany over the past decades. The company continues its business operations at the previous location in Essen/Germany. It will continue to dedicate itself to the development and production of railway coatings and ACE coatings.

Combined coating know-how

wefa products are part of the group’s comprehensive brand range and clearly complement the existing brand range in the areas of railway coatings and ACE coatings. In the railway segment, KANSAI HELIOS will thus bundle its entire expertise worldwide with two brands: wefa and Rembrandtin.

KANSAI HELIOS is thus strengthening its market position with a second location in Germany and taking another important step towards increasing its competence as a system supplier for industrial coatings in Europe.

Meet Rembrandtin and Wefa at Innotrans 2022 in Berlin

Two strong brands and the complete know-how for railway coatings combined and personally for you on site. From 20 to 23 September 2022, Rembrandtin and KANSAI HELIOS Wefa will be on site together for the first time at the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology. At the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology, you will have the opportunity for the first time to discover the entire product range of Rembrandtin and wefa railway coatings. Our experts on site will inform you in detail about the latest developments.

We are looking forward to meeting you in Hall 8.1 / Stand 345. Get your free ticket code by E-Mail now!





photovoltaic backside

Environmental Award for Rembrandtin Photovoltaic Backsheet Coating

Rembrandtin has developed a special coating for the repair of cracked photovoltaic backsheets that extends the service life of damaged photovoltaic modules.  The innovative coating system was awarded the ÖGUT Environmental Award 2021. Rembrandtin thus sets another milestone in the ESG strategy of the KANSAI HELIOS Group

OEGUT Award ceremony

Monika Auer (Secretary General ÖGUT), Henriette Spyra (BMK), Gabriele Eder (OFI), Christoph Auner (Rembrandtin Coatings GmbH) Andrea Reithmayer (ÖGUT-Präsidentin), Photo: © Katharina Schiffl / ÖGUT

On 31 March, 2022, the Austrian Society for Environment and Technology (ÖGUT) honored the best sustainability projects with the ÖGUT Umweltpreis (Environmental Award). The top prize in the category “With research and innovation to the circular economy” went to Rembrandtin. Our innovation – a special coating system for photovoltaic backsheet films – makes a significant contribution to increasing confidence in PV technology. In addition, according to the ÖGUT jury, the project “…can help Austrian companies such as Rembrandtin Coatings GmbH and Kioto, as well as research institutions such as the consortium partners PCCL, OFI, MUL or SAL involved in the PV Re^2 project, to take a leading role in PV module technology, strengthen their international competitiveness and further expand the renewable energy sector.” The performance and applicability in the field of coating structure was evaluated and tested in the course of the PV Re^2 project.

Sustainable repair of PV backsheet films: the project at a glance

Polymeric photovoltaic (PV) backsheets are designed to protect photo-electrically active components of photovoltaic modules from environmental influences. Rembrandtin has developed a special coating system consisting of primer and topcoat that restores damaged electrical insulation properties of backsheets. Further growth of near-surface microcracks is prevented and deep backsheet cracks are repaired. This can significantly increase the useful life of solar modules. In the course of the project, the applicability of the coating system was tested by the consortium partners to ensure the optimal function and quality of the coatings. PV modules in operation with cracked polyamide backsheets were disassembled and collected, and two different types of cracks, both microcracks and deep cracks, were investigated.

photovoltaic site inspection

Innovative coatings for renewable energy systems by Rembrandtin

Click here for more information about our coatings for renewable energy systems. 





Rembrandtin exhibits at Progetto Fuoco 2022

High-heat resistant in more than 20 colors. This is what our Thermodur brand stands for. As a specialist in innovative coatings for stoves, fireplace inserts and stovepipes, Rembrandtin will be represented with the Thermodur series at the upcoming international trade fair for heat and energy production equipment.

Our experts will be happy to advise you on site, from May 4 –7, 2022 in Hall 8, Booth B8, about our high heat resistant coatings that open up completely new design possibilities for your products.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Contact us for a day ticket!

Thermodur logo and oven




CWIEME Logo

Meet us at CWIEME 2022

Rembrandtin, our specialist for core plate varnishes, will be exhibiting at CWIEME 2022 – the trade show and conference for coil winding, insulation and electrical manufacturing.

Visit us at stand B15 in Halle 2.2.

Our experts will be grlad to advise you in detail about our Remisol core plate varnishes. These water-thinnable coatings are environmentally friendly, chrome-free and low-emission. They have been specially developed for the electrical insulation of electrical sheets. You can find more information about our Remisol electrical sheet coatings here.

Your free ticket to CWIEME 2022





coperion extruder

Extruders for the powder coating manufacturing of tomorrow

KANSAI HELIOS Group has just expanded its powder coating production using two ZSK Mv PLUS extruders with 43 mm screw diameters from Coperion. At Helios Coatings Italia and Helios Coatings Deutschland the twin screw extruder technology was installed and will increase efficiency through smart features.

High dispersion performance and universal suitability

Due to its very high dispersion performance and its suitability to a very broad range of recipes the Coperion ZSK extruders fulfill very high quality requirements, flexible options when manufacturing powder coatings and ensure efficient operation. Equipped with the new, user-optimized CSpro control system, complexity of its user interface is greatly reduced without losing any well-known functionalities. It can be operated intuitively by touch and the risk of possible operator error is markedly reduced.

Additionally, both of KANSAI HELIOS’ ZSK extruders have been equipped with electronically secured maintenance doors at the gearbox lantern. The screw shaft coupling can be accessed safely and quickly, leading, for example, to a clear reduction in downtime during machine maintenance and a resulting increase in the machine’s efficiency.





Powder for Sublimation Print

Powder primer for wood effects on aluminium profiles

Wood and wood imitations are permanently in trend – at home between one’s own four walls as well as outside. In both interior and exterior architecture wooden constructions are a popular stylistic element. But as great as wood is as a building material, it also has its disadvantages especially in terms of maintenance. Aluminum is therefore preferred, particularly for large glass facades. In order to give the facade a natural or unusual look, it is possible to optically enhance the aluminum surfaces with sublimation printing or to design them even more creatively. The special ECOSUBLIFIX primers of our Ecopolifix brand form the basis for the print.

Diverse design possibilities through sublimation printing

In sublimation printing ink-designed decorations are transferred from the substrate to a coated surface. This transfer occurs through heat treatment with a special coating (base material) and is also called a film transfer. For the transfer of the embellishments two industrial processes can be applied, depending on the geometry of the parts to be sublimated. For aluminum profiles or objects with a more complex geometry, the transfer film is wrapped around the support and welded. The air is extracted to create a vacuum and to ensure good adhesion of the film. The film transfer takes place in the oven at 200°C for a few minutes. For aluminum plates or flat objects the transfer film is stretched over a carrier. The decoration is transferred in a few minutes using a printing press with a 200°C heated plate.

With both methods the inside of the ink – the sublimation ink – is protected from external influences. Accordingly, the finished decor has excellent durability. Depending on the customer wishes, wood, marble or granite decorations, or numerous other designs, patterns, colours and shades can be imitated. Originally, the sublimation technique was developed for the textile sector, but for several decades it has also been used for the design of aluminum windows, window frames, curtain walls, doors or sectional doors, etc.

Modern Architecture House wood metal
aluminium wood window frame

Polyester powder base for any wood effect

Ecopolifix already offers a range of sublimation coatings suitable for realistic imitations of different types of wood on aluminum panels. The products guarantee full coverage of all color shades required to reproduce any wood effect. They offer great transfer properties for wood effect sublimation films and excellent protection against weathering. Due to the many different color shades they allow an unlimited range of decorations. Some carrier layers also have a surface that is characterized by pleasant warmth and softness.

Main characteristics of the polyester powder primers:

  • Average application thickness 80–120 µm
  • Full cure temperature 200°C x 15–20 minutes
  • High cross-linking density
  • Easy removal of the film after sublimation
  • High resolution, decorative ornaments
  • Excellent weather resistance

More information about Ecopolifix 





Sample Plates of EP 11-26 Epoxy primer in spray cabine

High-solid Epoxy Primer EP 11-26

No sagging up to 200μm, easy application, fast drying and overcoatability are only a few highlights of the primer EP 11-26. This innovative high-solid epoxy primer is an environmentally friendly coating solution due to its low VOC content. The primer is suitable for various surfaces and allows wet-on-wet application. It is used in the system of corrosion protection for various objects and fields:

  • vehicles,
  • agricultural and construction machinery,
  • agricultural equipment,
  • rail vehicles,
  • steel construction,
  • machine components and more.

Are you interested in this high-solid epoxy primer?

Our expert will be glad to support you:

Miha Dergan
mihael.dergan@helios.si
+386 41 355 038