Since 2002, the internationally renowned MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award has been presented annually by Munich Expo Veranstaltungs GmbH. This year, alongside BASF and Daimler, the high-performance microZINQ® technology is among the winners of this coveted award.

From numerous applications for the award, only technologies were honoured that met the high standards regarding intelligent material selection, manufacturing processes employed, design quality and degree of innovation. The award ceremony will take place on 15 October 2013 as part of the international trade fair for material applications, surfaces and product engineering, MATERIALICA, in Munich. Topics covered by MATERIALICA include Smart Materials (nanotechnology, adaptronics, etc.), Lightweight Design (composites, plastics, metals, etc.), Surface Technologies (e.g. coating technology) and Testing (innovations from material and component testing and simulation).

The microZINQ® project was submitted by Voigt & Schweitzer and Fontaine Technologie, which further developed ZINQ surfaces in pilot plants in Germany and Belgium and grants licences for ZINQ applications. Back in May 2013, „microZINQ®“ achieved a remarkable third place in the online nomination for the GreenTec Awards 2013, Europe's largest environmental and business award, ahead of Volkswagen and Procter & Gamble (Pampers). At the 11th MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award, which equally highlights design and engineering expertise, the microZINQ® technology convinced the expert jury and was awarded in the „Surface & Technology“ category.

„This award recognises our long-term approach to developing new, resource-efficient zinc coatings that offer superior performance in terms of both corrosion protection for steel and visual appearance, whilst using less zinc. Zinc savings of up to 80 % compared with conventional hot-dip galvanising in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1461, whilst providing equivalent, if not better, protection against rust – this is precisely what the microZINQ® technology achieves, combining all the advantages of zinc and aluminium in corrosion protection,“ explains Dr Thomas Pinger, Head of Sustainability and Innovation Management at Voigt & Schweitzer.

You can find more information about ZINQ® high-tech surfaces here or during a personal conversation, for example, at the MATERIALICA trade fair – Fontaine Technologie will be exhibiting in the High Tech Solution theme park, Hall 6 / 110.