How vacuum plasma treatment reduced processing time by 91% before painting
A global building materials manufacturer replaced water-based cleaning and sandblasting with a faster and more controlled surface preparation process.
For the manufacturer, reliable surface preparation is essential before industrial painting. However, the existing pretreatment process relied on water-based cleaning and sandblasting. These energy-intensive and resource-heavy operations added complexity, handling steps and significant lead time to production.
The objective was clear: replace the traditional process with vacuum plasma treatment to reduce environmental impact while improving paint adhesion and overall process efficiency.
The challenge: Energy-intensive surface preparation before painting
The traditional pretreatment process created several challenges. High energy consumption, multiple handling steps and long lead times made production both costly and inefficient.
At the same time, the manufacturer needed a more stable and reliable surface to achieve consistent paint adhesion and meet strict quality requirements.
Initial testing with Tantec’s standard VacuTEC 8080 vacuum plasma system showed strong potential. The treatment improved the surface characteristics while enabling a more streamlined and controlled pretreatment process.
A vacuum plasma system built for industrial production
Based on the test results, Tantec developed a VacuTEC vacuum plasma system for the manufacturer’s production setup.
Designed as a chamber-based process, the solution was configured to integrate into the existing production flow and match the required production speed.
The result was a controlled and repeatable vacuum plasma treatment process that could be implemented without disrupting the overall production flow.
How vacuum plasma improves paint adhesion
Vacuum plasma treatment activates the surface at a molecular level. This creates a uniform and repeatable surface treatment that supports stronger and more consistent paint adhesion.
The dry process replaces water-based cleaning chemicals and sandblasting, reducing operational complexity and improving the production environment.
Combined with precise process control and scalability, vacuum plasma treatment provides a reliable surface preparation process for high-volume industrial painting.
91% shorter processing time
The impact was both immediate and measurable.
What previously took 68 hours can now be completed in just 6 hours. This represents a reduction of approximately 91% in total processing time.
With fewer handling steps, the production flow is now simpler and aligned with the speed of the existing paint line.
Performance has also improved. The manufacturer now achieves stronger and more stable paint adhesion, supported by higher and more consistent surface tension. The result is a reliable painting process that meets strict quality requirements.
At the same time, replacing washing and sandblasting has lowered energy consumption and reduced resource use, creating a cleaner and more controlled production environment.
A faster and more controlled painting process
This was more than a technical upgrade. It marked a shift towards a more efficient and resource-conscious production process.
By replacing two traditional pretreatment operations with vacuum plasma treatment, the manufacturer has reduced complexity, lowered energy consumption and improved paint adhesion.
One process instead of two.
Less energy. Faster production. Better results.