Swiss provider of advanced surface technologies and materials, Oerlikon has announced a CHF 40 million investment to establish a new innovation and production campus in Aargau, Switzerland. Named Campus Reichhold, the facility will consolidate the company’s three existing Swiss locations into a single site that integrates research and development, engineering, manufacturing, and customer service functions. It will also feature a dedicated test rig for aerospace turbine coating systems—supporting the company’s work in high-performance surface solutions.
“This investment reflects our long-term commitment to Switzerland, where our roots run deep,” said Prof. Dr. Michael Suess, Executive Chairman of Oerlikon. “The new Campus Reichhold will be instrumental in advancing our aerospace and general industry businesses by unifying the entire value chain in one collaborative environment. It also reinforces our position as an attractive employer in the region.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025, with completion targeted for late 2026. Operations are expected to launch in early 2027, bringing together approximately 250 employees currently spread across three separate Swiss sites.
Advancing Surface Technologies Across Sectors
The new campus is designed to support key industries, including aerospace, automotive, and general manufacturing. It will serve as a central hub for developing and testing next-generation thermal spray coatings and equipment, as well as laser-based technologies such as Direct Energy Deposition (DED). A highlight of the facility is its specialized turbine test rig, which allows coatings to be validated under real-world conditions.
These surface technologies are engineered to improve component performance in extreme environments. For example, certain coatings enable jet turbines to safely operate at temperatures up to 1,200°C, contributing to improved combustion efficiency and potential fuel savings of around 9%.
Sustainability will be a key feature of the campus, with measures aimed at reducing energy use, supporting low-impact mobility, and improving overall resource efficiency. According to the company, the site’s infrastructure reflects a long-term commitment to environmental responsibility and a focus on sustainable industrial innovation.
New Facilities Advance Innovation in 3D Printing Industry
In April, Conflux Technology, an Australian firm renowned for its metal 3D printed heat exchangers, announced the opening of its first European hub in the United Kingdom. The new facility marks a key step in Conflux’s international growth strategy and is set to boost support for European customers across sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy, defence, and e-mobility. Scheduled to open later this quarter, the UK hub will initially focus on research and development, materials certification, and addressing local supply chain constraints.
Elsewhere, ATI, US producer of high-performance materials, officially opened its new Additive Manufacturing Products facility, described by the company as home to the industry’s most advanced large-format metal additive manufacturing capabilities. This fully integrated site brings the entire production process—design, 3D printing, heat treatment, machining, and inspection—together under one roof.
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Featured image show Opening ceremony of the Innovation and Production Center on the Reichhold Campus. Photo via Oerlikon.
