In-Metals, a leading company in colored stainless steel for architectural coatings and elevators, has presented the Decorinox project. With the support of the Fast Track Innobideak program from the SPRI Group, the company has developed decorative black finishes using PVD Magnetron Sputtering technology, ensuring their suitability for outdoor applications.
The new decorative black finishes, offering previously unavailable features, provide resistance and stability against external atmospheric conditions. Previously, decorative black finishes were limited to interior use due to degradation from UV radiation, humidity, and temperature fluctuations.
The transition from distribution to in-house manufacturing is expected to increase the company's added value, expanding its product range and enabling access to more technically demanding applications and new international markets.
The project originated from a need identified through daily experience with clients and decorative stainless steel projects, noting a growing interest in black finishes. However, a significant limitation was observed: existing market solutions lacked the necessary resistance and durability for outdoor use. Through extensive testing and analysis, stable black finishes for outdoor conditions have been achieved.
The absence of specific regulations initially posed challenges, but in collaboration with Tekniker, environmental factors affecting the material were analyzed, and various tests were conducted. Results indicated that process parameters can influence performance, allowing for the adjustment of solutions to achieve the most resistant finishes.
The company highlights that this project has deepened their understanding of PVD coating processes, enabling them to move from being distributors to developing their own solutions, leveraging their market knowledge and technological capabilities.
The Fast Track Innobideak program has revealed a nearby industrial and technological ecosystem capable of developing new ideas and fostering business growth. The collaboration with Tekniker served as a prime example of combining scientific-technical knowledge with market understanding.
