What Does Coating Really Mean? Insights into a Versatile Technology

 

The term coating encompasses a wide range of applications and technologies that go far beyond simply applying a layer to a surface.

At Neschen, we understand coating not merely as a technical process, but as the deliberate functionalization of surfaces. A coated film, to us, is a material with enhanced properties—whether it’s improved printability, increased durability, or new technical functions.

A classic example is the microporous coating of plastic films, which allows them to absorb water-based inks—a prerequisite for high-quality inkjet printing. Applying pressure-sensitive adhesives for self-adhesive display or protective films also falls under coating. Similarly, in book protection products such as self-adhesive covers or laminated sleeves, the functional layer is critical for protection, handling, and cleanability.

 

Coating as an Industrial Manufacturing Process

According to DIN 8580, coating is classified as an industrial manufacturing process and is defined as:

The application of a firmly adhering layer of a formless substance onto a workpiece.

Typical examples include painting, electroplating, powder coating, or hot-dip galvanizing.

 

Functionality Through Layer Design

At Neschen, we coat primarily web materials such as plastic, textile, or paper-based films. Using processes like slot-die, reverse-roll, or air-knife coating, we can apply highly defined layers in the micrometer range—precisely controlled and tailored to the application.

 

These coatings provide, among other things:

• UV and weather resistance for outdoor graphic films
• Resistance to cleaning and disinfection for book protection materials
• Adhesion promoters and barrier properties for automotive composites
• Optical effects or anti-graffiti features in design applications

An expanding field is the use of coated films as part of composite systems –  such as decorative or functional surfaces in vehicle interiors. Here, our coatings contribute to making films scratch-resistant, UV-stable, and chemically durable.

 

Coatings in Everyday Life – Often Overlooked, Yet Essential

Even outside of classic industrial contexts, coatings play a crucial role. Since 2019, it has been permitted in the EU to apply edible coatings to certain fruits with inedible peels—such as E 471 (vegetable fats) or E 472 (sugar esters from plant oils). These coatings slow down spoilage and improve shelf life.

In the pharmaceutical sector, the coating of film-coated tablets protects active ingredients from light and stomach acid, while also making them easier to swallow. In technical composites, an ultra-thin coating enables strong bonding between otherwise incompatible materials.

 

Coating is much more than just “applying a layer.” It is a key technology that expands functionality, durability, and usability—whether in digital printing, book protection, or complex composite systems. For us at Neschen, coating is more than a name—it is our craft, our technology, and our contribution to sustainable, high-performance materials.