Impact Coatings has entered into a collaboration with Smoltek Hydrogen to explore the potential integration of Smoltek Hydrogen’s carbon nanofiber (CNF) technology into the Impact Coatings INLINECOATER™ series of PVD systems.

Carbon nanofibers have the potential to significantly enhance the performance of coatings used in PEM electrolyzers and PEM fuel cells – two critical applications in the transition to green hydrogen.

The aim of the collaboration is to evaluate whether Smoltek’s proprietary CNF technology for growth of nanofiber can be effectively integrated into Impact Coatings’ INLINECOATER systems, and to validate the scalability and industrial feasibility of manufacturing CNF-enhanced coatings in volume production environments.

Jonas Nilsson, CEO of Impact Coatings:
“We look forward to working with Smoltek Hydrogen to explore how their innovative CNF technology can complement and strengthen our coating technology offering. By combining our expertise in PVD coatings with their groundbreaking materials, we aim to develop solutions that meet future needs in hydrogen production and fuel cells.”

Ellinor Ehrnberg, CEO of Smoltek Hydrogen:
“This collaboration with Impact Coatings is an important opportunity to further explore the potential of our CNF technology and bring it closer to commercialization. By combining our expertise in carbon nanofibers with Impact Coatings’ experience in PVD technology, we look forward to jointly exploring new ways to enhance performance in critical applications such as PEM electrolyzers and fuel cells.”

The INLINECOATER™ series, comprising the IC500, IC500+, and IC2000, will now be available with optional HiPIMS (High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) technology as a customer-specific feature. HiPIMS enables improved coating uniformity and performance in tailored applications. The technology requires specialized power supplies, which will be provided by Swedish company Ionautics AB, a spin-off from the research environment at Linköping University.

“Together with Ionautics, we have successfully tested the HiPIMS technology at one of our INLINECOATER customers, with very positive results,” said Kristian Hillgren, CTO at Impact Coatings. The test involved retrofitting an existing INLINECOATER IC500 with HiPIMS power supplies from Ionautics. The retrofit was carried out jointly by engineers from both companies, with coating process optimization conducted in close collaboration with the customer’s experts.

Successful tests were performed on the INLINECOATER™ IC500 using HiPIMS power supplies from Ionautics

HiPIMS technology will be offered as an option for all machine types in the INLINECOATER series, with first deliveries expected in Q3 2025. Retrofit solutions will also be available for existing INLINECOATER systems upon request.

Jonas Nilsson, CEO of Impact Coatings, commented:
“By combining our expertise in building machines for high-volume production with Ionautics’ deep knowledge of coatings and power supply technology, we can quickly deliver new, commercially viable solutions that meet the demands of large-scale manufacturing.”

Johan Ahlström, CEO of Ionautics, added:
“Impact Coatings’ systems – designed for both prototyping and high-volume production – together with the collaborative opportunities at their Coating Service Center in Linköping, make them an ideal partner for commercializing next-generation HiPIMS-based coatings.”

About HiPIMS

HiPIMS, or High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering, is an advanced physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology that uses short, high-power pulses to create dense, uniform, and high-quality thin films. Compared to conventional sputtering, HiPIMS enables better control over film structure, improved adhesion, and enhanced performance in demanding applications. The technology is particularly suited for precision coatings in industries such as automotive, electronics, and hydrogen energy.