E-Archive

VOL. 26 July ISSUE YEAR 2025

BACK

Articles

in Vol. 26 - July Issue - Year 2025

Revolutionary Booth Concept EcoProBooth Honored With PACE Pilot Award 2025

Frank Herre (left), Director Automotive (Paint Shop) at Dürr, and Daniel Ackermann, Senior Manager, Product Management at Dürr, accepted the PACE Pilot Award

A maximum air recirculation rate of 95% reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions

EcoProBooth combines interior and exterior painting in one booth

In the Spotlight

The Dürr Group is one of the world's leading mechanical and plant engineering firms, with particular expertise in the technology fields of automation, digitalization, and energy efficiency. Its products, systems, and services enable highly efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes—mainly in the automotive industry and for producers of furniture and timber houses, but also in sectors such as the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, medical devices, electrical engineering, and battery production. In 2024, the company generated sales of €4.7 billion. The Dürr Group has around 18,400 employees and 139 business locations in 33 countries. As of January 1, 2025, the former divisions Paint and Final Assembly Systems and Application Technology were merged to form the new Automotive division. Since then, the Dürr Group has been operating in the market with four divisions: • Automotive: painting technology, final assembly, testing and filling technology • Industrial Automation: automated assembly and test systems for automotive components, medical devices, and consumer goods, as well as balancing technology solutions and coating systems for battery electrodes • Woodworking: machinery and equipment for the woodworking industry • Clean Technology Systems Environmental: air pollution control and noise abatement systems

EcoProBooth reduces energy consumption of spray booths. A Dürr innovation has impressed an independent review board, earning the Automotive News PACE Pilot Award on April 15 in Detroit. The EcoProBooth revolutionizes the painting process with its modular box layout. Its flexible design accommodates different car body sizes and painting processes, significantly reducing energy, paint, and solvent consumption—making it a highly efficient and sustainable solution.

"We are very proud that our technology has been recognized as a groundbreaking innovation that will be shaping the automotive industry," said Daniel Ackermann, Senior Manager, Product Management at Dürr. “With 14 patent applications, nine of which have already been granted, Dürr’s EcoProBooth is positioned to transform the industry and set new benchmarks in energy efficiency and cost savings.”

All-in-one solution

The EcoProBooth, combined with the EcoBell4 Pro generation, enables both vehicle interiors and exteriors to be painted in the same booth using either solvent- or water-based paints. The universal atomizers generate narrow jets for the interior and wide jets for the exterior, including the use of metallic paints. This eliminates the need to move car bodies between spray booths, which saves time. Tasks are distributed effectively, allowing idle robots to undergo cleaning or maintenance without production downtime. For this, robots can move to integrated service cubicles located in each corner of the spray booth.

Maximum production and energy efficiency

The booth size accommodates all car types, from compact models to SUVs. Instead of a traditional linear layout with fixed cycle times, the painting boxes are arranged in a parallel production layout, such as Dürr’s "paint shop of the future." This allows for flexible tact times and maximum efficiency. Additionally, EcoProBooth achieves a 95% air recirculation rate, using only 5% fresh air—minimizing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. In total, it reduces energy use by up to 80% compared to wet scrubbers in classic lines, and by 45% compared to conventional dry scrubbers in line.

The 5th annual PACE Pilot program was presented by Automotive News. The competition was open to suppliers and startups that invented products, software/IT systems or processes, and idea incubators that have the capacity to transform the automotive industry. The Automotive News PACE Pilot program is leading the way in distinguishing global emerging innovators.

For Information:

Dürr Systems AG

Carl-Benz-Str. 34

74321 Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany

Tel. +49.7142.78-4899

E-mail: carina.lachnit@durr.com

www.durr.com