FST recognized this and took action. On January 1, T & I started a new standalone unit dedicated to all surface technology issues relevant to FST: the Surface Technology team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSurface technology is enormously diverse and multi-layered. It\u2019s a huge field. FST deals with these topics in many different areas and at many different sites, but often independently of one another. We realized that in such a complex field, we need a central team to consolidate the know-how and coordinate and organize all questions on surface technology,\u201d explains the team leader Dr. Daniela Knecht, Vice President Surface Technology. FST was also looking for a team that could provide expert support on specific product innovation topics to developers in the lead centers. One example of this is the incubators, which FST is using to position itself for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Team-Surface-technology_small-1160x652.jpg\")
<\/figure>Beyond the surface of the finished part, surface technology has another \u201cdeep\u201d dimension. In a Simmerring\u00ae, for example, the sophisticated pretreatment of the metal surface ensures that the rubber and the metallic element form a strong bond. These kinds of functional rubber-metal or rubber-plastic bonds are essential to efficient seal performance \u2013 and becoming ever more important. In many new applications, it is increasingly impossible for a single material alone to fulfill growing demands and additional functions \u2013 such as electrical conductivity or insulation. This makes a company\u2019s expertise in surface technology all the more important. What matters here is in-depth knowledge of surface pretreatment, joining and bonding techniques, adhesive formulations and applications, coatings, and the associated processes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Broad and flexible<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the Surface Technology team\u2019s top priorities is to strengthen communication between experts \u2013 networking. \u201cWe need to coordinate more closely to avoid everyone developing things on their own, so that we learn from each other instead,\u201d Knecht says. At the same time, the team maintains close ties with other Freudenberg business groups, above all with Freudenberg Technology Innovation (FTI) and Freudenberg Chemical Specialities (FCS), especially with the affiliated company SurTec, which provides customized specialty chemicals for surface treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reducing complexity is another goal that Knecht describes. Her team wants to standardize the wide range of solutions used at FST, including the various adhesives, operating procedures in surface technology, and metal pretreatment processes. All of this is taking place against the backdrop of stricter legal regulations. When she outlines her unit\u2019s responsibilities, the team leader also points to other strategic concepts such as data management, data-driven development, and digitalization in surface technology. And multi-qualification. In other words, FST wants to broaden and diversify its sourcing of adhesives in order to boost security of supply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Innovative and sustainable<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another responsibility of the Surface Technology team is to expand the use of modern, sustainable, and cost-efficient technologies in surface technology at FST. A few keywords may illustrate the point: in Kufstein, FST introduced \u201cFreudenberg Adhesive Clean Technology\u201d (FACT) for the first time. This new solvent-free vacuum technology combines surface activation and coating in a single process step. The advantages are minimized chemical use, lower energy consumption and reduced CO2<\/sub> emissions, while it also improves adhesion and durability (another article on FACT will follow soon)<\/em>. Other process innovations that the Surface Technology team wants to advance across FST include efficient low temperature degreasing for cleaning metal parts, variants of plasma pretreatment for cleaning and activating surfaces, \u201cFreudenberg Adhesive Spray Technology\u201d (FAST) for applying adhesives, and \u201cReduced Friction by Nanotechnology\u201d (RFN) for minimizing friction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knecht emphasizes that her team and its initiatives are providing precise support for the key pillars of the current FST strategy \u2013 whether through the development of new products, process improvements in line with operational excellence, or the use of sustainable materials that meet compliance requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Surface Technology team has an international setup and consists of specialists with broad expertise across the full spectrum of surface technology. Team leader Dr. Daniela Knecht puts it succinctly: \u201cThe team brings together people whose expertise complements each other exceptionally well.\u201d These are: Katharina Gairing (Weinheim), Dominik Langore (Kufstein), Ursula Oyer, and Mike Moore (both in Plymouth). Starting in June, Dr. Yingjia Li will transfer into the team from the affiliated company SurTec as a scientific innovator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact: org-t-surfacetechnology@fst.com.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/fst-sw-2023_1-1200sq_0003_Vektor-Smartobjekt.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSurface Technology Team <\/h2>\n\n\n\n