On 30 June, 2026, our laboratory in China received its updated CNAS accreditation certificate and annexes, extending the accredited scope with four additional internationally recognized test methods. 

The following test methods have been added to the accredited scope: 

• ISO 6270-1: Paints and varnishes – Determination of resistance to humidity – Part 1: Condensation (single-sided exposure) 
• ISO 12944-6: Paints and varnishes – Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems – Part 9: Protective paint systems and laboratory performance test methods for offshore and related structures 
• ASTM G154-23: Standard practice for operating fluorescent ultraviolet (UV) lamp apparatus for exposure of materials 
• ASTM B764-04: Standard test method for simultaneous thickness and electrode potential determination of individual layers in multilayer nickel deposits (STEP test) 

Customers benefit from an even broader portfolio of internationally recognized testing services, supported by the high quality and reliability they have come to expect from IFO. 

You can find the accreditation certificate here. 

In May, IFO participated for the first time in the 31st PTC Galvanizing Symposium in Olsztynek, Poland. 

The event brought together experts from the galvanizing and steel construction industries to discuss current developments and future challenges. Through technical presentations and discussions, participants gained valuable insights and exchanged experiences with industry colleagues from across Europe. 

In addition to the professional programme, the symposium provided excellent opportunities for networking and establishing new contacts. IFO would like to thank the Polish Galvanization Assocation for the successful organisation and all participants for the valuable exchange. 

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Herrmann GmbH & Co. KG will become part of the IFO / QUBUS Group in July 2026. This merger will allow us to pool our expertise and strengthen our joint service portfolio in surface technology – with real added value for our customers and partners. 

For Dr. Herrmann's customers, everything will remain as they know it: familiar contact persons, proven quality, and the independent working methods of the laboratory will be retained in full. The traditional powder symposium will also continue – from 2027 under the leadership of the IFO / QUBUS Group. We look forward to further developing this established event together and continuing its success story. 

The merger is a clear signal of continuity, reliability, and sustainability in an industry characterised by technological development and a high focus on quality. 

The QUBUS and IFO group of companies will be presenting its combined potential in engineering services and laboratory expertise at PaintExpo 2026.

Visit our booth, number 1421 in Hall 1.

For more information about PaintExpo, please visit: www.paintexpo.de/en/

2025 was a particularly eventful year for us: countless exciting discussions, customer contacts, and joint projects made our anniversary year something very special. Our highlights included the big anniversary celebration in July, the reaccreditation of our laboratory in Dubai, and the opening of our new location in Lublin, Poland. 

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all our customers and contacts for their trust, cooperation, and valuable exchange. 

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

We will be closed for the holidays from December 19 through January 4. We will be back to business as usual on January 5. 

New challenges and exciting tasks await us again in 2026 – we look forward to shaping the future together with you. 

We are delighted to have been officially awarded the BSFZ seal for research-active companies. The BSFZ thus confirms that IFO GmbH implements eligible development projects, thereby strengthening its research and development expertise. 

As the central testing agency in Germany for research allowances, the BSFZ audits companies within the framework of the Research Allowance Act. The award underscores our commitment to progress and quality in Germany, to actively promoting technological innovations, and to developing forward-looking solutions. 

Since June 2023, the BSFZ seal has been open to companies and offers partner and customers transparent guidance on a company's innovative strength and research activities.

We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our IAS certification renewal. 

Along with the renewal, we were able to extend our scope with the following nine new test methods for our laboratory in Dubai: 

1. ASTM E112 – Standard Test Method for Determination of Average Grain Size 
2. ASTM G69 – Standard Method for Measurement of Corrosion Potentials of Aluminium Alloys
3. ISO 2178 – Non-Magnetic Coatings on Magnetic Substrates 
4. ISO 6270-1 – Part 1: Single Side Condensation
5. ISO 12944-6 – Part 6: Corrosion Protection of Steel Structures by Protective Paint Systems 
6. ISO 12944-9 – Part 9: Protective Paint Systems for Offshore and Related Structures 
7. ISO 16474-3 – Accelerated Weathering of Paints 
8. ISO 2808 Method 6A – Determination of Film Thickness 
9. Wet Adhesion Test – As per QCT 

In addition to our ISO 17025 accreditation, the IAS (International Accreditation Service) accreditation confirms our laboratory as an independent and internationally recognized testing laboratory. 

Last Friday, we celebrated out 30th anniversary with a summer party at our company headquarters in Schwäbisch Gmünd. Around 250 invited guests – including employees, customers, partners, and long-time companions – accepted our invitation and experienced a day full of connection, insight, and good atmosphere. 

We opened the afternoon with an in-house exhibition: Guests were given the opportunity to get to know our diverse areas of work and tale guided tours through our laboratory facilities for a behind-the-scenes look. 

After a festive champagne reception, we moved on to the festively decorated tent. With fresh ice cream, cool drinks and barbecued food, there was not only culinary enjoyment - the focus was also on personal interaction. 

A varied program rounded off the day: An interview with our four company founders offered exciting insights into the history of the company's origins. Swabian cabaret artist Ernst Mantel provided the best entertainment. Musical entertainment was provided by The Wow. Finally, our DJ got the guests dancing. 

We would like to express our sincere thanks for the numerous congratulations, beautiful gifts - and above all for the personal encounters.