The Lüdenscheid Plastics Institute has been investigating the application of surface and thin-film technologies specifically for use in plastics since 1990, and has worked on joint projects with over 350 companies during this period. Employing a staff of 40, the institute generated annual revenues of approximately 4 million euros. The main shareholder, with 75% of the Institute GmbH, is a promoting company whose membership has risen to over 140 firms since 1988. The city of Lüdenscheid holds a 25% share. The network's activities focus on surface engineering and decorative finishing processes for plastic components, the modification of tool and component surfaces with the aid of surface and thin-film technologies, and surface analysis and testing. All of these sectors include surface protection and decoration and the creation of functional surfaces in their range of services. In addition to company joint ventures and R&D projects, the companies can avail of a wide range of services for solving company-specific tasks. Practical knowledge is passed on to the companies through numerous professional development and training measures. Other opportunities for technology transfer are provided by numerous external activities such as trade fairs, lectures at various events, publications and the network's own newspaper.

The various working groups in the network are currently dealing with the following topics:
1. methods of surface treatment and decoration for plastic parts
2. lotus effect® on plastics
3. hybrid technologies, plastic-metal composites
4. surface and thin-film technologies for moulds
5. optimising surface properties by inductive heating of injection moulding tools
6. creating design surfaces with combined surface and thin-film technologies
7. creating biomimetic surfaces
8. antibacterial plastic surfaces
9. lubricant-free injection moulds
10. back injection of metal
11. media-tight metal / plastic bonds
In addition, the following services are offered:
- process development and optimisation
- extensive analysis technology (colour and gloss measurements, surface energy, scratch and abrasion resistance, measurement of coating thickness)
- application-oriented selection of surface and layer technologies for moulds
- complete execution of processing steps: definition of pre-treatments and after-treatments, sampling of individual decoration processes including the introduction of new decoration technologies (prototypes, sampling, practical damage analysis)

Application Centre for Surface Technologies (AOT)
The AOT was equipped with systems for various coating technologies. This equipment allows the quick production of prototypes, close-to-production sampling, and small-batch production based on established processes.
The Centre comprises the following core stations:
- a robot coating station
- a plastic electroplating station
- a coating station using cubic printing / digital direct printing
- an IMD manufacturing cell
In addition, various printing systems, a laser and a blasting system were installed. The test and analysis department was also expanded considerably.
Technology transfer shows possible applications for innovative surface treatment methods. Companies can test these applications at the Centre and apply new surface technologies to their initial samples without having to invest in new equipment themselves at this early stage. Failure analyses are also possible, thereby securing running processes. The Institute also offers capacities for development and technological expertise.