Will you be launching new products or services in 2025?
Our plasma surface treatment technology for activation, cleaning and coating is already the standard for many applications in the electronics industry. For example, Openair-Plasma^® is already used to improve the adhesion of conformal coatings. However, we are always looking to develop new applications and improve existing technologies and systems.

For example, our newest technology is called HydroPlasma. It can be used to remove inorganic contaminants, such as flux residues from metal surfaces. Secondly, we are introducing a dielectric barrier nanocoating that can be applied with our PlasmaPlus^® coating process, especially on small electronic circuit boards for wearables. The huge advantage here is the ideal thermal conductivity due to its very thin properties. We are talking about a 800 -1200 nm coating that can be applied very selectively.

Starting in mid-January, we will present a new application for our REDOX^®-Tool. In addition to the inline reduction of oxide layers in the production process of power modules, we will now introduce this tool to produce lead frames. By reducing oxide layers from lead frames, we can achieve a throughput of up to 850 UPH. The tool will be available at our Singapore subsidiary for customer demonstration throughout the year. 

Finally, we are launching our latest jet technology, a particle-free jet, called PFA10, which can also be used in the semiconductor industry. With this jet, we can realize a copper oxide reduction process to achieve the strongest adhesion force for the hybrid bonding process.

Is your company using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools?
We use CRM tools such as Salesforce that already have artificial intelligence (AI) implemented. In addition, our employees are open to using popular AI tools such as ChatGPT for non-confidential work. 

We are currently evaluating the potential use of additional AI tools across the organization. A lot of potential and rationalization will be realized in design and purchasing, but also in production itself, which is still 100% realized at our headquarters in Steinhagen, Germany.

We also see potential for AI in sales, for example in identifying potential markets, analyzing customer needs and developing customized offers.

Have supply chain shortages been resolved and are you able to hire skilled workers? 
Fortunately, the supply chain bottlenecks of the past have more or less returned to normal. Finding skilled workers and employees is still a challenge, but one that we manage well. We have been recruiting internationally for many years, not only in our subsidiaries, but also at our headquarters in Steinhagen, Germany. In some teams, English is the "official language" as colleagues from different countries work together. We attract candidates with flexible working hours, an attractive salary and other benefits.

What is the outlook for your business in 2025?
The outlook for our business in 2025 presents challenges and opportunities for both Plasmatreat and the industries we serve. 

The current uncertainty in the automotive sector will be challenging, but fortunately the applications of plasma technology are very diverse, and we serve multiple segments, so we can offset a downturn in the automotive sector with growth in other areas or create new application opportunities.

We see a huge potential for the use of the Openair-Plasma^® technology to produce the latest technology in power electronics by enabling 100% yield in sintering processes by our new REDOX technology.

Additionally, we are able to support the designing and manufacturing process of the AI chip manufacturing with our newest particle free jet PFA10. Again, here we can realize processes such as the hybrid bonding process.

While 2025 may bring challenges, our diversified business model and solid project opportunities put us in a good position to weather these uncertainties.