For voestalpine Wire Technology, this year’s world-leading trade fair for wire technologies was marked by a special milestone: the presentation of phreeco®, the new phosphate-free wire coating. The launch marks an important step in the further development of sustainable high-performance materials and underscores the company’s commitment to consistently aligning innovation with the real-world needs of its customers.
wire & Tube 2026 provided the international platform to discuss technological developments, market trends, and future requirements of the wire industry in their entirety. The goal was to translate complex challenges into concrete, applicable solutions - with a clear focus on performance, sustainability, and collaborative partnerships.
At the voestalpine Wire Technology booth, the focus was on five key topics:
At wire & Tube 2026, Bernd Strohhäussl, Head of Application Engineering, and Michael Staber, Senior Project Manager, presented the new phosphate-free wire coating phreeco® and demonstrated how sustainable surface concepts and high process performance can be successfully combined. phreeco® represents a fundamental technological step away from traditional zinc phosphate systems.
The coating was developed specifically for demanding cold forming processes and high degrees of deformation. It eliminates risks such as phosphorus-induced embrittlement while simultaneously reducing hazardous residues during component cleaning — with positive effects on downstream processes and workplace safety.
Furthermore, the presentation highlighted the industrial benefits of phreeco®: extended tool life, more stable processes, and higher production output. For users, this results in increased process reliability as well as measurable cost and efficiency advantages — while simultaneously meeting rising environmental and regulatory requirements.
In addition to technological innovations, the atmosphere at the voestalpine Wire Technology booth was characterized by openness, trust, and genuine dialogue. In-depth discussions with customers and partners, new perspectives, and direct, personal interaction made wire & Tube 2026 a valuable platform - going far beyond mere product presentations.
One thing became particularly clear: successful customer solutions emerge where dedicated teams are willing to go the extra mile. The trade show demonstrated once again that technological excellence and personal collaboration are inextricably linked.
Special thanks go to all visitors as well as the entire team at voestalpine Wire Technology, who contributed significantly to the success of the trade show appearance with their professionalism, team spirit, and great passion. wire & Tube 2026 has once again demonstrated that technological excellence and personal collaboration are inseparable.
Every time, wire & Tube shows us how important genuine conversations and collaborative partnerships are. Innovation arises where we truly understand challenges — and develop solutions together.
wire & Tube 2026 has come to a close - but its impact continues to be felt. The innovations showcased, particularly phreeco®, and the consistent focus on low-carbon processes underscore our commitment to actively shaping the future. At the same time, our focus remains clear: listening, understanding, and working with customers to develop solutions that deliver long-term value.
Sylvia Holly, Managing Director (CSO): Innovation as a driver for our customers’ industries
Sylvia Holly explains the topics currently driving our customers’ industries. The focus is on two key areas:
Gunter Korp, Managing Director (CTO): The fully integrated research and development structure
Gunter Korp provides insights into voestalpine Wire Technology’s fully integrated, data-driven R&D system. The close integration of steel production, casting, rolling, surface treatment, drawing, inline inspection, and application-oriented testing creates a closed development and data chain - and thus reliability and transparency for customers.
Dieter Kalcher, Head of Customer Relations & Sales: Real progress begins with face-to-face conversations
For Dieter Kalcher, face-to-face conversations remain the key to sustainable project success. Especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty, volatile markets, and strategic decisions, trade shows like wire & Tube provide the ideal setting to jointly develop viable solutions. A central topic of discussion: phreeco® as the combination of sustainability and proven performance.
Bernd Strohhäussl, Head of Application Engineering: phreeco® – the new phosphate-free coating
The focus of his interview is phreeco® in live application. The phosphate-free coating was developed specifically for demanding cold forming processes and combines high coating and forming performance with environmental responsibility. Eliminating phosphorus-containing systems reduces cleaning residues, avoids the risk of embrittlement, and ensures stable material integrity as well as longer tool life - a clear advantage for reliable, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing, even for safety-critical components.
Katharina Halwax, Application Engineer: Finding the right wire rod solution together
Katharina Halwax highlights the challenges involved in selecting the right wire rod: rising quality requirements, process stability despite tight tolerances, and pressure to reduce costs and enhance sustainability. The key lies in early collaboration. Through close communication with customers as early as the project initiation phase, we develop customized wire rod solutions that enable stable further processing and reliable component quality - accompanied by continuous technical support.
Bernadette Doppelhofer, Key Account Manager: The quality of drawn wire and what really matters
Bernadette Doppelhofer discusses the criteria that are most important to customers when it comes to drawn wire: consistently high tensile strength, tight tolerances, and reproducible quality throughout the entire drawing process. To meet these requirements, voestalpine Wire Technology relies on a holistic quality approach—from raw material testing at the wire rod level through eddy current inspection to air patenting via the Stelmor cooling line. The result: consistent material properties combined with greater efficiency and sustainability.
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