Vacuum Coating Machines Companies

*Disclaimer: List of key companies in no particular order

Top listed global companies in the industry are:

• Applied Materials Inc.


• ULVAC Technologies Inc.


• Buhler Leybold Optics


• Optorun


• Aixtron SE


• Shincron Co. Ltd


• Von Ardenne GmbH


• IHI HAUZER B.V.


• Hanil Vacuum Co. Ltd.


• Denton Vacuum LLC., and others.

A Glimmering Competition: Navigating the Landscape of Vacuum Coating Machines

The global vacuum coating machine market is a fiercely contested arena where players vie for a reflective market share. Understanding the strategies that polish their edge, the factors influencing success, and emerging trends is crucial for navigating this dynamic space.

Key Players and their Strategies:

• Global Technology Giants: Titans like Applied Materials and ULVAC leverage extensive product portfolios, brand recognition, and technological prowess to secure a significant market share. Applied Materials offers diverse coating solutions across industries, while ULVAC excels in high-precision thin-film deposition technologies.


• Regional Champions: Companies like Buhler Leybold Optics and Optorun dominate specific geographies by tailoring solutions to regional regulations and industry needs. Buhler Leybold Optics caters to Europe's high-tech demands, while Optorun excels in cost-effective solutions for growing economies.


• Agile Innovators: Startups like Onefinity CNC and MakerMade disrupt the market with fresh approaches. Onefinity focuses on user-friendly, affordable machines for hobbyists and small businesses, while MakerMade pushes the boundaries of speed and performance with its advanced systems.

Factors for Market Share Analysis:

• Product Breadth and Depth: Offering a variety of machines for diverse applications (optics, semiconductors, electronics) and coating materials expands market reach and caters to varied customer needs.


• Technological Innovation: Integrating advanced features like automated loading, multi-target sputtering, and real-time process monitoring enhances efficiency, precision, and performance. ULVAC's high-precision deposition systems illustrate this.


• Cost-Effectiveness and ROI: Balancing advanced features with affordability is crucial, especially in price-sensitive segments. Optorun's cost-effective machines have secured a strong foothold in emerging markets.


• Service and Support: Offering comprehensive after-sales support, including installation, training, and readily available spare parts, fosters customer loyalty and market penetration. Applied Materials excels in this area with its extensive service network.

Emerging Trends and Company Strategies:

• Focus on Green Technology: Developing environmentally friendly coating processes with reduced emissions and resource consumption aligns with sustainability initiatives. Onefinity's energy-efficient machines exemplify this trend.


• Industry-Specific Solutions: Tailoring machines to specific industries like photonics or biomedical devices with specialized features and software compatibility attracts targeted customer segments. Buhler Leybold Optics' solutions for optics manufacturing illustrate this approach.


• Open-Source Software and Customization: Offering open-source software platforms and flexible hardware designs empowers users with greater control and customization options. Onefinity's open-source software exemplifies this trend.


• Integration with Automation and Industry 4.0: Developing machines compatible with robotic loading systems and integrated into broader manufacturing workflows enhances efficiency and data-driven optimization. MakerMade's automated loading systems exemplify this trend.

Overall Competitive Scenario:

The vacuum coating machine market presents a dynamic landscape where global giants face challenges from regional specialists and innovative startups. Success hinges on offering diverse product portfolios, embracing cutting-edge technology and sustainability, catering to specific industry needs, and adapting to automation and Industry 4.0 trends. Companies demonstrating agility, cost-effectiveness, and a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility hold a strong hand in navigating this ever-evolving market.

Latest Company Updates:

November 2023

A magnetron-sputtered vacuum deposition (MSVD) coater has been introduced by Vitro Architectural Glass at its Baja California, Mexico, facility. Architectural, automotive, and oversized glass in dimensions up to 130 by 240 inches will have solar control low-E coatings applied by the MSVD machine.

Glass producers can apply incredibly thin silver layers to their glass to produce low-E coatings that transmit high daylight levels while deflecting solar radiation thanks to the MSVD coating process. By lowering the need for artificial lighting, air conditioning, and heating, Low-E glass improves the energy efficiency of houses and structures.

The business can move the production of some of its low-E glass products to Planta Mexicali by investing in a new MSVD coater. As a result, the Western United States and Mexico will have easier access to high-performance glass, allowing them to produce more Solarban solar control low-E glass at their Carlisle and Wichita Falls plants.

March 2023

Spartek Inc., an injection moulder, has acquired Marca Coatings Technologies LLC, a manufacturer of customised equipment for metalizing materials, including plastics, through its proprietary physical vapour deposition technology.

Marca manufactures the CM40, a plastic cutlery metalizing system, as well as automated Revolution 3D vacuum metalizers with integrated coating lines. In Gorham, Maine, the company maintains a 23,000-square-foot facility. Marca provides one of Spartek's three metalizing machines. By purchasing the business, Spartek also gains access to a fourth fully automated, high-speed, inline coating and metalizing line.  

This is the second acquisition that Spartek has made recently. 2019 saw the purchase of Mauston, Wisconsin's VP Vacuum Platers LLC.