Unitherm Nova Coating formally inaugurated its advanced physical vapour deposition (PVD) coating services facility in Pune on 16 January 2026, marking the operational launch of a joint venture between Unitherm Engineers Limited of India and NOVA Coating Group of Germany. The facility has been set up to serve high-performance requirements in cutting tools and dies and moulds, addressing growing demand for advanced surface engineering in manufacturing.
In addition to PVD coatings, the Pune facility offers polishing and surface preparation services to optimise coating effectiveness. Plasma nitriding is available as a surface hardening process, positioned as an eco-friendly option that does not use toxic gases. The service portfolio also includes vacuum heat treatment for dimensional stability and material optimisation, as well as chemical and laser texturing for precision surface structuring and improved functional performance.
The Pune unit brings together Unitherm’s experience in heat treatment services in India with NOVA Coating Group’s capabilities in PVD and plasma-based surface technologies. The facility has been designed to deliver consistent coating quality, shorter lead times, and process reliability aligned with international standards.
The new facility is equipped with advanced plant technology for depositing duplex and hybrid coatings, with operations managed by trained personnel under what it described as “Team NOVA.” Process documentation, quality control, and operating specifications are aligned with global quality requirements followed by NOVA Coating Group in its international operations.
The core objective of the venture is to improve tool life, reduce friction, and enhance surface performance for industrial applications. The services are intended to support customers across sectors including automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing, where component durability and process efficiency are critical.
Unitherm Nova Coating was established in January 2025 and is incorporated in Mumbai. The joint venture is governed by a board comprising Aditya Ramnarain Bakshi, Dr. Georg Erkens, Rene Scheibe, and Christian Patrick Kolb. While the PVD coating operations are based in Pune, Unitherm Engineers maintains heat treatment facilities in several Indian industrial centres, including Bengaluru, Pune, Bhiwadi, and Chennai.
Unitherm Engineers Limited operates in the commercial atmospheric heat treatment segment in India, while NOVA Coating Group, headquartered in Germany, specialises in surface treatment technologies such as PVD coatings and plasma processes.
