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Oliver + Batlle will share its latest innovations at Paint & Coatings 2025

Oliver + Batlle will be present at Paint & Coatings 2025, the leading trade fair for the paints, inks and coatings sector, to be held on 19–20 November in Barcelona.
Since its first edition, this event has become an essential meeting point for manufacturers, suppliers and technical professionals — a space to explore the latest trends and technological solutions shaping the industry.

With over 65 years of experience in the design and manufacturing of equipment for the production of paints and coatings, Oliver + Batlle reaffirms its commitment to innovation and customer proximity.
At this new edition of Paint & Coatings, the company will showcase its comprehensive range of solutions for dispersion, mixing and packaging processes, designed to enhance quality, productivity and sustainability in production.

Technological solutions for a more efficient and sustainable industry

At our stand, visitors will discover the latest innovations in industrial manufacturing equipment and process systems engineered to deliver efficiency, flexibility and control in production.
O+B solutions combine traditional mechanical robustness with advanced control software, ensuring optimal adaptation to each manufacturer’s needs.

Among the innovations presented are our smart packaging systems and process optimization technologies for dispersion, which help reduce energy consumption, increase process precision and ensure consistent quality across production batches.

Through these developments, Oliver + Batlle continues to drive the transition towards safer, more efficient and sustainable manufacturing, aligned with the industrial development and sustainability goals shaping the sector’s future.

Participation in the TechFocus programme

Once again, Oliver + Batlle will take part in the TechFocus programme, one of the most valued spaces of the event for its technical and informative orientation.

This year, Adrià Artigas, Laboratory Manager at O+B, will present the session “Testing laboratory to determine the most efficient solution for each need”, addressing how we support our clients from the initial concept to final product validation through tests, trials and technical consultancy.

Attendees will discover how our laboratory team works closely with manufacturers to validate new technologies, adjust production parameters or test new products under real conditions.
This technical proximity is one of Oliver + Batlle’s distinguishing values — a comprehensive support approach that goes beyond equipment supply and puts knowledge at the core of service.

A commitment to innovation and proximity

Participation in Paint & Coatings 2025 represents a new opportunity for us to connect with clients, partners and professionals from the paints and coatings industry, and to share our vision of a more advanced, digital and sustainable industry.

We look forward to seeing you at Paint & Coatings 2025

We invite all professionals in the sector to visit us and discover first-hand the solutions we offer to optimize manufacturing, dispersion and packaging processes.

Our team will be delighted to welcome you and exchange insights on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry.

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High output filling of stucco products for JOTUN

Introduction

In the paints and coatings sector, efficiency in manufacturing and packaging processes is key to ensuring competitiveness and maintaining high quality standards. In this context, JOTUN, one of the most renowned paint and coatings manufacturers worldwide, entrusted Oliver + Batlle to carry out a strategic project to automate its high-cadence packaging lines.

Company overview

Jotun is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of paints and coatings, with almost a century of expertise in protecting and beautifying surfaces across all industries. From iconic architectural landmarks to residential projects, Jotun has established itself as a trusted partner thanks to its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.

The company operates across a wide range of market segments:

  • Decorative paints for interior and exterior applications.
  • Architectural and design coatings providing both performance and aesthetics.
  • Infrastructure protection for industrial and large-scale projects.
  • Light industry with advanced powder coatings.
  • Shipping with marine coatings.

  • Energy sector with protective and powder solutions.

Jotun’s continuous investment in research and development reflects its focus on delivering environmentally friendly technologies and high-performance products.

Product to be processed

The project focused on stucco and wall putties for interior use, products that require precise and reliable handling due to their physical properties:

  • Specific gravity: up to 2.2 kg/dm³
  • Viscosity: medium range, up to 6000 cP

These formulations are specifically designed to provide excellent surface preparation, offering a smooth and uniform base layer for subsequent paint or coating applications.

Project objective

The customer’s objective was the supply of two complete high-speed filling lines for stucco and putty products, designed to deliver:

  • Packaging flexibility: from 0.9 L to 20 L (both pails and cans).
  • Universal configuration: each filling line capable of handling the entire range of formats.
  • Integrated discharge and pumping systems: dedicated tanks and pumping units for optimal feeding of the filling machines.

The ultimate goal was to achieve high output, reliable performance, and automated changeovers, ensuring consistent productivity and minimal downtime.

Oliver + Batlle solution

Oliver + Batlle supplied a fully integrated solution, combining precision filling technology with robust automation and handling systems.

Key components of the project included:

  • Pumping system: progressing cavity pumps installed beneath the product tanks, connected directly to the dosing heads for smooth and efficient product transfer.
  • Container handling:
    • Pail denester PAILMANAGER for conical stackable buckets.
    • Infeed table DB-SQ and conveyor for cylindrical cans.
  • Labelling: automatic labelling unit integrated into the line.
  • Filling and closing: FLASH-25-T filling line, including automatic lid placing, lid closing, and integrated checkweigher.
  • Automation: complete line with automatic format changeover for each machine.

Performance achieved:

  • Up to 20 containers/minute for 10 L buckets.
  • Up to 17 containers/minute for 20 L buckets.

Results achieved

The implementation of this solution has successfully met — and even exceeded — the customer’s expectations. The lines delivered:

  • High-speed performance: achieving the specified outputs with maximum accuracy.
  • Robust and reliable operation: guaranteeing long-term consistency without unplanned downtime.
  • Sustainable performance: aligned with Jotun’s strict quality and sustainability standards.

This project highlights Oliver + Batlle’s ability to design and implement turnkey filling solutions for high-viscosity stucco and putty products, ensuring efficiency, flexibility, and operational excellence.

Customer testimonial

“We are very satisfied with the project delivered by Oliver + Batlle. The installed filling lines have not only met but exceeded our expectations, achieving the desired filling rate and significantly improving operational efficiency. The solution is highly reliable and robust, with consistent performance and no failures.”

 

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Incorporation of Solids into Oil-Based Systems: Process Development and Pilot Solution for Industrial Formulations

In the technical materials industry—from plastics to specialized coatings—incorporating fine solids into oil-based systems poses a key challenge in terms of mixing and product stability. When working with highly viscous raw materials such as polybutene (PIB) or mineral oils, achieving a homogeneous dispersion, without incorporated air and with guaranteed long-term stability, requires precise process design and equipment adapted to the demands of the product.

In response to this challenge, OLIVER + BATLLE partnered with a client in the industrial plastics sector to co-develop and validate a tailored solution. The goal was to assess the technical feasibility of incorporating up to 4% fumed silica into two different oil-based formulations, while maintaining product homogeneity and ensuring scalability for industrial production.

 

Project Goal: Incorporate Fumed Silica into Oil-Based Carriers

The objective of the project was to develop a mixing process capable of incorporating up to 4% fumed silica into two distinct oil-based matrices:

  • Polybutene 
  • Mineral oil 

Both matrices are characterised by high viscosity, which makes it particularly challenging to disperse low-density solids while avoiding aeration and phase instability.

The key goals were:

  • Confirm the compatibility of OLIVER + BATLLE‘s dispersion systems with the chosen raw materials
  • Verify the efficiency and uniformity of the dispersion process
  • Demonstrate process viability on a pilot scale as a step toward industrial application

Step-by-Step Technical Solution: From Lab Testing to a Custom Pilot Unit

To meet the project requirements, OLIVER + BATLLE proposed a three-phase strategy that combined in-house lab testing, the development of a custom-built pilot mixer, and a full validation of the mixing process.

Phase 1 – Laboratory Trials

The initial testing phase took place in OLIVER + BATLLE‘s technical laboratory using a planetary mixer designed for high-viscosity media.

  • Multiple trials were conducted using different dispersion parameters and dosing sequences.
  • All tests were recorded and shared with the client for remote review.
  • Results exceeded expectations, delivering a homogeneous dispersion with no air entrapment or visible separation.

Phase 2 – Design and Delivery of a Custom Pilot System

Based on the successful lab tests, OLIVER + BATLLE designed and manufactured a bespoke pilot solution:

  • MPVDV-30 planetary mixer, adapted to the rheological requirements of the formulation.
  • Integrated vacuum powder loading system, enabling clean, safe incorporation of solids.
  • Plug & play configuration, compatible with the client’s R&D lab environment.

This pilot system was built to simulate full-scale production conditions while maintaining flexibility and ease of operation.

Phase 3 – Joint Validation (FAT + SAT)

The pilot unit was temporarily installed at OLIVER + BATLLE’s facility to carry out joint validation sessions with the client (FAT and SAT).

  • A total of 8 real product batches were produced during this phase.
  • Dispersion performance, final product quality and vacuum loading efficiency were thoroughly evaluated.
  • The tests confirmed the robustness of the system and its suitability for further scaling.

Project Outcomes: Efficient Solid Dispersion Without Defects

The project successfully met all its defined targets, with the following key outcomes:

  • Full process validation with client raw materials
  • Efficient incorporation of solids without air or visible defects
  • Custom-designed pilot mixer tailored to product viscosity
  • Smooth transition from lab trials to industrial-scale production
  • Client now fully equipped to continue development in-house

Conclusion: A Reliable Mixing Solution for Oil-Based Systems with Fine Solids

This project showcases how a combination of technical expertise, in-house validation and tailored equipment design enables industrial clients to solve complex formulation challenges. The incorporation of fumed silica into high-viscosity oil carriers is not only possible-it can be done efficiently and repeatably with the right process design and dispersion system.

Thanks to this collaboration, the client is now equipped with a validated, reliable solution for continued product development under real operating conditions.

 

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Development and Scale-Up of Paraffin Emulsion via Phase Inversion

1. Brief company description

Oliver + Batlle works in collaboration with a company specializing in the production of emulsifiers (paraffin emulsions), moisturizing agents, and solutions formulated with fats, waxes, and oils for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and home care sectors. Its focus is on sustainable innovation and the development of customized products designed to meet the specific needs of each industrial client.

2. Product to be processed

Paraffin-in-water emulsion, produced through a phase inversion process (W/O -> O/W), with 50% resin content.

The process begins with melting and mixing high-viscosity solids and ends with a fluid emulsion after the critical inversion phase. This variation in viscosity requires a custom-designed anchor agitator and heating at temperatures above 150°C.

 

3. Objective

Starting from a consolidated laboratory process for manufacturing this complex emulsion, the need was to scale it up to an industrial level.

The goal was to achieve a stable dispersion of 50% resin via phase inversion, while avoiding foam formation.

The main technical challenge appeared in the pre-inversion stage, where the product is especially viscous and difficult to mix Additionally, temperature control and water feed rate were identified as critical factors for final product stability.

4. O+B SOLUTION

OLIVER + BATLLE proposed a co-development strategy with the customer, using its in-house pilot plant to validate the mixing system design and tailor the equipment to the product’s characteristics.

Phase 1 – Pilot trials

Three pilot trials were carried out on a 150 L Polimix system, configured with a custom anchor (slow shaft) and a high-speed disperser (coaxial configuration).

The trials used thermal oil at over 150 °C to reach the required process temperature.

The goal was to validate the mixing capacity for achieving stable phase inversion.

Results:

  • Phase inversion was successfully achieved.
  • Some stability issues were detected in the batches compared to the target sample, attributed to process parameters (temperature and water flow) rather than the mixing system.
  • Equipment performance was excellent in terms of viscosity handling and behavior under critical conditions.
Phase 2 – Final solution

After confirming the technical feasibility, the customer acquired:

  1. 1 pilot unit VF-11 Special, with custom-designed anchor
  2. 1 thermal oil heater for the VF-11
  3. 1 production unit DPS-6000-OR Special, also equipped with the same custom agitator system and prepared for steam heating

 

 

During the manufacturing phase, the customer maintained access to the O+B pilot lab to continue developing the product, ensuring a smooth transition from pilot to industrial scale.

 

5. Results

  • Validation of the phase inversion process in a simulated industrial environment
  • Custom anchor design tailored to the emulsion’s mixing needs
  • Successful scale-up from laboratory to industrial equipment
  • Reduced technical risk thanks to joint development using O+B’s lab
  • Equipment currently installed and operational at the customer’s plant.

 

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HIGH-CAPACITY REACTOR FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL RESINS

1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CLIENT

An international textile-sector company with a highly integrated and sustainable insfrastructure, dedicated to the manufacture of high added-value products from recycled fibres and organic raw materials. With benchmark production capacity in its market, its industrial strategy prioritises efficiency, innovation, and the independence of key processes.

2. PRODUCT TO BE PROCESSED

Special resin used as a base component in formulations for technical textile applications.

3. OBJECTIVE

The client aimed to establish its own in-house production unit for this strategic resin, which had previously been purchased from external suppliers, in order to strengthen industrial autonomy and optimise production costs.

4. OLIVER + BATLLE SOLUTION

To address this challenge, Oliver + Batlle designed and implemented:

– 12,000-litre reactor for resin synthesis through monomer reaction, featuring:

  • Three-section half-coil for precise thermal control using steam and cooling water
  • Agitator shaft with two INTERMIG-type blades, Ø1850?mm
  • Semi-anchor Ø1700?mm
  • Construction material: AISI 316L stainless steel
  • Reactor working temperature: up to 150°C
  • Reactor working pressure: absolute vacuum to 3 bar g
  • Half-coil working temperature: up to 200°C
  • Half-coil working pressure: up to 10 bar g
  • 37 kW agitator motor with frequency converter

– Solids loading system using a screw conveyor, with sack and Big Bag unloading stations

– Complete process control system, including supervision of installation and commissioning on site

 

5. RESULTS

The project met the client’s needs with a robust, reliable and hygienic solution, ensuring consistent performance fully aligned with the highest quality standards.

 

 

accessories for the automation