Bags packed, boarding passes ready — next stop: Asia.
Today our CEO Andreas Fritz and our Sales Manager Alexander Götz set off for China and Taiwan.
Joining them are Ralph Matthäus (Wittmann Härterei), Frank Werz (Werz Vacuum Heat Treatment), and Benjamin Langer (Siegener Werkzeuge) — all members of the Industrieverband Härtetechnik.
The occasion:
A few years ago, the Taiwanese Heat Treatment Association visited us at our headquarters in Ötisheim, as well as Härterei Wittmann. Now we’re returning the visit.
The goal:
No heat treatment plant is like the next. Whether it’s operation size, internal processes, or component cleanliness requirements — we want to see the complexity of heat treatment plants in the Far East firsthand.
And of course, we’re not showing up empty-handed. With this many stops on the itinerary, the gifts added up fast — Tetris skills definitely came in handy when packing the suitcases. A logistical feat, in every sense of the word.
No Compromises on Cleanliness.
A microgram of oil on an engine component can cause a thermal barrier coating to fail. A single titanium chip in the wrong part can trigger a failure with existential consequences in aerospace. That’s the enormous responsibility industrial component cleaning carries: as the last step before assembly and delivery, it determines whether an assembly is fit for service.
Markus Mitschele, Sales Manager at HEMO, sat down with Zerspanung Maschinenmarkt to talk about how we secure this final mile. In the interview, he shares:
▶ Why solvent cleaning is more cost-effective than aqueous processes for oil-based applications
▶ How two cleaning processes can be combined in a single system when customers work with oils and emulsions at the same time
▶ Why aerospace auditors now demand seamless, digital process documentation — and how OPC UA delivers that
He also discusses two trends increasingly shaping the industry: cleaning titanium chips in the context of the circular economy, and rising quality requirements in the defense sector.
Not every system needs to be able to do everything. It just needs to be able to do the right things. 🎯
We see it time and again in practice. Many cleaning applications don’t need a high-performance system loaded with every conceivable extra — they need a solution that runs reliably, stays cost-effective, and still doesn’t compromise on cleanliness. That’s exactly why we developed the HEMO COMPACT: a deliberate return to the essentials.
The benefit for our customers is clear: you’re not paying for features you’ll never use. Even the base system runs entirely under vacuum, cleans in two well-engineered steps — spray and immersion cleaning, followed by vapor degreasing and vacuum drying — and continuously reprocesses the solvent through permanent distillation. Direct heat recovery further reduces energy consumption, and with it, operating costs.
What sets the HEMO COMPACT apart is its flexibility in batch size. Basket dimensions can be freely selected between 480 x 320 x 200 mm and 600 x 400 x 300 mm, at no extra cost. The system adapts to the part — not the other way around.
And it’s engineered from the ground up, not stripped down: teleservice, barcode scanning, and automated loading come standard.
Because requirements grow over time, the HEMO COMPACT was designed from day one to be expandable. Additional equipment such as ultrasonic cleaning or a fine-cleaning tank can be retrofitted as needed. That’s investment security in practice: buy exactly what you need today, and stay ready for more tomorrow.
This clarity of concept is built into every system we make — the standard we’ve held for nearly 50 years of developing cleaning technology out of our headquarters in southern Germany.
🎬 We are excited to finally share our feature in the German TV series Hidden Champions by Welt der Wunder! 🎬
For those outside Germany, Welt der Wunder is a renowned media platform dedicated to innovation, science, technology, and the companies shaping the future.
We are proud to be part of this series and excited to share our story with all of you.
Enjoy the video!
Click here to watch our video on YouTube.
Where Technical Cleanliness Meets Sustainability: Modern BEYOND Cleaning for Sensor Housings
The demands on technical cleanliness keep rising. At the same time, sustainability and resource efficiency are becoming ever more critical.
That’s why a U.S.-based sensor manufacturer replaced its previous aqueous multi-stage cleaning system with a modern BEYOND system from HEMO, combining water- and solvent-based cleaning in a single process. Even complex internal geometries are reliably freed of chips, oils, and residues, while components come out with a flawless surface finish.
The key benefit for the customer:
The process blends a polar and a non-polar cleaning medium for cleaning, then physically separates and reprocesses them afterward. This delivers high cleaning quality while significantly cutting resource consumption. On top of that: automated loading and unloading, intuitive operation, and built-in capacity reserves for future requirements.
Another core element is the closed-loop process design: the cleaning media are reprocessed through distillation and reused in the cycle, substantially reducing overall consumption.
This project shows that high cleaning quality, cost-efficiency, and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive — they can work hand in hand.
Thank you to our customer for the trust and the strong partnership.
From Challenges Come Solutions. From Solutions Come Innovation.
HEMO named among Germany’s TOP 100 Innovators for the second time
Last Friday, our Managing Director, Volker Hösel, had the honor of receiving the TOP 100 Innovation Award in Heidelberg. A special highlight of the ceremony was the personal congratulations from former German President Christian Wulff.
For us, innovation means continuously challenging the status quo and consistently advancing processes, technologies, and solutions. This commitment is not just a statement—it is reflected in nearly 50 years of innovation at HEMO.
Almost all key technologies in solvent-based and hybrid cleaning systems used today are based on patents developed by HEMO GmbH. Most recently, we also patented a completely new cleaning process: the BEYOND technology.
At HEMO, innovation is never the result of individual effort alone. It emerges from decades of experience, deep technical expertise, curiosity, and a shared commitment to developing the best possible solutions for our customers.
That is why this award belongs to our entire team. Thank you for your daily dedication, your expertise, and your passion.
Surface Alliance Sales Meeting 2026
A global network comes together.
This week, we welcomed the Surface Alliance to our HEMO headquarters in Ötisheim, Germany.
More than 50 participants from around the world joined us for several days of exchange and collaboration — traveling from India, Taiwan, China, Norway, the United States, and many more countries.
The meeting started with an informal get-together, followed by presentations, discussions, and updates across the network.
Topics included:
✔ Current projects and future opportunities
✔ Market insights from around the world
✔ Collaboration across the Surface Alliance
✔ International perspectives and experiences
While the sessions provided valuable insights, some of the best moments happened in between — over coffee, at dinner, and in spontaneous conversations.
What stood out most was the openness of everyone involved. Different markets, perspectives, and cultures came together in a spirit of open exchange and collaboration.
A sincere thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to these inspiring days — especially those who traveled long distances to be with us, and to all Surface Alliance partners for their trust and commitment.
We leave with stronger connections, fresh inspiration, and great momentum for what’s ahead.
See you at the next Surface Alliance Sales Meeting!
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
— Henry Ford
A Cleaning System Longer Than an Olympic Swimming Pool
For a manufacturer of stainless steel tubes with extremely high requirements for technical cleanliness, we were tasked with a challenge that could not be solved with standard equipment.
Tubes up to 24 meters in length had to be cleaned under strictly defined cleanliness specifications. At the same time, the required annual throughput amounted to several million meters of material.
The result is a 60-meter-long tube cleaning system featuring a treatment chamber of more than 24 meters and batch weights of up to 3,000 kilograms.
The cleaning process runs entirely under vacuum conditions. First, the tubes are cleaned in a solvent bath, followed by vapor degreasing in solvent vapor, rinsing with steam, and intensive drying.
A key feature of the system is its tiltable treatment chamber. By adjusting the angle, flow conditions inside the tubes are significantly improved. At the same time, the tilting function combined with high-performance pumps enables extremely fast filling and draining cycles—critical to achieving the required throughput.
In addition, the loading carriage can be divided into separate zones using adjustable segment boundaries. This allows the system to be flexibly adapted to different tube lengths.
We would like to thank our customer for this exciting project and for their trust in HEMO.
The BEYOND Process – A HEMO Innovation
Since 2017, HEMO has been developing the BEYOND process and protecting the technology through patent filings. The process builds on our proven VAIOCS and SOLVACS technologies, extending their process capabilities with a new approach to industrial parts cleaning.
Until now, hybrid cleaning technology has been the established standard for demanding applications. It uses solvent and water-based media in two separate process circuits, enabling the effective removal of both organic and inorganic residues from components.
BEYOND takes this principle one step further.
During the cleaning process, solvent and water are combined directly in the process chamber to maximize cleaning performance. After the cycle, both media are separated again, individually purified, and returned to their respective circuits.
This approach delivers excellent cleaning results while significantly reducing batch times.
BEYOND is particularly well suited for applications with high levels of aqueous contamination, such as components processed after vibratory finishing or machining with water-based coolants and emulsions.
The goal of the BEYOND process is to replace maintenance-intensive and cost-heavy multi-stage aqueous cleaning systems with a single-chamber solution that simplifies operation while maintaining or improving cleaning performance.
This development reflects HEMO’s continuous focus on innovation and forms the foundation for advanced cleaning solutions designed for demanding industrial requirements.
Modernizing Cleaning Technology for an International Precision Components Manufacturer
A mid-sized, internationally operating manufacturer of precision components based in Bavaria produces parts for the automotive, medical, aerospace, and defense industries. As part of its long-term modernization strategy, the company is gradually replacing existing cleaning systems from other suppliers with HEMO systems.
The driving forces behind this upgrade are increasing requirements for cleaning quality, process reliability, and energy efficiency.
The latest system was designed primarily to expand production capacity. The objectives were clearly defined: double the throughput of the existing system, achieve a higher level of cleaning performance, and ensure reliable 24/7 operation.
This marks the second HEMO installation at the company’s facility in Poland. The first was a hybrid cleaning system integrated into the heat treatment department.
For us, customer support extends well beyond delivering the equipment.
Commissioning at the Polish site is carried out by our Polish-speaking service team, providing on-site support in the customer’s native language. At the same time, we are managing additional projects in Canada and the United States, including the relocation and recommissioning of existing systems with the support of our U.S.-based service team.
We would like to thank everyone involved for the excellent collaboration and for their continued trust in HEMO.
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Zoology Meets Industrial Cleaning Technology
This Time: At the Natural History Museum Basel
HEMO’s success story in bone degreasing began in 2016 with the development of our first cleaning system for the Natural History Museum of the Burgergemeinde Bern.
When bones are not thoroughly degreased during preparation, residual fats can cause long-term damage to the bone structure. Over time, this may lead to degradation of the organic matrix, discoloration, and reduced material stability. Many older degreasing systems still struggle with these issues.
In addition, conventional processes often required several weeks to complete, resulting in high energy and solvent consumption. The solvents commonly used also created noticeable odors, affecting the working environment, occupational safety, and day-to-day operation.
With HEMO’s solution, the process has changed significantly:
Batch times of approximately 1–4 days instead of more than 200 hours with previous technology
Compliance with current standards for degreasing technology
Dramatically reduced solvent consumption—virtually zero during normal operation
No significant odor emissions
Lower overall energy consumption
Most importantly, the system delivers significantly improved and highly reproducible degreasing results.
Compared directly with older technologies that are still in use at many institutions, the system demonstrates what is possible with modern degreasing technology.
We would like to thank the Natural History Museum Basel for this exciting project and for placing their trust in HEMO.
Heilbronn University Visits HEMO: A Firsthand Look at Industrial Parts Cleaning
This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming 25 engineering students from Heilbronn University to our headquarters in Ötisheim.
As part of an excursion for the Environmental and Process Engineering program, the students, accompanied by Professor Dr. Mannschreck, gained firsthand insight into industrial parts cleaning and the quality requirements that come with it.
The visit included demonstrations of modern analytical methods used in our laboratory to assess component cleanliness, as well as hands-on insights in our technical center. Using our cleaning systems, we explained both the underlying principles of industrial cleaning and their practical application in real-world manufacturing environments. The program concluded with a guided tour of our production facilities.
The students’ thoughtful questions and the engaging technical discussions throughout the day highlighted how relevant these topics have already become through their elective course on Technical Cleanliness.
We would like to thank Professor Dr. Mannschreck and all participating students for their interest and the valuable discussions. It was a pleasure to share our expertise and provide the next generation of engineers with practical insights into our field. We wish them continued success in their studies and look forward to seeing them again in the future.
New Addition to Our Technical Center: Low-Pressure Plasma System
We’ve expanded our technical center with a new low-pressure plasma system from Diener Electronic.
The system is primarily used for customer trials, allowing us to selectively post-treat cleaned components. Depending on the application, the process can further increase surface cleanliness or precisely modify surface properties to meet specific requirements.
Plasma cleaning is an ultra-fine cleaning process that uses ionized gases—such as oxygen or argon plasma—to remove contaminants at the molecular level. Organic residues are broken down through chemical reactions and ion bombardment, converted into volatile compounds, and then removed from the surface.
One of the key advantages of plasma treatment is that it not only cleans the surface but also activates it. This improves surface wettability and creates ideal conditions for the adhesion of subsequent coatings, paints, or adhesives.
For this reason, plasma cleaning is widely used as a surface preparation step before bonding, painting, or coating. Typical applications can be found in the semiconductor, medical device, automotive, and aerospace industries.
For us, this new low-pressure plasma system is more than just another piece of equipment in our technical center. It is a valuable addition to our process capabilities, enabling us to develop and validate even more effective cleaning solutions for our customers.
New Precision Cleaning System for a Customer in Norway
We recently completed the installation of a new precision cleaning system for an internationally operating defense manufacturer headquartered in Norway.
While this is the first HEMO system at the company’s Norwegian facility, two HEMO systems are already successfully in operation at its plant in Spain. The new installation in Norway replaces an aging cleaning system from another supplier.
The Challenge
The system had to handle a mixed production environment in which newly designed cleaning baskets and several thousand existing baskets—with significantly different dimensions—are processed simultaneously during normal production.
To meet this requirement, we developed a flexible loading concept. Specially designed basket carriers, individually matched to the different basket sizes, ensure secure handling and reliable transport throughout the cleaning process. Processing the baskets on two parallel tracks creates an efficient material flow while keeping operation straightforward and user-friendly.
The system is engineered to deliver consistently high cleaning performance under these demanding conditions. At the same time, it is robust and intuitive enough to operate reliably without requiring highly specialized or extensively trained personnel.
What Makes This System Stand Out
One of the key factors behind the increased throughput is the use of fast-cycle programs that operate with just a single process tank. This is made possible by the high efficiency of the integrated solvent purification system, which provides exceptional process stability and consistently high cleaning performance.
Energy efficiency was another major focus. By recovering and reusing thermal energy multiple times throughout the process—up to five times within the system’s energy cycle—we significantly reduced overall energy consumption.
This project once again demonstrates that the best cleaning solutions are those designed around each customer’s specific production requirements. We would like to thank our customer for the excellent collaboration and for once again placing their trust in HEMO.
Stamping Technology Congress 2026
The Stamping Technology Congress 2026 in Dortmund, Germany, brought together around 200 participants and 33 exhibitors from the metal stamping and forming industry, offering a focused overview of current topics across the sector.
The discussions centered on key practical challenges related to production stability, part cleanliness, and process integration. Our Sales Manager Markus Mitschele represented HEMO on site and presented our field-proven solutions for industrial parts cleaning.
In the metal stamping and forming industry, parts cleaning has long become a critical factor for stable manufacturing processes. Increasing demands for cleanliness and consistent quality have a direct impact on the entire process chain as well as on the final products.
With nearly 50 years of experience in industrial parts cleaning, we ensure that components are reliably cleaned after production and properly prepared for downstream manufacturing steps.
When Particles No Longer Stand a Chance
During the mechanical processing of ferromagnetic materials (e.g., grinding, drilling, turning), residual magnetism can develop in the components.
The problem: extremely fine ferromagnetic particles are effectively held in place by this magnetism—especially at edges, bores, and magnetic pole areas. Even processes such as ultrasonic cleaning or high-pressure flushing often have only limited effect here.
The practical consequence: residual contamination remains in the system, processes become unstable, and rework increases.
An important but often underestimated step is therefore demagnetization prior to cleaning, which can be technically implemented via a demagnetization module integrated into the loading system.
By applying a decaying alternating magnetic field, the magnetism in the component is specifically reduced, allowing particles to detach freely again. Residual magnetism is typically measured in A/cm and, depending on the application, is often below < 2 A/cm—significantly lower for sensitive components.
For technically clean and process-reliable cleaning, this is in many cases not an option, but a prerequisite.
At HEMO, we already take these effects into account when designing our cleaning systems and consider component conditions holistically—from machining through to stable, process-reliable parts cleaning.
Compact design. Strong performance.
Söderlunds Metall AB, based in Gnosjö, Sweden, is a highly specialized precision turning company with extensive in-house manufacturing capabilities. As part of a modernization project, the company set out to replace its existing cleaning system. The goal was to implement a solution that would integrate seamlessly into the existing production environment while delivering a significant improvement in cleaning performance.
The decision was made in favor of HEMO GmbH, based on its strong technical expertise, well-engineered system design, and consistently reproducible cleaning results.
The installed solution is a compact cleaning system with an integrated flood tank for degreasing and part cleaning. It combines a heated process chamber with spray and flood cleaning functions, a fully enclosed machine design with integrated safety containment, as well as vacuum technology and a built-in distillation unit. The system was further enhanced with an automated loading and unloading unit, allowing the customer’s existing cleaning baskets to be integrated and ensuring a stable, highly continuous, and interruption-free process.
A key highlight of the system is its use of CNp (cyclic nucleation process). This technology generates controlled microbubbles in the cleaning medium, which collapse and release localized energy, effectively removing even the finest contaminants from complex part geometries.
The results were immediate and highly convincing: just one day after commissioning, components with blind holes were reliably cleaned for the first time – achieving a level of cleanliness that had not previously been reached.
In the end, the customer received not only a reliable and process-safe cleaning solution, but one that clearly exceeded expectations.
We would like to thank Söderlunds for their trust and the excellent partnership.
New loading system for faster and more flexible production workflows
Higher production volumes and shorter cycle times are creating new challenges for many manufacturers. That’s exactly why we at HEMO have further developed our loading solution.
The new design enables significantly larger and heavier batches: instead of the previous 1,200 mm, lengths of up to 1,500 mm are now possible, and the maximum load capacity has increased from 350 kg to 500 kg. At the same time, the loading and unloading process is much faster—the time from opening to closing the door is reduced by around one third. This makes the solution especially attractive for applications where speed and heavy loads are critical.
The key advantage lies in the new process flow: the loading unit is already positioned in front of the cleaning chamber at the correct height. After the cleaning process, it is simply moved horizontally toward the batch, shifts into the unloading position, and the baskets are transferred onto the رولler conveyor as before. Opening and closing the chamber door can now take place simultaneously with the lifting movements, saving valuable cycle time.
Another benefit: the variable loading height simplifies integration into existing systems and opens up new possibilities in plant design. For example, with a higher working chamber, tanks can be positioned underneath the cleaning chamber to save space, resulting in a smaller footprint.
With this enhancement of our proven technology, we offer our customers a solution that accelerates processes, increases flexibility, and significantly improves efficiency in day-to-day production.
Precision cleaning for the highest demands
At HEMO, our HEMO Titan is part of our portfolio of cleaning systems designed to meet even the most stringent cleanliness and safety requirements.
The system shown here is designed for components with batch sizes of up to 3,000 × 600 × 600 mm. It uses our proven hybrid cleaning process—combining modified alcohol with two aqueous tanks (cleaning/DI rinsing)—which reliably removes a wide range of contaminants and delivers highly reproducible results.
The result: maximum component cleanliness and near-zero reject rates—especially critical for high-value components.
This HEMO Titan was specifically developed for a project in the European defense industry. It is used for the fine cleaning of rocket propulsion components, where even the smallest contamination can be critical. Accordingly, the requirements for cleanliness, documentation, and traceability are exceptionally high.
Efficient solvent purification in our cleaning systems
In our systems, the purification process begins in the evaporator, where the solvent is separated from the oil. The vaporized solvent is then re-condensed and returned to the cleaning tank as condensate. This keeps the cleaning tank consistently clean and eliminates the need to ever replace the solvent.
In our advanced residual distillation stage, the oil is continuously concentrated until it is automatically discharged from the system into an external drum, while the solvent remains almost entirely within the cycle.
This closed-loop process reliably reduces losses, conserves resources, and ensures consistently high solvent quality—supporting efficient solvent recovery and a stable cleaning process.
On the Road in Turkey: Intensive Discussions, Valuable Insights
Last week, our sales representative Karl Trautz, together with Metin Güler, Managing Director of our Turkish partner BEA Makine, visited numerous customers – including in Ankara, Istanbul, and Bursa.
The appointments included automotive suppliers, specialized turning shops, and companies from the aerospace sector. Projects were refined, technical details were checked directly on the equipment, and requirements were clearly defined.
Visits like these repeatedly demonstrate that personal, on-site interaction makes all the difference. It allows customer-specific production and manufacturing requirements to be discussed in detail and tailored solutions to be coordinated.
Particularly memorable was the hospitality shown by Metin and his colleagues – professional, attentive, and friendly, even after long days of appointments.
Dear Metin, thank you for your dedication and for the constructive and successful days.
Our New HYBRID for Carbide Tools: Peak Performance in Cleanliness and Efficiency
For one of the world’s largest carbide tool manufacturers, we have implemented a new HYBRID parts cleaning system that vividly demonstrates the potential of combining aqueous and solvent-based cleaning.
Even under the highest cleanliness requirements for carbide tools, the system delivers spotless and low-particle cleaning results. Thanks to the flexible use of solvents and various aqueous cleaners, results are achieved that were previously unattainable with purely aqueous or exclusively solvent-based systems.
In addition, the system impresses with high energy efficiency due to internal multiple reuse of the energy applied. Solvent and water consumption is reduced to nearly zero, while space requirements – especially compared to purely aqueous transfer systems, which often have more than 10 baths – remain minimal. At the same time, the user- and maintenance-friendly system design ensures high cost efficiency in daily operation.
The HYBRID technology combines different cleaning principles into a consistently stable, efficient, and future-proof system concept.
We thank our customer for their trust and for the collaborative and constructive partnership.
HEMO GmbH is a TOP INNOVATOR 2026!
For the second year in a row, we are among the Top 100 most innovative mid-sized companies in Germany—an honor that makes us extremely proud!
For decades, we have been pioneers in technology: from forward-looking cleaning systems to groundbreaking solutions in automation and material handling. For us, innovation is not just about new technologies—it’s about having the courage to think differently, question the status quo, and turn ideas into reality.
This recognition reaffirms the work we do and demonstrates that our ideas and dedication are paying off. A heartfelt thank you goes to our committed team, our partners, and our customers, who support and accompany us on this journey.
At our two locations in Ötisheim and Bretten, Germany, HEMO comes to life – delivering solutions defined by precision, reliability, and quality ‘Made in Germany‘, designed for customers around the world.
Here, ideas take shape, innovation moves forward, and progress becomes tangible. From the first conversation with a customer to the completion of a system, we combine local expertise with global reach – ensuring that our plants and systems set the standard worldwide.
Our Fleet in a New Look
Our service technicians are on-site with our customers every day – whether for training, retrofits, maintenance, or commissioning. To ensure they can work reliably and efficiently, they are supported by a modern fleet of vehicles.
Starting in 2026, our fleet will feature a new look: professionally wrapped, clearly recognizable, and ready to get the job done at our customers’ sites.
