The company

Who we are. What drives us.

Since 1995, the IFO Institute for Surface Technology has stood for scientific independence, accredited test procedures and a practical approach that can only come from three decades of industry experience.

Neutral in judgement. 
Precise results.

The IFO Institute for Surface Technology is the independent, DAkkS-accredited testing and certification institute for coatings and coating systems. As a neutral authority between manufacturers, processors and clients, we create reliability - through objective test results, recognised certifications and an interdisciplinary team of engineers, chemists and experts.

Our strength lies in the combination of scientific depth and a practical approach - for results that are internationally recognised and provide companies of all sizes with a reliable basis for their quality decisions.
IFO and QUBUS management at the Schwäbisch Gmünd site (from left): Christian Deyhle, Ulrich Mäule, Michael Müller and Marc Holz.

Founded and managed out of conviction.

The IFO was founded in 1995 by four surface technology experts in Schwäbisch Gmünd - with the clear aim of creating a truly independent, scientifically sound institute.

What began as a regional service provider is now an international organisation with its own locations in the Netherlands, China and Dubai - and more than 4,000 customers from over 75 countries.

Accreditation: objectivity that can be proven.

DAkkS accreditation is the external, state-recognised confirmation of our technical expertise. The German Accreditation Body regularly and independently checks whether we fulfil the strict requirements of international standards.

For our customers, this means that IFO test results and certifications are recognised worldwide through the ILAC-MRA agreement - legally secure, reliable and usable in over 100 countries without the need for re-testing.
Certificates for download

Test laboratory

DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 
D-PL-11086-01-00

Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance

IFO & QUBUS - Our services
around the production

IFO and QUBUS are two independent companies with a common conviction: that quality in surface technology can only be achieved when laboratory and consulting, testing and planning, science and practical relevance work together. 

While the IFO, as an accredited testing and certification institute, stands for objective results, QUBUS contributes its engineering and planning expertise - from system planning to process optimisation directly at the customer's site.
Paint shop / Coating Paint
Evaluation of the layer quality
Adhesion test
Corrosion and climate tests
Process optimisation
Planning and retrofitting paint shop
Authorisation procedure BImSchG
Extinguishing agent balance according to 31. BImSchV
Explosion protection
Total production
Certification of coating companies
Quality and quality monitoring (QUALANOD, QUALISTEELCOAT, QUALICOAT, GSK, GSB, QIB)
Environment and occupational safety (external occupational safety experts, external environmental officers, AwSV plant documentation)
Management systems (energy, quality, environment)
Fire protection (fire protection concept, extinguishing water retention, fire assistant training)
Energy efficiency (energy check, energy optimisation, waste heat register, coordination of funding projects)
Goods delivery / warehouse
Material testing
Supplier qualifications
Logistics concepts
Sales, marketing, administration
Product certificates according to customer requirements
Building envelope / structure
Coating inspection
Maintenance of buildings
made of steel and aluminium
Monitoring the execution
Corrosion protection for new buildings
Laboratory / QA
Corrosion resistance tests
Material and damage analysis
Chemical and physical tests
Mechanical tests
Expert reports and loss analyses
Fresh water and waste water system
Planning of fresh water and waste water system
Water law authorisation
procedure
Exhaust air purification system
Operator obligations 42. BImSchV
Galvanising plant
Process optimisation
Planning and retrofitting electroplating plant
Authorisation procedure BImSchG
CE Declaration of Conformity
Cooling towers / cooling system
Operator obligations 42.BImSchV
Chemical storage
Planning hazardous goods and chemical storage
Planning AwSV - petrol station / delivery areas
Improve your quality.

IFO Institute for Surface Technology GmbH

Testing - Certification - Laboratory - Expertise

QUBUS Planung und Beratung Oberflächentechnik GmbH

Planning - Consultancy - Approval - Fire protection

News: News from our company

IFO Academy: Further and advanced training for specialists.

References: Customers from over 75 countries.

Locations: Our experts worldwide.

Germany

Schwäbisch Gmünd

Netherlands

China

Hangzhou

Middle East

Dubai

Poland

© 2026 IFO Institut füt Oberflächentechnik GmbH

IFO Institute for Surface Technology GmbH

Germany (Schwäbisch Gmünd)

IFO Institute for Surface Technology GmbH

Netherlands

IFO Inspection and Testing B.V.

China (Hangzhou)

Hangzhou IFO Quality Testing Co. Ltd.

Middle East (Dubai)

IFO Laboratories LLC
© 2026 IFO Institut füt Oberflächentechnik GmbH
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