Altenrhein

The Altenrhein site is the largest of the BWB Group in Switzerland and offers a comprehensive range of services in the field of surface technology. In addition to anodising aluminium, this also includes passivation and wet paint applications.
The fully automated large parts line enables anodising, coloring and Permalux hard anodising of components up to 7500 mm in size, while the state-of-the-art small parts line produces technical coatings for industry.

Directions

BWB-Altenrhein AG

Werkplatz Altenrhein
Dorfstrasse 3
CH-9423 Altenrhein

+41 58 861 91 00 verkauf.ar.industrie@bwb-group.com verkauf.ar.architektur@bwb-group.com

Contact

News and references

Discover the latest posts and references. Here you will find a wide range of content and information about our current projects and services.

SurTec 650 für höchste Anforderungen der Luftfahrt

#News

SurTec 650 for the highest aviation requirements

BWB at the Altenrhein site has successfully had the SurTec 650 process requalified. This confirms the site's ability to treat aluminum components for aviation reliably and to the highest quality standards.

Aussenaufnahme einer in die Umgebung eingebetteten Villa in Zürich mit eloxierter Trapezblech-Fassade in BWB-Permagreen, die die Gliederung des Baukörpers betont und die hochwertige, langlebige Oberfläche von BWB Oberflächentechnik zeigt.

#Architecture

Himmelistrasse, 8700 Küsnacht

The iridescent aluminum façade in Permagreen 1 shows how material, light and surroundings merge into a calm, high-quality structure.

#News

New look, new tour – our Sprinter is on the road!

Freshly fitted out and in use since this summer: the new Mercedes Sprinter has joined our fleet in Altenrhein and is officially sporting the BWB look.

#Architecture

New appearance of the BWB-Altenrhein AG production hall

New anodization instead of replacement: renovating aluminium façades in a resource-saving way, saving CO₂ and gaining architectural precision - a best practice from Altenrhein.

#Architecture

Transformation SIA high-rise building

Transformation SIA high-rise building, Zurich - An elegant aluminium façade, anodized by BWB, has shaped the architectural expression of the main building since 2008.

#Architecture

Fribourg Cantonal and University Library

Library extension in Freiburg: wood and aluminum in the Permalux process characterize a clear, contemporary architecture.

#Anodising

Swissloop 2025 – “Marcel Hug” with anodized components from BWB

The latest Hyperloop capsule from the Swissloop team at ETH Zurich bears the name "Marcel Hug" - named after the multiple Paralympics winner, who is known for his speed and technical precision under the nickname "Silver Bullet".

#News

Change in industrial production management in Altenrhein

At BWB-Altenrhein AG, there is a change in production management for Industry: Benedikt Buck is handing over his responsibilities to Thomas Schnyder and Christian Schneider. Together, they will take over the management of the Industry division with immediate effect and continue its successful development.

Perfekte Lackierung für maximale Sicherheit – Luftfahrtbeschichtung im Fokus

#Aviation

Aviation coating for maximum safety

How can painting increase the service life of aircraft and contribute to safety at the same time? Now there is a rare insight into the painting of aviation components.

#Medical technology

Petrol anthracite painted plastic housing for cancer research

We manufacture excellent plastic components at our plant in Altenrhein: The highly complex parts of the 3D-printed plastic housing of this high-tech device are wet-painted in our BWB paint department.

Industrielackierer:in – Präzision, Kreativität und glänzende Perspektiven

#News

Industrial painter – precision, creativity and bright prospects

Jarno Künzler is at the end of his training as an industrial painter EFZ. Painting is an art for him: a perfect, even result simply gives him pleasure.

BWB presents Permagreen in Zurich

BWB presents the elegant Permagreen range at the architect@work trade fair in Zurich. The fair opens from May 7-8, 2025 will open its doors to interested architects.

202401_Leuchte conversio_ Illuminartis_Banner 3

#Design

CONVERSIO luminaire

The werk14 company is based in Emmental in the canton of Berne. Under the Illuminartis brand, high-quality designer luminaires for indoor use are manufactured here. One of these is the CONVERSIO luminaire, which was designed by atelier oï.

Towards sustainability with biodiesel and other measures

BWB-Altenrhein AG has taken significant steps towards sustainability by switching to biodiesel and using waste heat from production.

Single turboprop aircraft Pilatus PC-12 in hangar. S

#News

Successful ISO recertification and maintenance through SQS audit

BWB Surface Technology once again demonstrated its compliance with the highest quality standards during the SQS maintenance audit in December. Read more here

BWB LKW in neuer Hülle: Eloxiertes Aluminium auf Achse

#News

Truck in a new shell: Anodised aluminium on the road

We use the BWB-Altenrhein truck to collect raw aluminium components from our customers and return them anodised.

#Architecture

Thermoplan – unique

The façade of the new Thermoplan building "unique" made of recycled aluminum impresses with its timeless elegance. The Permalux process gives it a particularly resistant, durable coating that combines optimum protection and sustainability.

#Anodising

Anodized colors with maximum reproducibility

With its color palette for industrial design, BWB offers a standard selection of 27 anodized colors that are always available at the Grosshöchstetten site. In addition, three new colors in the spectrums titanium, blue and olive are now available at the Altenrhein site.

#Architecture

Company headquarters Werkhalle Merkle Metallbau AG

The new Merkle AG building impresses with a polygonal façade, whose dynamic play of light and timeless elegance are emphasized by the exclusive, resistant Permalux coating.

#News

Anodised gold medal for all

The showdown between the Architecture and Industry divisions of BWB-Altenrhein was decided last Friday: In the football match, the Architecture team won with a final score of 4 : 2.

#News

BWB presents Permalux in Munich

BWB is presenting the elegant Permalux range at the architect@work trade fair in Munich. Permalux stands for outstanding durability and aesthetic excellence and is used in a wide range of applications from façades to specialized industrial applications.

#Architecture

Boathouse door

An elegant combination of geometric design and natural stone, created from clear anodized aluminium, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also offers long-term protection.

#Architecture

Triangle apartment building

By using BWB Permagreen, the new replacement building on Aegerisaumweg in Zug blends seamlessly into the surrounding garden landscape.

#Architecture

ETH Zurich, HIF building

The renovation of the HIF building at ETH Zurich emphasizes the importance of renewing the façade. The new façade in the exclusive Permalux process impresses with its aesthetic harmony and sustainable protection.

#Design

VEIL aluminum table

BWB Surface Technology and the renowned design studio BUDDE present an exclusive multifunctional table made of anodized aluminum, which will be exhibited at the Milan Design Week 2024 in the Galleria Rossana Orlandi.

#Design

Symbiosis of sound and design

For over 35 years, the name PIEGA has stood for top-class loudspeakers that focus not only on sound, but also on the aesthetic experience. Now, through the innovative partnership with BWB Surface Technology as part of the "PIEGA COAX EXCELLENCE" program, this outstanding combination is being taken to a new level.

#Anodising

La Lune Rouge, Paris

Art in architecture can lend buildings and neighborhoods a cultural identity by creating a link to the past. This was also achieved by the Red Moon by Parisian architect Antoine Carel, which was installed this year at the Red Children's Market in Paris.

#Architecture

Commercial building Pilatusstrasse 38

The striking commercial building, which forms the gateway between Pilatusplatz and Hirschengraben, has been given a new look. The façade from 1972 was replaced by a timeless aluminum façade in the BWB color Permagrey 2.

Erfolgreiche Premiere der Eloxal-Akademie

#News

Successful premiere of the anodizing academy

The first Eloxal Academy brought customers and coaters together in a unique format. In a manageable setting, the participants experienced an intensive half-day on the anodizing of aluminium.

#Aviation

Process qualification SurTec 650

BWB offers the advanced SurTec 650 process for the aerospace industry at its Dresden, Stans-Oberdorf and Altenrhein sites. At the Altenrhein site, BWB has successfully had the process audited in accordance with the Applicator Qualification Process (AQP).

#News

Short circuit in the Permalux bath – possible delivery delays

On January 26, 2024, a short circuit occurred in the Permalux pool, which led to a small fire. The production capacities of the Permalux processes are temporarily impaired.

#News

Strengthening the management of BWB-Altenrhein AG

We are pleased to announce that Urs Scheuber, who has been responsible for quality management at the BWB Group for many years, will take over the technical management of BWB-Altenrhein AG on January 1, 2024.

#Architecture

SICPA – Unlimitrust Campus

The Unlimitrust Campus of Sicpa, a renowned manufacturer of printing inks for banknotes, covers an impressive 77,000 square meters and offers space for several thousand workstations.

#Design

Liteline – aluminum picket railing

Liteline is the Swiss design railing made of aluminum. With countless design options, precise design and durable construction, it meets architectural and economic requirements in modern residential construction.

#Architecture

Workshop Office Dorn AG

Dorn AG's workshop office showcases the company's craftsmanship on its own premises - with a Permalux anodized interior façade.

Photovoltaikanlage der BWB-Altenrhein AG

#News

1672 panels produce solar power for BWB-Altenrhein AG

On the two roofs of the production halls of BWB Surface Technology in Altenrhein, 1672 photovoltaic modules with a surface area of 3341 m2 were installed during five weeks this summer.

#Architecture

Cubo Nobile

In Küsnacht, on the Gold Coast of Lake Zurich, the Cubo Nobile rises with six unique apartments with the highest standard of finish. Meanwhile, an aluminum façade in the warm color Colinal 3115 ensures a harmonious floor division with timeless charm and high durability.

#Architecture

SRF Media Center

The façade of the SRF Media Center is characterized by a strict choice of materials: exposed concrete, glass and anodized aluminum.

#Design

Clean lines and elegant shades: desire kitchens made of aluminum

Whether for facades or interiors, anodized aluminum surfaces are versatile in architectural applications. Easy to clean and durable, the lightweight material is also excellent for high-end kitchens.

#News

BWB heats Altenrhein village center

BWB-Altenrhein cools its anodising plants with Lake Constance water. Now the heated lake water is used to heat the neighboring residential quarter.

#News

Salm facade worlds

The "Facade Worlds" exhibition offers your visitors a complete overview of a large selection of facade and roof systems. Take a look!

#Multicolor

Art intervention by Chris Hunter

Multi-colored anodized aluminum sheets connect the individual concrete steps in a linear pattern. The result is the overall image of a rainbow of flowing colors without clear boundaries.

#News

Infento kit anodised in BWB colors

The colorful kit of INFENTO anodized by BWB Surface Technology has been raffled. Follow more contests and the comments about them on LinkedIn.

#Multicolor

Cult SIGG drinking bottles individually anodised

Who does not know them? The aluminum drinking bottles from SIGG are known far beyond the Swiss border. Several generations associate the iconic utensil with experiences of today and the past.

#News

Fresh from the press architecture brochure

The new architecture brochure is here: the reduced design and expanded content, such as the Permagrey process, invite relaxed reading and inspiration.

#Aviation

Oversize hard anodizing

How do the coating properties of Permalux differ from those of commercially available hard anodized coatings? The BWB laboratory has investigated this question and subjected the surfaces of customer components to an endurance test.

#Architecture

Semidetached house Bonaduz

The municipality of Bonaduz is situated on a plateau above the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein rivers. The new double family house offers views of the spectacular alpine panorama that surrounds the valley floor.

esc_Fassade_HELIX_Drohnen_AB200601-N-153

#News

Inspiring Architecture

On Thursday, November 3, BWB Oberflächentechnik and five partners from the construction industry hosted the first inspiring circle. Two exciting presentations were dedicated to the topic of Virtual Reality or Real Virtuality?

tea-room-heidi-horten-collection-in-situ_3756

#Anodising

In Situ – Artistic Intervention

Austrian sculptor Hans Kupelwieser creates a ceiling relief of red anodized aluminum for the high-profile Heidi Horten Collection in Vienna.

#Architecture

Cantonal Hospital Winterthur

After ten years of planning and construction, the new building of Winterthur Cantonal Hospital was completed at the beginning of 2022. The new building will ensure the long-term provision of healthcare in the region.

#Architecture

Switzerland Innovation Park in Biel

The Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne, SIPBB for short, is just a few minutes' walk from Biel/Bienne train station in the direction of the lake. The strikingly dark façade in BWB-Colinal 3180 sets the building apart from the surrounding buildings.

#News

Fresh color selection: Color Collection 02

There are many facades. But only a few whose outer shells combine functional effectiveness with brilliant aesthetics.

#Architecture

Schoolhouse Acher Center

The aluminum façade in the timeless anodized shades Colinal and Permalux provides the wooden structure with lasting protection against the elements.

#Architecture

Foundry Tower Dübendorf

New residential and commercial space is being built directly at Giessenpark between Glattufer and Überlandstrasse. The bronze colored building is part of the project.

Poststrasse-Sued-Ostermundigen-16585_6194ca1cda261-web

#Architecture

Office building Poststrasse South

The bronze-colored façade elements take their cue from the former industrial site and the nearby railroad tracks.

#Mechanical engineering

Man and machine: A perfect symbiosis in anodising

At BWB-Altenrhein AG, technical coatings such as Heloxal or Harteloxal PTFE are produced automatically throughout. For applications with optical requirements, the manual skills of humans are used in a targeted manner.

#Design

HYDRO Chair in iridescent Sandalor turquoise

The HYDRO Chair is the result of a collaboration between British designer Tom Dixon and the Norwegian aluminum company Hydro.

#Architecture

Neumarkt Castle Bath

In addition to the two established processes Permalux and Permabronze, BWB has also been offering the innovative Permacolor process for a good two years.

#Architecture

Parish center Sursee

The new construction of the parish center is part of an urban redevelopment of the Vierherrenplatz in Sursee. The façade elements anodized in BWB Gold 1 meet aesthetic and functional requirements in equal measure.

#Mechanical engineering

Groundbreaking innovation in hard anodising

BWB Surface Technology launches HELOXAL, a high-performance coating for the most demanding technical requirements. The test values determined for the newly developed HELOXAL coating are impressive.

#Architecture

BäreTower Ostermundigen

The Zentrum Bären, in the immediate vicinity of Ostermundigen train station, aims at a spatially qualitative densification of the building structure combined with the creation of added value at the level of public space.

Fassadenreinigung_Ottiger_Ballwil_WEB_008

#News

Facade refurbishment at Ottiger Specialties

What lasts a long time is beautiful again. After three decades, Ottiger Spezialitäten AG in Ballwil, Lucerne, is refreshing its aluminium facade.

#Architecture

Campus Village Hertenstein, Weggis

The delicate, high-quality facade made of anodized aluminum in the color BWB-Colinal 3165 borrows its color from the wood structure of the old hamlet.

#Architecture

Geistlich area – residential development 24 mila baci

The façade is a play on the anodized colors Bausilber and Sandalor Blau from BWB Surface Technology.

#Architecture

Leisure pool Opfikon

Both functional and aesthetic aspects were taken into account in the selection of materials for the Opfikon leisure pool.

#Architecture

Replacement of Martinsheim Visp

With its cleverly used aluminum accents, the five-story replacement Martinsheim building appears elegant and lively in equal measure.

#Architecture

Quadrolith commercial building in Baar

Both the windows and the aluminum sheet cladding were anodized in the BWB color brass 1, which gives the building a noble shine. Depending on the position of the sun, the building appears in bronze, brass or gold.

#Architecture

Civic Hospital Solothurn

Exciting reading for the weekend - The hot off the press annual issue "Facades 2019" of Architektur + Technik is here! We are happy about the professional article presence for the next 12 months and wish interesting reading moments.

086_Metron_Spitalstrasse_Markus_Kaech_8397-web

#Architecture

Educational Center XUND Lucerne

The facade of the XUND Educational Center consists of 400 aluminum window elements with vertical aluminum louvers in front of the ventilation sashes. All aluminum parts were anodised colorless by BWB.

esc_Fassade_HELIX_Drohnen_AB200601-N-371-web

#Architecture

Commercial building Helix Cham

In addition to the horizontally clad ceiling made of colorless anodized aluminum, the outer shell is characterized by floor-to-ceiling windows with pilaster strips staggered floor by floor.

#Architecture

FHNW Campus in Muttenz

The aluminum elements of the FHNW campus in Muttenz are anodized in the BWB bronze color, giving the building a timeless and grounded appearance.

#Architecture

School Pfingstweid Zurich

The Pfingstweidschulhaus is double-thought in materialization and urban orientation.

#Architecture

Campus Suurstoffi

The 60-meter-high wood-concrete hybrid building on the Suurstoffi site in Rotkreuz is largely used by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

#Architecture

Apartment houses Goldern

The material and color scheme of the apartment buildings is based on the surroundings, with color-anodized aluminum parapets in Sandalor Olive Yellow S100-2 enclosing the light-colored wooden facade.

#Architecture

Headquarters Scott Sports SA

Steel and metal facade builder Sottas SA developed and designed the high-tech facade, and BWB subsequently anodized the components in the BWB-Colinal 3115 color.

#Architecture

Town House Kriens

The 6-story building appears uniformly tidy; the facade in a warm bronze tone nevertheless lively. Half of it will be used as an office wing for over a hundred employees and the other half as a residential building for 30 apartments.

#Architecture

Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen and Children’s Hospital

The new replacement building House 10 of the Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen (KSSG) is part of the generation building project "come together". The aluminum shell of the bronze-colored six-story building is anodized using the BWB-Colinal 3165 process.

#Architecture

Commercial building at Schiffbauplatz

The five-story office building with natural stone facade in light Ceppo di Gré is accented in secondary structures with polished Belgian bluestone.

WohnenRhodonia_BaselCH_JMarburg_A3_N1811_0235-web

#Architecture

Rhodonia residential development in Basel

The superstructure in BWB-Bausilber 1 impresses with optimally utilized living space, high living quality and low energy values.

MerianIselinKlinik_BaselCH_JMarburg_A3_N1811_1218-web

#Architecture

Merian Iselin Clinic Basel

The Merian Iselin Clinic was calculated with a sharp pencil by all suppliers. What does this mean for renovation and reconstruction?

#Architecture

Schoolhouse Grounds Muttenz

The new three-story primary school building with finely tuned materialization: the walls are made of exposed concrete, the windows are framed with anodized aluminum in a light colinal color.

#Architecture

Migros St. Gallen-Bruggen

Careful plumbing work enabled the implementation of the overarching color concept for window parapets, soffits and wall cladding in the anodized BWB bronze color.

#Architecture

Parish hall Unterengstringen

Architect Tilla Theus opted for color-anodized aluminum, a lightweight, durable and maintenance-free material, since punched wooden formwork, as used in the old hay barns, is not durable enough.

#Architecture

Eye Clinic Lucerne

Permalux integral colouring process meets the requirements of aesthetics and long-term value retention and weather protection.

#Architecture

Office building FAMBAU Bern

The FAMBAU cooperative is committed to providing attractive and affordable housing for families. When the office building was replaced, the needs of the employees were at the forefront.

#Architecture

The Diamond – University of Sheffield

The six-story building with a diamond-shaped facade of anodized aluminum was designed by Twelve Architects and appropriately christened "The Diamond" during its execution.

Besucherpavillon Eiffelturm Paris_BWB-Sandalor S140-2_HAG-02-2

#Architecture

Eiffel Tower Visitor Pavilion

BWB anodises the visitor pavilion on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. The special, lasting red coloration of the aluminum facade sheets was achieved by the three-stage Sandalor process.

Anton-Graff-Schulhaus,-Winterthur,-Permalux-P1-und-P2_RUG0943-web

#Architecture

Anton Graff House Winterthur

The Permalux-coated building envelope of the Anton Graff House has an elegant appearance, is extremely durable and highly resistant to corrosion.

#Architecture

School Vines in Arbon

Four different coloring processes characterize the facade of the Reben school building in Arbon.

#Architecture

Basel fair

Whether City Lounge or window to the sky, the atrium of Messe Basel has become a landmark in the city center. Its colorless anodized wave-shaped aluminum shell surrounds the entire building.

#Architecture

Leutschentower Zurich

Different processes and colors characterize the facade of the Leutschen Tower in Zurich. Anodizing protects aluminum against weathering for decades and makes it a visually outstanding material for facades and windows.

#Architecture

Romanshorn School of Speech and Language

Anodizing protects aluminum against weathering for decades and makes it a visually outstanding material for facades and windows.

#Architecture

Pathology in St. Gallen

The spectacular architecture of the building is enhanced by BWB staining techniques. In BWB dyeing processes, the dye is located in the pores of the anodizing layer.