Cologne-Niehl

New construction of a pre-treatment electrocoating plant at the Ford plant in Cologne-Niehl

At the Cologne-Niehl site, the PTEC (Pre-Treatment Electro Coating) building was completed, marking a key milestone in the transition to electric mobility. In the pre-treatment facility, the car bodies are degreased in immersion tanks and then coated with an initial, rust-protective primer based on electrocoating. After the drying process, the car bodies are transported via conveyor to the paint shop.

wpw handled the overall planning—from the preliminary feasibility study and site selection to the comprehensive planning of all technical disciplines. Working closely with Ford and the plant designer, a 28-meter-tall, two-story building was created that combines complex technological, fire safety, environmental, and logistical requirements within a confined space.

As a striking structure in the heart of the factory grounds, the PTEC building today stands as a visible symbol of the technological transformation at Ford—and of wpw’s high standards for industrial architecture, characterized by precision and clarity.