Sergio Domínguez, Technical Director at Canagrosa, and Bárbara García, Head of R&D Coordination, took part in one of the leading events focused on surface treatments and special processes for the aerospace industry, held in Biarritz
SURFAIR 2026 brought together professionals and companies involved in surface treatments and special processes for the aerospace industry in Biarritz from 22 to 24 September. The event was particularly aligned with key areas of Canagrosa’s activity.
Sergio Domínguez, Canagrosa’s Technical Director, and Bárbara García, Head of R&D Coordination, represented the company at the event, engaging directly with manufacturers, suppliers, applicators and other players across the aerospace supply chain.
“The overall assessment is very positive. In addition to strengthening existing relationships, our participation has allowed us to gain first-hand insight into technological developments in the sector, discuss technical needs and identify new opportunities for collaboration. For a company like Canagrosa, with strong expertise in testing, characterisation and technical support for special processes, SURFAIR is particularly well aligned with our activity,” explains Sergio Domínguez.
During the event, the team held discussions with OEMs, companies specialising in surface treatments and special processes, suppliers of chemicals and coatings, laboratories, technology centres and companies involved in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance.
Exchanges with professionals responsible for technical areas, materials and processes, quality, engineering, R&D and business development provided an opportunity to address requirements related both to already industrialised processes and to new technologies currently undergoing validation or development.
New treatments and validation challenges
Among the Canagrosa capabilities that attracted the most interest during SURFAIR were those related to the characterisation and validation of surface treatments, chemical processes and coatings used in aerospace applications.
Key areas included corrosion testing, surface characterisation, process control and coating validation, together with analyses associated with anodising, conversion treatments, passivation, paints and other special processes, as well as testing methodologies linked to specific aerospace requirements.
SURFAIR also provided first-hand insight into developments in technologies such as Cr(VI)-free conversion treatments, new anodising systems, primers and corrosion-protection coatings, as well as solutions aimed at replacing traditional processes affected by REACH and other regulatory requirements.
The introduction of new processes also brings challenges related to their validation, industrial robustness and performance verification, areas in which corrosion and adhesion testing, surface characterisation and process control play a particularly important role.
New contacts and opportunities for collaboration
Canagrosa’s participation in SURFAIR also led to new contacts and discussions with the potential to develop into future collaborations, both in laboratory services and in innovation and development projects.
The event also helped strengthen relationships with companies already in contact with Canagrosa and identify new technical needs and potential areas for collaboration related to new treatments, process changes, validation requirements and the expansion of analytical capabilities.
SURFAIR also provided an opportunity to learn about R&D and industrialisation projects currently being developed by OEMs, chemical suppliers, applicators and technology centres.
For Canagrosa, this technical exchange helps the company anticipate future testing needs, identify new characterisation methodologies and keep its capabilities aligned with the technological and regulatory evolution of the aerospace sector.
