Metal coil vacuum coating technology is an efficient method to apply a thin film coating onto metal coils with high throughput and uniformity. AGC's continuous air-to-air coil coating tool enables the production of high-quality, functional coatings on a range of metal substrates, including copper, aluminum, steel, and zinc-coated steel. Unlike traditional wet painting methods, the environmentally sustainable sputtering process eliminates waste, saves energy, and requires no hazardous chemicals . The continuous process offers flexibility for customized large area coating solutions for high-volume industrial applications, such as solar thermal collectors, reflectors, and bipolar plate coatings for electrolyzers and fuel cells.

Solar thermal collectors use solar energy to heat a fluid or air, which is subsequently used to generate steam for electricity generation. High-efficiency thermal solar collectors often use spectrally-selective coatings to maximize the amount of solar energy they absorb, while minimizing the amount of heat they emit. Such coatings are typically made of metal or metal oxide films that are deposited onto the surface of the collector using techniques like magnetron sputtering. Aluminum and copper are both commonly used as substrates for these coatings because they are good conductors of heat and are relatively inexpensive. By applying a spectrally-selective coating to the surface of the metal, it is possible to achieve high solar absorptance (i.e., absorb more sunlight) while also reducing heat loss through thermal radiation (i.e., emit less heat). Solar absorptance of 95% and a thermal emissivity below 5% are typical performance targets for such coatings.

Reflectors are used in a wide variety of applications like lighting and horticulture. Such applications require high reflection for a well-defined range in the solar spectrum, while ensuring satisfactory coating integrity, durability, and U.V. resistance for a long lifetime of the reflector.