Dürr has unveiled its new EcoSmartCure oven model along with Qflex technology, introducing an energy-flexible solution for automotive drying processes amid growing concerns around fluctuating energy prices, supply uncertainties and stricter carbon reduction targets. Traditionally, automotive paint shop ovens have been designed around a fixed heating method, limiting manufacturers to a single energy source throughout the system’s lifecycle.
Dürr’s latest innovation aims to change this approach by enabling complete separation of the oven structure from the heat source. The development allows automotive manufacturers to switch between energy sources such as natural gas, electricity and potentially hydrogen in the future without requiring structural modifications to the oven itself.
As part of the new strategy, Dürr is equipping its oven portfolio with centralized heating technology and will focus on two flexible systems moving forward — the EcoInCure and the newly introduced EcoSmartCure integrated with Qflex technology. The company stated that the heating circuit can operate using multiple energy sources, giving manufacturers greater operational flexibility and reducing long-term dependency on any single fuel type.
Dr Heiko Dieter, Product Manager at Dürr, said unpredictable energy markets and supply disruptions are forcing industries to rethink traditional production infrastructure. He noted that energy-flexible ovens offer manufacturers the ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, reduce operational risks and maintain production continuity even during sudden supply shortages.
At the core of the Qflex concept is a centralized heating module that generates and distributes heat to different oven zones through a dedicated heating circuit. The standalone module can operate using gas or electricity, and future transitions between energy sources can be carried out by modifying only the heating module while leaving the oven infrastructure unchanged. The system has also been designed to support advanced technologies such as electric high-temperature energy storage units for future energy management applications.
Dürr’s EcoInCure transverse oven, already deployed in more than 30 automotive paint shops globally, continues to cater to manufacturers seeking high levels of process stability, paint quality and efficient thermal performance. The newly introduced EcoSmartCure, based on a longitudinal operational concept, combines centralized heating with a stop-and-go drying principle in which vehicle bodies move through defined stationary phases.
According to the company, this process allows more precise temperature management by directing heat specifically to areas that require it instead of applying hot air across the entire body surface. The approach is expected to reduce thermal stress, particularly on thicker vehicle components such as EV battery sill structures, while improving paint consistency and finish quality.
Both EcoInCure and EcoSmartCure are designed as compact single-level systems that eliminate the need for additional power-unit floors, making them suitable for both new installations and modernization of existing paint shops. Their compact footprint also makes them attractive for brownfield projects focused on improving operational efficiency and lowering energy consumption.
Dürr confirmed that the EcoSmartCure system is currently undergoing industrial-scale testing, with two customer projects already underway. The company believes the strong early interest reflects growing demand within the automotive sector for flexible, energy-efficient and future-ready manufacturing technologies.
