MICOR Anniversary: 50 Years of Innovation and Tradition
For half a century, MICOR has stood for customized infrared solutions in industrial applications. With deep technical expertise and strong customer focus, we support companies in achieving efficient heating and drying processes.
The Early Days: Research Meets Entrepreneurial Spirit (1960s–1970s)
The roots of MICOR go back to the research department of Messer Griesheim, a subsidiary of the former Hoechst AG. In the late 1960s, fundamental insights were gained there on beam paths, impact angles, and ideal distances for short-wave infrared radiation. These discoveries formed the foundation of the later MICOR* NIR infrared technology.
When Messer Griesheim decided not to pursue the technology further, application engineer Hans-Joachim Müller recognized its potential and acquired the rights. With the founding of MICOR GmbH, he realized his own vision: making infrared technology widely accessible to the industry and enabling the efficient irradiation of web-shaped materials from the very beginning.
From First Success to Expansion into New Industries (1980s–2000s)
The 1980s brought the first major milestones:
- First major project in the printing industry: A napkin printing machine was successfully equipped with a MICOR* NIR cassette.
- Breakthrough in coil coating: MICOR increased production speed from 2 m/min to a remarkable 20 m/min – a performance leap that even surprised the production engineers.
With increasing specialization, the company grew steadily and opened up new industrial sectors. A key factor in this development were the employees, who continuously contributed to the technological advancement.
MICOR receives Ex certification
A significant milestone was the approval for use in Ex zones in 2002, following intensive testing and engineering work. This opened the door to numerous new applications, especially in solvent-based printing processes. To this day, this expertise remains one of the company’s key unique selling points.
MICOR also helped shape the printing and coating industry: as an exhibitor, contributor, and partner at trade fairs such as ProFlex and ICE Europe in Munich.
Generational Shift & Modernization (since 2014)
After more than 35 successful years, the Müller family handed over the company to Heiko Wettengl in 2014. He modernized and strategically developed MICOR further. With the relocation from Idstein to Niedernhausen (2018) and the appointment of Svenja Wettengl as authorized signatory, the foundation for the next generation was laid — built on MICOR’s philosophy: Innovation with Tradition.
Under Heiko Wettengl’s leadership, MICOR has expanded internationally and now supplies customers across large parts of Europe as well as in Singapore, Kuwait, and South Africa.
MICOR on the Path to the Future
Today, MICOR is one of the leading providers of electrically powered short-wave infrared systems.
Key industries include printing, coating, and wood processing. MICOR is also actively involved in professional associations such as the DFTA and the GRA, and regularly appears at international trade fairs, including ICE, LIGNA, and IPI.
Short-wave infrared radiation is also growing in importance in areas such as printed electronics, battery manufacturing, and other rapidly developing industrial sectors.
The electrically powered technology offers strong advantages: energy efficiency, precise controllability, and reduced CO₂ emissions which is crucial in times of shifting market requirements and the move away from fossil fuels.
Innovation with Tradition – Driving Our Future
Research and development are now central pillars of the company’s strategy.
MICOR regularly collaborates with partners to develop new applications and test its technology in emerging processes, most recently in glass fiber production.
What remains unchanged are MICOR’s core principles: customer-specific systems, robust and low-maintenance technology, deep technical expertise, and a partnership-based approach. These values have shaped MICOR’s success and will continue to guide the company into the future.
The right wavelength: IR drying with *NIR technology
All our IR emitters work with shortwave infrared radiation that directly penetrates the product and generates heat from within, without any loss of energy. Our special MICOR *NIR technology is characterized by its ability to be switched on and off within seconds without any preheating or cooling times. All our IR emitters are based on this radiation technology.
Your message to us
Do you have any questions, need a quote or consultation? Leave us a short message. We will get back to you within 24 hours.