"AICHELIN Group holds its ground in a challenging environment in 2025 – strong growth expected for 2026

• Stable annual result despite volatile market environment
• NITREX integration on track – positioning as a full-service provider progressing
• International expansion: new locations in India and China
• Digitalization established as an independent business unit
• Brand relaunch in the first half of 2026

Mödling, Austria. The AICHELIN Group, a company of Berndorf AG and one of the world's leading providers of industrial heat treatment solutions, looks back on a challenging but strategically successful financial year 2025. In a still volatile market environment – particularly in Europe – the Group achieved a stable annual result and implemented key growth initiatives. Revenue amounted to EUR 180 million, remaining at the previous year's level (2024: EUR 182 million). For 2026, the Group expects a significant growth boost, primarily driven by the full consolidation of the NITREX acquisition.

Solid business performance in a differentiated market environment; Regional market development in 2025 showed a clearly differentiated picture. While Asia continued to develop very dynamically and North America recorded solid growth, Europe fell short of expectations. Continued investment restraint, structural uncertainties, and an overall subdued economic environment shaped the European business. The Group responded with a strong focus on efficiency and by strengthening local structures. "2025 was a year of clear strategic decisions. Despite headwinds in Europe, we were able to set important course directions for sustainable growth and consistently implement the strategy we presented a year ago," says Christian Grosspointner, CEO of the AICHELIN Group.

NITREX: Consistent integration, clear step forward; One of the most important strategic steps in the past year was the acquisition of NITREX, which was completed in the fall. NITREX brings deep technological expertise in nitriding and nitrocarburizing, as well as a global network of production and service locations. With subsidiaries such as GM Enterprises, a long-standing and renowned partner of the aerospace industry, the Group is successfully positioned across various industrial segments. Integration into the AICHELIN Group is progressing according to plan.

The realization of synergies – in the product portfolio, market presence, and customer support – will be a key focus in 2026. The goal is to position the AICHELIN Group as a full-service provider in industrial heat treatment, serving customers worldwide with one of the most comprehensive technology portfolios in the industry – from large-scale industrial furnaces to highly precise vacuum and nitriding systems.

International expansion: Focus on India and China; A key pillar of the growth strategy is the consistent expansion of the international presence following the principle "think global, act local."

In India, the AICHELIN Group opened a new office in Pune on April 1, 2026. In addition, another site with production and office space is currently under construction, with commissioning planned for the second half of 2026. India is one of the most dynamic growth markets worldwide, and the Group is specifically strengthening its local presence there – with its own teams, technical expertise, and a strong on-site organization.

The AICHELIN Group has also expanded its activities in China: last year, the Group moved into its new headquarters in Future Science City in Beijing. With AICHELIN Metal Heat Treatment, Ma'anshan, a new production site was opened, and another new site for the production of NITREX systems in Wuxi is about to be launched. These expansion steps underline the strategy of serving customers locally with regional value creation, high technological expertise, and short response times.