Deutsches Industrielack-Museum

Description

Within Dortmund’s cultural offerings, the Deutsches Industrielack-Museum, a privately run institution, occupies a specialized role: it documents the history, technical development and practical application of industrial coatings.

The museum in Dortmund houses a collection that has been continuously expanded since its founding in 2008. The starting point was a private collection; a support association founded in 2009 and the subsequent recognition as a non-profit institution quickly strengthened its backing. The museum is further supported by contributions from the German coatings industry, for example in the form of objects and specialist literature.

The permanent exhibition is arranged across four display rooms and the entrance area. Among other things, it presents business records of the coatings industry — invoices and orders dating back to the 19th century. The visit begins in the laboratory room, where the distillation of solvents can be demonstrated; it also contains an original laboratory bench from a decommissioned paint factory in the Sauerland. Another room is devoted to production and the coating process; exhibits include mills from various decades, dissolvers and dispersers. The tour concludes in a hall that addresses the different functions and areas of application of coatings.

In addition, the museum maintains a specialist library with company publications, reference works, tabular reference books, and a periodicals archive for in-depth research.