News about Sonplas & Sturm Surface Technology

Hydrogen presents unique challenges for test systems. Test environments must be highly reliable and flexible while accurately replicating real-world conditions.

Sonplas expands the HERO process with HERO Precision Jet to include the machining of external surfaces and edges.

At the Sonplas Technology Day “Alternative Fuels,” the focus was on current developments in sustainable propulsion technologies and the exchange between research and industry.

The company’s location, expertise, and jobs in the region are to be preserved.

Sonplas delivers safe and flexible testing solutions for modern propulsion technologies.

State Minister and Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery Dr. Florian Herrmann visited the Sonplas GmbH and Cuonics GmbH.

Sonplas continues to focus on gasoline and diesel fuels with its assembly and testing systems.

Sonplas GmbH intensity’s its collaboration with CUONICS GmbH from Straubing. The partnership focuses specifically on joint projects in the aerospace and defense industries, combining the strengths of both companies to deliver tailored solutions for customers.

Recently, Axel Paschke and Werner Riederer from Sonplas GmbH travelled to China to visit several Sonplas customers together with our long-standing partner Lu Yuan.

Last Thursday, Sonplas GmbH greeted the parents of our new apprentices for an informative and engaging evening.

After recently being honored as one of the “Top Companies of Lower Bavaria”, Sonplas GmbH was delighted to receive yet another distinction: In October, Sonplas was recognized – together with 14 other companies – as one of the “Best Employers in Lower Bavaria” at monastery Metten.

On October 20, 2025, Sonplas GmbH welcomed 28 students from the technical branch of FOS Straubing.

At the beginning of September, all apprentices from Sonplas GmbH set off for a two-day trip to the Youth Education Center in Waldmünchen. The goal of the trip was to strengthen team spirit and get to know each other better.

We are proud to announce that Sonplas has once again been honored as a TOP Company of Lower Bavaria. Following our previous award in 2022 and the Straubing Company Award in 2024, this new recognition marks another milestone in our company’s history.

For the first time, Sonplas GmbH has prepared a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions inventory for 2024 in accordance with the internationally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). The assessment covers both direct emissions from heating systems and company vehicles, as well as indirect emissions from purchased electricity and energy. However, the largest share comes from upstream and downstream emissions along our value chain.

Sonplas brings extensive expertise to the testing of fuel-carrying components for the aviation industry.

In August, we were pleased to welcome nearly 20 participants from a variety of industries to Sonplas GmbH. What united them all was the shared goal of contributing to Germany’s security and defense industry.

The Bavarian special-purpose machine manufacturer Sonplas is expanding its international presence with the establishment of Sonplas USA Inc. in Chicago, Illinois.

On June 30, 2025, Sonplas GmbH said goodbye to its co-founder and associate, Christian Ludwig, as he entered his well-deserved retirement after more than thirty years of dedication.

Sonplas GmbH and the Scientific-Technical Center (WTZ) Roßlau have entered into a partnership to significantly accelerate the market launch of new technologies.

Sonplas: Laser cutting as a cost-effective alternative to punching.

Sonplas: Test rack accelerates the design of test systems for power electronics.

Sonplas offers an efficient solution with its “HydroEROsive” processing for medical components.

As part of its Christmas campaign, Sonplas GmbH has once again decided to refrain from sending Christmas greeting cards to its business partners and instead support one international and one regional charitable organization.

Yesterday, Sonplas GmbH had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation of 12 participants from the Netherlands as part of the multi-day trip organized by the RAI Automotive Industry NL Cluster organization.

Once again this year, Sonplas was delighted to welcome students from FOS Straubing to our company. The students received a warm welcome from Bettina Liegl, who then guided them through the company together with Daniela Cizek.

Last Wednesday, representatives from schools and companies in the Straubing-Bogen district visited Sonplas as part of the Schulewirtschaft (school economy) networking event.

Last Monday, the political party Straubing “Freie Wähler” visited Sonplas GmbH for a tour of the company, during which the two managing directors, Michael Frankl and Christian Wachtmeister, gave them a comprehensive insight into the company and its current projects.

Last week, Sonplas GmbH welcomed young students from all over Bavaria as part of the “Technology Meets Environment” Camp.

In 2024, we once again held our traditional information evening for the parents of our new apprentices.

Sonplas GmbH recently welcomed a group of students from the “Hydrogen Technology and Economics” program at the Technical University of Ingolstadt, led by Prof. Dr. Ertan Akgün, to Sonplas.

For fuel technology, Sonplas produces both assembly systems and test benches for components that interact with fuels.

Sonplas GmbH has been awarded the 2024 Business Award in the category “Companies with 100 or more employees.”

Congratulations! As an apprentice at Sonplas GmbH, Johannes Müller not only achieved excellent grades at vocational school, for which he received an award, but will also be honored by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for his outstanding performance in his final examinations.

Last Saturday, we had the pleasure of welcoming technology-enthusiastic young people to Sonplas GmbH. As part of the “CodingWerkstatt” workshop, participants gained exciting insights into the world of software development.

At the beginning of September, Sonplas GmbH welcomed Alena Gründl and Christian Geiger from the Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb) at the Technical University of Munich to our premises in Straubing.

Alois Rainer, Member of the German Bundestag, visited Sonplas in Straubing to discuss current challenges in mechanical engineering and the future of e-mobility.

Recently, the first-ever Sonplas Partner Days took place. During this multi-day event, 12 of our partners from around the globe had the opportunity to get to know Sonplas GmbH better.

Sonplas GmbH awarded the “Strategic Partner” Award by the Stäubli-Group.

Servicepartner from Mexico visits Sonplas GmbH.

Sonplas GmbH at the Hydrogen Technology Conference & Expo.

Sonplas GmbH and TUM Straubing have worked together on the project “The path to climate neutrality”

Sonplas GmbH relies on more than 25 years of professional skills and competence in automotive fuel injection and offers comprehensive consulting and services to customers.

On July 28, Sonplas bid farewell to their shareholder and managing director Herbert Frankl.

Sonplas celebrates 30th anniversary.

The Berlin-based technology company IAV has transferred Sonplas GmbH the distribution rights for IAV Cross.

Since January 1, 2023, Michael Frankl and Christian Wachtmeister are representing the interests of the company alongside the previous Managing Director Herbert Frankl.

Sonplas GmbH received the award for “TOP Company in Lower Bavaria”.

representatives from Cluster Mobility & Logistics visited Sonplas GmbH.

The innovation project of Sonplas GmbH, the in-house hydrogen test center, is completed and ready for use.

Sonplas GmbH offers three different applications using the process of hydroerosive machining.

Sonplas GmbH has developed an inspection module for checking cut edges in the innovative laser notching process.

Sonplas GmbH extended their portfolio in fuel injection and provides a separate test bench for customers.

Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger visited Sonplas during the automatica trade fair.

AI allows to predict the course of a pressure drop test and also the end of the curve without having to perform the whole measurement.

Sonplas GmbH supports its customers not only in the production of finished assembly and testing systems, but also in the development or prototype production phase.

Sonplas GmbH is certified according to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001.

Virtual commissioning. Sonplas relies on sequence simulations in an early project phase.

Sonplas, an established supplier of high-quality assembly and testing technology for the automotive industry, has joined the Hydrogen Alliance of Bavaria.

Sonplas GmbH celebrates 25th anniversary.

At the beginning of the year, Sonplas Gmbh began with the construction of a new production hall to expand the assembly and office space and meet market demands.