FARBE UND LACK

What FARBE UND LACK does

FARBE UND LACK is the leading German-language B2B trade media brand covering the paints and coatings industry, operated since 1899 by Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG, a privately held German limited partnership headquartered in Hannover. The brand serves laboratory, production, and management professionals across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) through a multi-product portfolio: an 11x/year flagship journal, a twice-weekly free newsletter, a ~1,500-company buyers' guide (Einkaufsführer), an online knowledge database (FARBE UND LACK // 360°), a premium subscription tier (FL PLUS), Akademie seminars and conferences, webinars, technical whitepapers, and an extensive library of technical books on formulation, raw materials, resins, additives, and testing.

The company's underlying technology is a digital media platform combining a content management and e-commerce stack with the KI-Recherche AI research tool layered over the 360° knowledge database for text-based industry search. Monetization is diversified across subscription revenue (journal, FL PLUS, 360°), advertising (print, online, newsletter, advertorials, whitepapers/lead generation), one-time book sales (€109–€229 per title), event sponsorship and registration, and e-commerce. Distribution runs through the proprietary web shop, postal print delivery, self-serve digital access, and on-site event presence, with sales supported by key account managers and an event team.

The business holds formal "official organ" status with three major industry associations — VILF (German), GDCh Fachgruppe Lackchemie (chemistry), and SVLFC (Swiss) — and serves as media partner for the European Coatings Show 2027. The disclosed brand team is 9 employees, indicating that the FARBE UND LACK brand operates as a focused editorial/product unit within the larger Vincentz Network publishing group.

Name

FARBE UND LACK

Legal name

Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://farbeundlack.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FARBE UND LACK is a 125+ year German-language B2B trade media brand for the paints and coatings industry, publishing a monthly journal, buyers' guide, newsletter, online knowledge database, technical books, and Akademie training events for DACH coatings professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hannover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Subscription Revenue: Recurring revenue from journal subscriptions (FARBE UND LACK magazine - 11 issues annually) and digital access subscriptions including e-journals and online database access.
2. Book and Publication Sales: One-time sales of specialized technical books on coating technology, raw materials, testing methods, and related topics. Prices range from 109€ to 229€ per book.
3. Advertising and Media Services: Revenue from print advertising in the journal, online advertising on the website, newsletter advertising, content marketing (advertorials, interviews), stand-alone newsletters, and lead generation services including whitepapers and dossiers.
4. Event Sponsoring and Registration: Revenue from conference sponsorship packages, seminar registrations, webinars, and in-house training programs for coatings industry professionals.
5. Event Organization: Organization of educational events including the Akademie (Lackkunde für Kaufleute, Coloristik, Lacktechnologie modules), conferences, and professional training seminars.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FARBE UND LACK is a German-language specialist trade media brand for the paint, coatings, printing ink, and related chemical industries, published by Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG. It provides an 11-issue-per-year professional journal, the FARBE UND LACK // 360° online knowledge platform, an AI-supported research tool (KI-Recherche), an industry buyers' guide (Einkaufsführer), the FARBE UND LACK Akademie training programme, and a portfolio of conferences, webinars, and technical publications aimed at coatings professionals.

Product overview

FARBE UND LACK is the leading German-language media brand for the paint and coatings industry, offering a multi-platform portfolio comprising: the core FARBE UND LACK journal (11 issues annually), the FARBE UND LACK // Einkaufsführer buyers' guide, a twice-weekly newsletter, the FARBE UND LACK // 360° online knowledge database with AI-powered research (KI-Recherche), the Akademie training division with seminars and conferences, webinars, and whitepapers. The company publishes an extensive library of technical books covering paint formulation, raw materials, testing methods, functional coatings, and specialized coating technologies. The portfolio serves professionals in laboratory, production, and management across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with events including the European Coatings Show 2027.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FARBE UND LACK // 360°: Online knowledge database providing comprehensive information about coatings technology
• FARBE UND LACK // Einkaufsführer
• FARBE UND LACK // Akademie
• FL PLUS
• FARBE UND LACK // Newsletter

Products and services

• FARBE UND LACK Print Journal German-language professional trade journal covering the paint, coatings, printing ink, and adhesives industries, published 11 times per year for industry professionals, formulators, R&D chemists, and decision-makers in coatings manufacturing.
• FARBE UND LACK // 360° Online Knowledge Platform Online knowledge database and content portal extending the FARBE UND LACK brand digitally, providing searchable technical articles, industry intelligence, and digital access for paint and coatings professionals.
• KI-Recherche (AI Research Tool) AI-powered research and search tool embedded in the FARBE UND LACK // 360° platform, enabling users to query the brand's industry knowledge base using AI-assisted natural language search.
• Einkaufsführer (Buyers' Guide) Industry buyers' guide for the paint and coatings sector, listing suppliers, raw materials, equipment, and services to support purchasing and sourcing decisions for coatings manufacturers and formulators.
• FARBE UND LACK Akademie Continuing-education and training programme (Akademie) offering seminars, courses, and professional development for paint and coatings industry practitioners.
• Conferences and Webinars Industry conferences and webinars organized under the FARBE UND LACK brand, providing live and virtual forums for knowledge exchange, networking, and supplier engagement across the coatings value chain.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• VILF (Verband der Lack- und Druckfarbenindustrie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFARBE UND LACK serves as the official 'Organ' (official publication) of VILF, the German Association of Paint and Printing Ink Industry. This formal relationship positions the publication as the authoritative voice for the industry association.
• GDCh Fachgruppe Lackchemie (German Chemical Society - Coatings Chemistry Division)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFARBE UND LACK is the official publication organ of the GDCh Fachgruppe Lackchemie (formerly known by its previous name before rebranding). The magazine provides coverage of the Fachgruppe's activities and serves as a platform for the chemistry division.
• SVLFC (Schweizerischer Verband der Lack- und Farbenindustrie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFARBE UND LACK is the official organ of SVLFC, the Swiss Association of Paint and Printing Ink Industry, extending the publication's official status across the DACH region.
• European Coatings Show (ECS)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerFARBE UND LACK serves as a media partner for the European Coatings Show, the premier trade fair for the coatings industry. The publication covers the event and provides on-site presence for the 2027 edition in Nuremberg.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chemie.de: Leading German-language B2B online portal for the chemical industry providing news, technical content, and a supplier directory. Directly comparable as a German-language chemistry industry media platform serving similar professional audiences.
• Chemie Technik: German-language B2B trade publication for the chemical engineering and process industry sector. Comparable in serving German-speaking chemical industry professionals with technical content and industry news.
• Laborpraxis: German-language B2B trade publication for laboratory technology and analytical instrumentation, serving chemist and laboratory professional audiences. Comparable in German-language B2B trade media format and technical audience.
• Adhesives & Sealants Industry: B2B trade publication for the adhesives and sealants industry, with overlapping topics (formulation, raw materials, testing) and a similar audience of industrial chemists and manufacturers. Highly comparable format and reader base to FARBE UND LACK.
• Coatings World: International B2B trade publication for the coatings industry offering news, technical content, and a buyers' guide. Directly competes with FARBE UND LACK in serving coatings industry professionals, with similar geographic scope and content offerings.
• Industrial Paint & Powder: B2B trade publication focused on industrial coatings, paint manufacturing, and powder coating technologies. Comparable in audience (coatings manufacturers, formulators) and content depth on technical coatings topics.
• PCI Magazine (Paint & Coatings Industry): US-based B2B trade publication covering the paints and coatings industry with comparable multi-channel content, technical articles, and industry news. Directly comparable in target audience of coatings professionals and editorial scope.

Broad incumbents

• Chemical Week: Established global B2B media brand for the chemical industry, providing news, analysis, and market intelligence. Overlaps with FARBE UND LACK in coverage of chemical industry developments but operates at a broader portfolio level beyond coatings.
• S&P Global Commodity Insights: Global commodity intelligence provider covering chemicals, petrochemicals, and related industrial sectors. Overlaps with FARBE UND LACK in serving chemicals industry decision-makers with broader analytics and data products.
• ICIS Chemical Business: Global chemicals and petrochemicals intelligence platform providing pricing, news, and market analysis. Adjacent competitor serving overlapping chemical industry professionals with broader scope than FARBE UND LACK's coatings specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/farbe-und-lack

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FARBE UND LACK