Speed is critical in any industry. In finishing operations, line speed dictates process efficiency, and the amount of time required for curing largely dictates line speed. The faster the curing process, the greater the throughput and the higher the profits. A new technology based on near-infrared (NIR) thermal processing is improving the field of surface treatment by substantially reducing curing time. Applying technology that has grown out of the European Space Program’s research, the system provides almost instant curing of waterborne, solventborne and powder coatings.