Fakuma 2021: KURZ presents innovative and sustainable surface solutions for plastics

Fürth/Germany, August 19, 2021: The 27th Fakuma trade fair - scheduled from October 12-16, 2021 - will once again turn Friedrichshafen into the industry meeting point for industrial plastics processing. LEONHARD KURZ will be at the trade fair as usual. At Stand A4-4122 in Hall A4, the thin-film specialist will present pioneering concepts from the areas of automotive interiors/exteriors, consumer electronics, and home appliances.

Experience production-ready customization live

The customization of a decorated component using UV digital printing will be demonstrated live on site. To this end, the innovative surface decoration KURZ IMD UNIFY is used - a production-ready solution that enables efficient subsequent customization with high durability. “Our visitors will experience live how KURZ IMD UNIFY can be used to design surfaces that can be individually adapted to customer specifications and impress with modern designs,” emphasizes Nikolas Wagner, Head of Business Area Decoration at KURZ.

Automotive interior: Designing the future

KURZ is considered an expert in automotive interior design and will be presenting complete solutions from the HMI (Human Machine Interface) field at Fakuma. Visitors will learn how to create highly complex controls using In-Mold Decoration and functional In-Mold Labeling. Various concept components, including award-winning ones, serve as further illustrative examples. “When we think about the car of tomorrow, we have certain ideas - such as smooth, seamless surfaces, discreet ambient lighting, or smart-touch operation instead of mechanical buttons,” explains Rainer Süßmann, Global Head of Sales Management Automotive at LEONHARD KURZ. “We are looking forward to attending Fakuma to present our solutions that will enable the designs of the future to be realized.”

E-mobility and autonomous driving

In terms of exterior design, electric cars pose new challenges for manufacturers. “While the primary purpose of a radiator grille was to enable cooling of the engine in the past, it will play an increasingly important role in the future as an element with recognition value,” says Rainer Süßmann, giving an example. “The design of the component is therefore a priority. At the same time, autonomous driving is on the rise, making certain features such as radar technology support indispensable.” Thanks to innovative production and coating processes, components can be tailored specifically to these requirements. KURZ will be presenting one of its solutions - indium as a promising metallization option - at Fakuma.

Sustainability and antibacterial surface finish

“If we had to sum up 2021 in two terms, it would be climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. These topics will accompany us for some time yet and will also determine trends in the automotive industry as well as in the areas of consumer electronics and home appliances,” explains Nikolas Wagner. “As a result, environmentally friendly solutions are required alongside options for antibacterial surface design.” At Fakuma, KURZ will focus on its sustainability expertise and illustrate it by showcasing RECOPOUND^® - a high-quality, injection-moldable, recycled granulate. Visitors can also familiarize themselves with IMD BIOFENSE^®, the new concept for long-lasting antibacterial surfaces.

Online presence leading up to Fakuma

LEONHARD KURZ is also using its trade fair presence in Friedrichshafen to kick off a comprehensive online presentation of the company’s innovations and exhibition highlights. From the beginning of October, the website will provide detailed information as well as videos and interactive 3D animations about the products and highlights of the KURZ themes.

At a glance

Fakuma 2021 - October 12-16, 2021

LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Hall A4, Stand A4-4122

Product group: Machines and equipment for finishing, decorating, printing, and marking

Trade fair presentation focuses on: Automotive interior/exterior, consumer electronics, home appliances, sustainability