FAKUMA 2023: KURZ and DECKERFORM to demonstrate options for the use and decoration of recycled plastics

Fürth/Germany, September 28, 2023: The plastics processing industry is looking forward to the 28th FAKUMA trade fair, which will take place from October 17 to 21 in Friedrichshafen. The international specialist event is considered the world's leading trade fair for injection molding and, in addition to the main themes of extrusion technology, thermoforming, and 3D printing, is also increasingly focusing on technologies and processes related to the circular economy. After all, as indispensable as plastic has become in all areas of life, the challenges in terms of resource consumption and recycling of the material are just as great.

The industry is also tasked with cutting its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making processes more efficient, and accelerating the reuse of plastics. As a sustainability pioneer in the industry, LEONHARD KURZ has been committed to the responsible use of resources for decades. “In the search for solutions for greater energy and resource efficiency, the circular economy is gaining significance across numerous industries. It is particularly plastics that, with their unique properties and wide range of uses, can make a significant contribution to this,” explains Rainer Süßmann, Executive Senior Vice President of the Business Area Plastic Decoration at LEONHARD KURZ.

Lightweight door strip drives e-mobility

At the stand of our partner, the DECKERFORM group of companies (Hall A6, Stand 6413 & 6320), both companies will jointly present various possible uses and decorations for recycled plastics. For example, visitors can experience the live production and finishing of a door trim strip made from post-industrial recycled materials from the Nuremberg-based company Sysplast. A special manufacturing process is used here, namely thermoplastic spray foaming. This process guarantees high stability of the component and at the same time uses less material than conventional injection molding. Another plus is that due to the foaming, the weight of the door strip can be reduced by approximately 10 to 15 percent. This is an important factor, especially in the field of e-mobility.

The eye-catching wave look of the door strip is created solely by using the tool from KURZ. This allows components to be visually enhanced during production. The door strip is finished with an indium metallization in the energy-efficient IMD process (IMD indium transfer system). Indium is an environmentally friendly alternative to electroplating with many advantages. It is perfectly suited for the integration of touch functions, since the material used in this application is non-shielding due to its special preparation. Therefore, the use of IMD and indium significantly reduces CO₂ emissions during the manufacturing process, which will be clearly demonstrated at the DECKERFORM partner stand.

Handy household helper made from recycled material

KURZ and DECKERFORM are also presenting a clothes peg made entirely from the post-industrial recycled material RECOPOUND^®. KURZ is the first company in the industry to produce a high-quality PET-based recycling compound from production residues from the graphics industry. With its optimized mechanical and visual properties, RECOPOUND^® is suitable for the production of robust injection-molded components that can be decorated. In contrast to standard wooden pegs, this clothes peg consists of a single component and perfectly demonstrates the advantages of RECOPOUND^®: The recycled material is stable, resilient, and - as a versatile raw material - very well suited for a wide range of applications.

At FAKUMA 2023, the peg will be finished live at the DECKERFORM stand using a manual hot-stamping machine from the KURZ subsidiary BAIER and given to interested visitors as a handy giveaway. In addition, KURZ will be showcasing other exhibits that are also made of RECOPOUND^® - including, for example, a watering can, a flowerpot, and a stable transport and storage box.

Interested parties can find more information about KURZ’s trade fair presentation and solutions on the FAKUMA website.

At a glance

FAKUMA 2023 from October 17 to 21 in Friedrichshafen
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Hall A4, Stand 4111
Our trade fair presentation focuses on Automotive, Home Appliances, Sustainability
DECKERFORM Group stand: Hall A6, Stand 6413 & 6320