Focus on sustainability: LEONHARD KURZ presents innovative machines, efficient processes, and recycling materials at FAKUMA 2023

Fürth/Germany, September 26, 2023: FAKUMA 2023, one of the world’s leading trade fairs for the plastics processing industry, is putting a clear focus on sustainability this year. From October 17 to 21, 2023, the focus in Friedrichshafen will be on progressive solutions that make a significant contribution to conserving resources and reducing the ecological footprint.

As a pioneer in the plastics processing industry, LEONHARD KURZ already offers series-ready solutions to lower energy consumption, reduce waste, and make the entire life cycle of products sustainable. FAKUMA 2023 offers the Fürth-based thin-film specialist the opportunity to present innovations that drive the sustainability goals of the industry - from recycling materials, through resource-efficient machines and production processes, to recyclable end products.

RECOPOUND^®: Waste becomes a new material

FAKUMA visitors have the opportunity to experience the latest developments in the field of sustainable plastics processing up close at the KURZ stand and at the stands of our partners ARBURG and DECKERFORM. There are also several products made from the post-industrial recycled material RECOPOUND^®. Rainer Süßmann, Executive Senior Vice President of Business Area Plastic Decoration, explains: “KURZ is continuously increasing the proportion of recycled and bio-based materials and has set itself the goal of maintaining the recyclability of end products and components and constantly optimizing its own decoration processes and solutions.” Various exhibits will be on display at FAKUMA 2023 - including clothes pegs made from RECOPOUND^® and finished with hot stamping (DECKERFORM), add-on parts for a tool case (ARBURG), a window box developed together with the Munich-based start-up Greenling, and other sample parts made from RECOPOUND^®.

Efficient machines, sustainable processes

A joint project will be presented at the DECKERFORM stand. Here, a door strip for the automotive sector will be shown, which is produced using resource-saving spray foaming and consists of a high-quality PC/ABS (PIR) compound from the Nuremberg-based company Sysplast. It is refined with an indium metallization in the energy-efficient IMD process (IMD indium transfer system). The big advantage of the spray foaming process used is that less material is required and the finished component is therefore light in weight but still very strong.

KURZ will also be demonstrating its hot stamping PERFORMANCE+ innovation at FAKUMA 2023. This is a patent-pending, optimized, energy-saving further development of 3D hot-stamping technology. On a GEBA machine from the KURZ subsidiary BAIER, innovative aerodynamic wheel rim inserts will be given a wafer-thin decorative layer in an elegant real chrome look, live at the stand. The big advantage is that this product is REACH-compliant in manufacture and processing and does not contain any chromium VI, which brings with it significant added value in terms of sustainability. With the optimized hot stamping process, which is now even more suitable for the finishing of 3D-shaped components, vacuum deployment means that - unlike previously with hot stamping - the transfer carrier no longer needs to be pre-heated. This in turn saves energy and reduces CO₂ emissions.

Using several exhibits for the automotive sector, KURZ will also be demonstrating the many advantages of metallization with indium. In addition to unlimited design freedom, indium has the advantage that the coating is 5G-compatible and ideal for touch operation, Shy Tech designs, and backlighting. Surface decoration with indium is an environmentally friendly alternative to electroplating, with which patterns and colors can be implemented as well as glossy, matte, semi-matte, and brushed surfaces. In addition, indium can be used over the entire surface or only in parts of a component. An efficient IMD series process is used, which is suitable for different types of plastic including recycled materials and significantly reduces CO₂ consumption in production. Indium is REACH-compliant, and thanks to the thin-film technology the components metallized with it can be easily recycled.

Sustainable decorations for more brand loyalty

“Our innovative and ecologically compatible decoration solutions as well as desirable designs create real competitive advantages. We increase sustainability along the value chain through holistic solutions over the entire life cycle of the products,” explains Rainer Süssmann and adds: “Our production sites in Europe, America, and Asia ensure short delivery routes and thus achieve a reduction in transport-related emissions and a reliable delivery situation. With us, sales arguments are created through our focus on sustainability right from the conception of the design solutions.”

As a reliable partner, KURZ has well-founded expertise in the fields of decoration, functionality, technology, as well as process and tool technology. This knowledge is used to continuously develop innovative products and processes in a sustainable manner. This includes, on the one hand, the increased use of recycled materials and, on the other hand, the reduction of the carrier thickness and coating layers. For some decors, KURZ already uses materials that are more than 50 percent derived from renewable resources. In addition, the Fürth-based specialist for high-quality surface finishes ensures that the use of solvents is reduced and that they are switched to water-based or bio-based variants. KURZ has been a member of the UN Global Compact Network since 2021 and has thus committed itself to transparency in matters of ecological, economic, and social sustainability.

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
ARBURG partner stand: Hall A3, Stand 3101
DECKERFORM partner stand: Hall A6, Stand 6413 & 6320