Sustainability and the saving of resources are becoming increasingly important in the wake of climate change. As a global company, LEONHARD KURZ is aware of its responsibility and has therefore been consistently working on innovative processes and products with an improved ecobalance for many years. As part of this endeavor, the surface finishing expert from Fürth was the world’s first company in the plastics industry to introduce a PET take-back system called RECOSYS®. Customers can return the remnants of their transfer foils to KURZ, where they are recycled into a granulate by the name of RECOPOUND®. This can then be used to manufacture robust plastic components through injection molding.
Last year, KURZ and its partner Deckerform presented the possibilities of this new technology at the FAKUMA trade fair. This year, the two companies will be presenting the further development of the RECOPOUND® technology in an optimized process at the leading trade fair, K 2022. The world’s largest trade fair for industrial plastics processing will take place from October 19 to 26 in Düsseldorf.
Live production of a transport box with finishing
Throughout K 2022, visitors to the TOYO and DECKERFORM partner stand (Hall 13, B77) can experience the live production of a transport box made of RECOPOUND® material. The component is manufactured in a fully automatic process and then decorated with a metallized logo using a hot-stamping process on a machine from KURZ subsidiary BAIER. The demonstrated finishing process is more efficient and sustainable than conventional pad printing. It also creates significantly more design freedom - for example, through different colors and metallizations. “Together with DECKERFORM and TOYO, we will be demonstrating live at K 2022 that the use of recycled materials can be easily combined with effective decoration,” explains Johannes Romming, Project Manager Innovation & Sustainability at LEONHARD KURZ. “The visual properties of the recycled material are in no way inferior to those of new material. What’s more, RECOPOUND® is manufactured entirely in Germany. KURZ is at your side as a competent partner throughout the entire process.”
Increased efficiency, cost savings, and sustainable added value
KURZ has been working with DECKERFORM and TOYO, based in the Bavarian town of Aichach, since 2019 and relies on the SME’s in-depth expertise in the fields of injection molding and injection molding tools. “We are very pleased that RECOPOUND® has taken another big step forward thanks to our joint expertise,” emphasizes Anna Tschacha from Deckerform’s management team.
During the further development of the entire process, both the RECOPOUND® material and the technology were significantly optimized. Production is now much more stable, user-friendly, and has fewer fluctuations. In addition, production cycle times have been reduced by about half, resulting in higher process efficiency and lower manufacturing costs. The flowability of the material has been improved and the weight reduced. This results in lighter products with even thinner walls - with consistently robust material properties.
RECOPOUND® can be used in many industries - for example, for large toolboxes, technical components, or garden furniture. The entire range of KURZ plastic decorations is also available for enhancing the appearance of recycled products. Notably, the finishing has no negative impact on the recyclability of the component. RECOPOUND® and the associated RECOSYS® recycling system are just two building blocks in LEONHARD KURZ’s ‘Lifecycle Thinking’.
At a glance
K 2022 from October 19-26, 2022
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Hall 5, Stand A19
Product group: Machines and equipment for finishing, decorating, printing, and marking
Trade fair presentation focuses on: Automotive interior/exterior, consumer electronics, home appliances, sustainability
Last year, KURZ and its partner Deckerform presented the possibilities of this new technology at the FAKUMA trade fair. This year, the two companies will be presenting the further development of the RECOPOUND® technology in an optimized process at the leading trade fair, K 2022. The world’s largest trade fair for industrial plastics processing will take place from October 19 to 26 in Düsseldorf.
Live production of a transport box with finishing
Throughout K 2022, visitors to the TOYO and DECKERFORM partner stand (Hall 13, B77) can experience the live production of a transport box made of RECOPOUND® material. The component is manufactured in a fully automatic process and then decorated with a metallized logo using a hot-stamping process on a machine from KURZ subsidiary BAIER. The demonstrated finishing process is more efficient and sustainable than conventional pad printing. It also creates significantly more design freedom - for example, through different colors and metallizations. “Together with DECKERFORM and TOYO, we will be demonstrating live at K 2022 that the use of recycled materials can be easily combined with effective decoration,” explains Johannes Romming, Project Manager Innovation & Sustainability at LEONHARD KURZ. “The visual properties of the recycled material are in no way inferior to those of new material. What’s more, RECOPOUND® is manufactured entirely in Germany. KURZ is at your side as a competent partner throughout the entire process.”
Increased efficiency, cost savings, and sustainable added value
KURZ has been working with DECKERFORM and TOYO, based in the Bavarian town of Aichach, since 2019 and relies on the SME’s in-depth expertise in the fields of injection molding and injection molding tools. “We are very pleased that RECOPOUND® has taken another big step forward thanks to our joint expertise,” emphasizes Anna Tschacha from Deckerform’s management team.
During the further development of the entire process, both the RECOPOUND® material and the technology were significantly optimized. Production is now much more stable, user-friendly, and has fewer fluctuations. In addition, production cycle times have been reduced by about half, resulting in higher process efficiency and lower manufacturing costs. The flowability of the material has been improved and the weight reduced. This results in lighter products with even thinner walls - with consistently robust material properties.
RECOPOUND® can be used in many industries - for example, for large toolboxes, technical components, or garden furniture. The entire range of KURZ plastic decorations is also available for enhancing the appearance of recycled products. Notably, the finishing has no negative impact on the recyclability of the component. RECOPOUND® and the associated RECOSYS® recycling system are just two building blocks in LEONHARD KURZ’s ‘Lifecycle Thinking’.
At a glance
K 2022 from October 19-26, 2022
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Hall 5, Stand A19
Product group: Machines and equipment for finishing, decorating, printing, and marking
Trade fair presentation focuses on: Automotive interior/exterior, consumer electronics, home appliances, sustainability
