LEONHARD KURZ and ARBURG present efficient technologies for producing with recycled plastics at K 2022
Fürth/Germany, September 19, 2022: The desire for efficiency and sustainability is shaping the plastics industry and is constantly presenting it with new challenges. How can manufacturing and decoration processes be optimized? Which sustainable raw materials can be used, and which technologies are bringing the industry and consumers closer to a circular economy? All these questions will be the focus of K 2022. The industry will come together at the leading international trade fair for the plastics industry from October 19 to 26, 2022 in Düsseldorf to present its latest solutions.
LEONHARD KURZ was the first company in the plastics industry to develop a take-back system for the production residues of the carrier materials. “This closes the material cycle of our production,” explains Martin Hahn, Head of Application, Technology & Innovation at KURZ’s Business Area Plastic Decoration, and adds: “The Post-Industrial Recycling (PIR) compound RECOPOUND®, which is produced by recycling PET transfer carrier residues from the graphic industry, can be processed in injection molding on standard machines and finished using advanced hot-stamping and insert-molding technologies.”
Cutting-edge technology
“Today, stakeholders in the plastics industry face various challenges,” continues Martin Hahn. “On the one hand, they are encouraged to reduce energy consumption during production. On the other hand, they must enable a high degree of customization, while their customers attach particular and increasing importance to sustainability. Together with ARBURG, we’ll show how they can successfully reconcile all these aspects using established processes.”
Recycling materials and efficient technologies
KURZ and ARBURG will be demonstrating the insert molding technology live at the ARBURG stand A13 in hall 13. Here, a Tool Case will be produced and refined. “With insert molding, the carrier material can be deformed more than with the classic In-Mold Decoration process,” explains Martin Hahn. “This makes it particularly suitable for producing highly profiled components. At the ARBURG stand, we will decorate the corners of the Tool Case using Insert Molding. But that’s not all. We use hot stamping to refine the ARBURG logo inline with a brushed and metallized decor on the case shell. This allows visitors to experience not one, but two efficient KURZ processes.”
Several components of the case are manufactured from RECOPOUND® in this joint project. “We are especially proud to be able to show here how this material obtained from industrial waste materials is used as a raw material for new components,” emphasizes Martin Hahn. “The material has robust mechanical properties and, thanks to its gray color scheme, is a good match for the overall concept, which reflects the ARBURG colors. RECOPOUND® is generally ideal for the production of stable and robust products, can be decorated to a high-quality standard, and reduces CO2 consumption by up to 40 percent compared to production with new material.”
Bundled expertise to benefit the industry
With ARBURG, KURZ has found the right partner to implement the project. The renowned machine manufacturer supplies a tailor-made injection molding system in the form of an automated ALLROUNDER 1120 H. “Our aim is to offer solutions that meet all requirements. To this end, we not only develop and build powerful all-rounders that work quickly, efficiently, and precisely, but also design and implement individual turnkey solutions as a system supplier,” emphasizes Andreas Reich, Head of Central Sales & Applied Technologies at ARBURG.
In addition to demonstrating production live on site, visitors to both the ARBURG and KURZ stands can learn about insert molding, hot stamping, and the use of recycled plastics.
At a glance
K 2022 from October 19-26, 2022
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Hall 5, Stand A19
ARBURG GmbH + Co KG: Hall 13, Stand A13
Product group: Machines and equipment for finishing, decorating, printing, and marking
Focal points of the LEONHARD KURZ trade fair appearance: Automotive interior/exterior, consumer electronics, home appliances, sustainability
