Innovation meets sustainability: KURZ presents solutions for the world of tomorrow in Las Vegas

Fürth/Germany, January 4, 2022: Year after year, CES in Las Vegas is one of the world’s largest trade fairs for consumer electronics. Between January 5 and 8, LEONHARD KURZ will be using the global innovation fair to present pioneering plastic surface solutions and eye-catching design concepts for the world of tomorrow. At stand 4567, the company will give an impressive demonstration that there will be virtually no limits to design, decoration, and functionality in the future. The possibilities are more diverse than ever - even with sustainability in mind. After all, anyone looking today at ideas for the future of consumer electronics or the automotive industry can’t avoid considering the consequences for the environment, climate, and society. KURZ has no doubt that sustainability has become one of the most important success factors in the development of innovations. The thin-film technology expert actively promotes sustainability throughout the entire group of KURZ companies in accordance with its ‘Be a green leader’ customer promise, which also plays a role in its CES presentation.

Responsible quality

KURZ sets nothing but the highest quality standards for its products - which is why the surfaces developed by the company are durable and impress with their combination of design and functionality, for example. At the same time, a sense of responsibility towards people and nature is always at the forefront: Efficient production processes and short transport distances are guaranteed owing to production sites in Germany, China, and the USA. These are just two examples of numerous important measures that the company takes to continuously improve its environmental balance sheet. Using renewable energies and adhering to internationally uniform environmental standards that go far beyond the statutory regulations are also a matter of course for KURZ. In order to leave future generations with a world worth living in, our own actions are also constantly being put to the test. The use of renewable raw materials, for example, has been identified as having particularly great potential for optimizing the ecological footprint. While around 30 percent of the raw materials used in KURZ decorations is currently of organic origin, the company is working to increase this share to up to 80 percent. This is an important milestone in the sustainability strategy of the thin-film technology expert, which since March 2021 has been involved in the UN Global Compact initiative, one of the largest and most important campaigns for responsible corporate management.

Lifecycle Thinking: Considering the entire value chain

KURZ pursues a ‘360° Lifecycle Thinking’ approach throughout the company, taking into account the entire product life cycle - from the manufacture of the components to their return to the recycling cycle at the end of their useful life. KURZ’s production processes, such as in-mold decoration, are particularly energy-efficient and thus CO₂-reducing, by combining injection molding of the plastic component with application of the decoration in a single work step. The integration of sensors can also be completed in this sustainable production process. KURZ’s wafer-thin transfer finishings are fully recyclable and do not stand in the way of material-appropriate use of the components. This has been extensively proven by extensive test series. No compromises must be made in terms of appearance: Freedom of design is virtually limitless - even for components made from recycled material. With KURZ decorations, products made from recycled materials are just as aesthetically pleasing and versatile as those made from new material. However, for those who want to visibly demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, KURZ offers a variety of interesting ‘eco designs’, which trade visitors can also experience first-hand at CES.

Thin-film metallization - the environmentally friendly alternative to electroplating

In addition to presenting innovative designs, KURZ will also be introducing a special innovation among its available metallization options at CES. In addition to chrome, aluminum, and tin, the thin-film technology company recently also started offering indium as a promising real-metallization option. The efficient, emission-free IMD transfer process and hot stamping of the hard chrome hue can be achieved without having to apply the environmentally harmful and potentially health-endangering electroplating process. In addition, the use of KURZ metallizations can improve the carbon footprint of customers by up to 95 percent. Another major advantage of indium is its radar and 5G permeability, which makes metallization interesting for many industries. This is as useful for manufacturers of consumer electronics that serve the trend towards smart consumer products with antenna technology, as it is for automobile manufacturers who are working on the autonomous vehicles of tomorrow. Indium also holds great potential for highly functional and innovative control panels, which are increasingly used in the household appliance industry for products in the smart home segment. Thanks to the excellent radiolucency of the metallization option, it is ideally suited for ambient lighting as well as for Shy Tech designs. This will also be demonstrated to trade fair visitors in Las Vegas.

Online presence for CES 2022

LEONHARD KURZ is also using its trade fair presence in Las Vegas to showcase a comprehensive online presentation of the company’s innovations and exhibition highlights. Visit www.ces.plastic-decoration.com for detailed information and extras such as videos or 3D animations on CES products and topics.

At a glance

CES 2022 from January 5 to 8, 2022
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Stand 4567
Our trade fair presentation focuses on automotive interior, consumer electronics, sustainability