STIHL Honors Envalior as ”Supplier of the Year 2022”
Award from STIHL
Secure and reliable supply of products and services
Global production network as well as product and development expertise available worldwide
STIHL has named LANXESS Performance Materials GmbH, which is now part of Envalior, as one of its “Suppliers of the Year 2022” alongside four other companies. The family company has been honoring suppliers for outstanding performance in terms of quality, technology, innovation, service, and value for money since 1990. The awards were presented on June 28, 2023, at the recently opened STIHL Brand World in Waiblingen by Anke Kleinschmit, Executive Board Member for Research and Development, and Marc Moser, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Purchasing. Among other things, Envalior supplies STIHL with Durethan-brand polyamide compounds – in some cases in customized shades.
Long-standing, pancontinental partnership “STIHL, a long-standing partner of ours, was particularly appreciative of our reliable, fast and flexible supply of products and services to all of its locations around the world despite the global supply chain disruption,” said Tim Albert, Sales Director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland at Envalior. This success is based on the fact that Envalior and its production has a pancontinental presence and is therefore close to its international customers everywhere. “Moreover, our product and development expertise is available in all major economic areas. We can therefore provide our partners with targeted and extensive support wherever they are,” explains Dr. Thomas Brackemeyer, Vice President Business, Performance Materials, at Envalior. For example, Envalior operates compounding facilities for Durethan polyamides and Pocan polyesters in Krefeld-Uerdingen in Germany, in Wuxi in China, in Gastonia in the U.S. and in Porto Feliz in Brazil. It also has a dense network of regional and local centers for product and application development. For example, Envalior operates these service centers in Wuxi, Hong Kong, Porto Feliz and in Jhagadia in India.
STIHL develops, manufactures, and sells power tools for forestry, agriculture, landscaping, construction, and home gardeners. It has been the world’s top-selling chainsaw brand since 1971.
Envalior is a new company formed as a result of the merger of two industry leaders, DSM Engineering Materials (DEM) and LANXESS High Performance Materials (HPM). It is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high performance engineering plastics.
Certified Recyclates for High-Quality Applications
Plastics distributor and compounder WIS Kunststoffe is continuously expanding its product range. At Fakuma 2023, the company is now presenting new certified recyclates from up to 100 percent post-consumer collections with various approvals for demanding applications.
At Fakuma 2023, WIS Kunststoffe will present its capabilities as a compounder and distributor. WIS Kunststoffe places particular emphasis on its high-quality regranulates. WIS offers recyclates from both post-consumer sources (PCR) and post-industrial sources (PIR). Daniel Römhild, authorized signatory at WIS Kunststoffe, explains, “We have secured long-term access to recycling streams and, because we have our own production facilities, we can respond very individually to our customers’ requirements. In our fully equipped in-house laboratory, we can constantly monitor the quality of our products at the highest level,” explains Daniel Römhild. WIS Kunststoffe offers compounds with different recycled content optimized for specific applications. For example, recyclates with high color purity can be offered in white or natural colors, which have approval for the production of cosmetic packaging or toys.
Broad portfolio of application-specific recyclates
At Fakuma, WIS Kunststoffe will show odor-optimized polypropylene and polyethylene recyclates. These are suitable for sensitive applications, such as toys or household applications. For applications in the automotive industry, special “high-tech” recyclates (PCR) have been developed that meet the high standards of the industry and already fulfill the criteria of the upcoming regulations in this area. Reinforced variants (e.g. with glass fibers, glass beads, or talc) are also offered for exterior components, while odor-optimized grades with low emission values are available for interiors. Also new are polyamides with high heat resistance for technical applications, especially in the engine compartment. For the packaging industry, WIS now offers recycled polystyrenes (rPS).
The company from Breitungen has invested substancially in its technical equipment. Among other things, new extruders, testing equipment as well as modern recycling technology were purchased. “Only with state-of-the-art machines can we meet the high state of the art is it possible to meet our customers’ high quality demands,” Daniel Römhild knows.
Certified recyclates – safe to use
Daniel Römhild explains: “The demand for recyclates with high purity is constantly increasing and this trend will continue. and this trend will continue. More and more consumers and companies are attaching importance to sustainability and resource conservation in combination with a low low carbon footprint. We want to take account of this development and our certified PCR recyclates, we are opening up new application markets for our customers. We are particularly proud of the certification of our recycling plant according to EuCertPlast. This officially confirms that WIS Kunststoffe handles post-consumer plastics according to best practices and with respect for the environment.
EuCertPlast certification is the prerequisite for ensuring, for our recyclates to be used in the production of products bearing the “Blauer Engel” an important argument for environmentally conscious plastics processors.” In addition, the company is currently planning the acquisition of a larger photovoltaic system with the aim of achieving CO2-neutral production.
: Colorful recyclates for a wide range of applications, such as cosmetics, toys, automotive and much more.
High purity – great safety
All materials from WIS Kunststoffe have application-specific approvals. These include European food approvals according to (EU) No. 10/2011 , FDA, leave-on & rinse-off for cosmetics (EC) No. 1223/2009 and EN-71 for the toy industry. All common conformities can be confirmed, such as REACH, California Proposition 65, SVHC, etc. Furthermore, automotive applications can be realized according to European as well as global standards. Individual solutions for applications from the electronics sector (some with flame retardancy) can also be implemented, always tailored to the requirements of the respective project.
Daniel Römhild says: “We are looking forward to discussions and a common exchange about exciting projects and applications. Visit us at our new trade fair stand, which is entirely dedicated to the topic of the circular economy and awaits you with numerous concrete application examples. Let’s find out together how uncomplicated the use of high-quality recyclates can be.” WIS Kunststoffe GmbH, Hall B4, Booth B4-4307
“FORWARD!” action plan: Annual savings of around EUR 150 million from 2025 onward and more efficient positioning
Second-quarter sales down 11.1 percent to EUR 1.778 billion
EBITDA pre exceptionals down 57.7 percent year-on-year at EUR 107 million
Positive contribution from the Microbial Control business acquired from IFF in 2022
Net debt reduced by around a quarter to EUR 2.9 billion
Guidance for full year: EBITDA pre exceptionals between EUR 600 million and EUR 650 million
CEO Matthias Zachert: “We are taking measures to counter the economic downturn, but we urgently need competitive framework conditions – above all an electricity tariff for industry.”
With its “FORWARD!” action plan, special chemical company LANXESS counteracts the phase of weak economic development. This will initially save LANXESS around EUR 100 million in 2023 through one-time cost reductions and lower investments. In addition, the Group is positioning itself more efficiently and will permanently reduce its annual costs by around EUR 150 million from 2025 onward.
LANXESS’ business figures for the second quarter were again dominated by the weak global demand in many customer industries: Sales amounted to EUR 1.778 billion, down 11.1 percent from the previous year’s figure of EUR 1.999 billion. EBITDA pre exceptionals decreased by 57.7 percent from EUR 253 million to EUR 107 million. For the full year 2023, LANXESS expects EBITDA pre exceptionals of between EUR 600 million and EUR 650 million. The Group therefore confirmed the provisional guidance for the second quarter and the full year 2023 published on June 19.
The negative earnings performance was due to continued weak demand in many customer industries, ongoing inventory reduction among customers, and lower selling prices. China, the world’s largest chemical market, also failed to stimulate demand. Only the Consumer Protection segment achieved growth in sales. The contribution from the Microbial Control business acquired from IFF at the beginning of July 2022 had a positive effect here.
The Group’s EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was 6.0 percent, against 12.7 percent in the prior-year quarter. Net income from continuing operations declined to EUR -145 million in the second quarter compared with EUR 48 million in the prior-year quarter.
“The chemical industry and LANXESS are in a difficult situation right now. There is currently no sign of a recovery in demand anticipated for the second half of the year. We are therefore taking countermeasures: With our ‘FORWARD!’ action plan, we are stabilizing our earnings in the short term, lowering our costs in the long term and refining our structures and processes. When the economy picks up again, we want to get back on track quickly,” said Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG. “But that is not enough. Politicians need to finally wake up. In the current phase of economic weakness, the location Germany is not competitive internationally. We urgently need sustainable framework conditions – above all an internationally competitive electricity tariff for the industry, the reduction of excessive bureaucracy and faster approval procedures.”
“FORWARD!” action plan
The “FORWARD!” action plan has three parts. As a first step, the Group has taken immediate measures to quickly stabilize its earnings for the current fiscal year. The measures include strict cost discipline in all areas as well as a Europe-wide hiring freeze. This will result in one-time savings of EUR 100 million, half of which from cost reductions and half from lower investments.
With a package of structural measures, the Group intends to become more efficient in the long term and reduce its costs by EUR 150 million a year. The measures will be implemented successively and will take full effect from 2025 onwards. LANXESS projects one-time costs of around EUR 100 million for the implementation. The focus is on analyzing energy-intensive operations among the global plants and facilities and a streamlining of administrative structures.
Among the German production facilities, the plans are focused on the Krefeld-Uerdingen site: The hexane oxidation there is very energy-intensive and is to be shut down by 2026. The facility for chromium oxide production at this location is to be sold. For the event that a sale cannot be realized, LANXESS is also considering shutting down this facility.
The third part of the action plan is the further refinement of the business model. “In recent years, we have consistently reoriented our portfolio toward specialty chemicals and already achieved leading market positions in many areas. It is now time to fully leverage the potential of our new businesses. In addition, we want to further expand our range of sustainable products,” said Zachert.
Debt significantly reduced
LANXESS significantly reduced its debt in the second quarter. Net financial liabilities decreased by 24.9 percent from EUR 3.814 billion as of December 31, 2022, to EUR 2.863 billion as of June 30, 2023. The decrease resulted primarily from the payment received in connection with the formation of the joint venture Envalior. As of April 1 this year, LANXESS contributed its High Performance Materials business unit to the joint venture with the private equity investor Advent International in return for a payment of around EUR 1.27 billion from Advent.
Segments: Low demand from nearly all industries
The integration of the Microbial Control business acquired as of July 1, 2022, made a significant contribution to the Consumer Protection segment’s sales in the second quarter of 2023. Sales rose by 8.2 percent from EUR 558 million in the prior-year period to EUR 604 million. However, lower selling prices and volumes had the opposite effect. EBITDA pre exceptionals therefore amounted to EUR 82 million, down 8.9 percent on the prior-year period’s figure of EUR 90 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals reached 13.6 percent, against 16.1 percent a year ago.
Weak demand, especially from the construction and electronics industries, negatively affected the Specialty Additives segment’s sales and earnings. Sales amounted to EUR 620 million in the second quarter of 2023, down 18.8 percent compared with the prior-year quarter’s figure of EUR 764 million. EBITDA pre exceptionals amounted to EUR 37 million in the second quarter of this year, down a considerable 72.4 percent from the previous year’s figure of EUR 134 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals decreased from 17.5 percent in the previous year to 6.0 percent.
Lower selling prices and volumes negatively affected the Advanced Intermediates segment’s figures. Demand was weak from the construction and chemical industries in particular. Sales amounted to EUR 484 million in the second quarter of 2023, down 17.5 percent from the previous year’s figure of EUR 587 million. EBITDA pre exceptionals decreased by 68.9 percent from EUR 74 million in the prior-year period to EUR 23 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals declined to 4.8 percent, against 12.6 percent a year ago.
EcoSol: A Path to More Convenient, Safer, Precise Packaging!
When we think of packaging, our minds often go to papers or plastics that surround a product and must be thrown away or reused after the contents have been removed. However, PVA dissolvable packaging is another growing, desirable option for a variety of markets. Cortec discusses some of the advantages, opportunities, and historical use of EcoSol below.
Advantages of Water-Soluble Plastic Film
EcoSol is a PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) packaging film that dissolves in water at room temperature. This special characteristic offers several advantages for specialty packaging applications.
Precision: Products that are added to a watery environment can be dosed precisely by the manufacturer. All the end user has to do is place the EcoSol pouch or package directly into the environment where it needs to go.
Safety: Chemicals or contaminated items packaged inside EcoSol can be handled without touching them directly. Since EcoSol is water-soluble and biodegradable, it is also less likely to pollute the environment like other forms of plastic packaging.
Convenience: The previous two characteristics are part of the greater overall convenience of EcoSol packaging. Application of the encapsulated product simply means tossing the entire unit—bag and all—into the target area without extra mess or hassle.
Expand Packaging Options with EcoSol
EcoSol has good mechanical properties and is heat sealable, allowing it to be made into bags, sachets, or pouches for a wide range of products. Some examples are as follows.
Healthcare – EcoSol can be made into bags for dirty laundry or contaminated instruments. When collected, these bags can be thrown directly into the washing machine or parts washers to eliminate direct contact with dirty items.
While the linens or instruments are cleaned, the EcoSol bag is washed away, leaving its clean contents behind.
Agriculture – fertilizers or other soil or livestock nutrients can be packaged in EcoSol and easily mixed with water for final application.
Construction – EcoSol is a great way to package concrete additives. The pouches can be tossed into ready-mix water to dissolve prior to adding cementitious materials.
Water Treatment – EcoSol is an excellent packaging and dosing choice for biologicals and nutrients that will be added to wastewater, or for corrosion inhibitors and scale removers that will be added to industrial boilers or heat exchangers. The film will dissolve quickly in these warm, wet environments.
Cleaning Supplies – EcoSol can be used to wrap detergent cartridges that can be inserted touch-free into the dishwasher. It is also a great way to package powder cleaning concentrates for easy addition to buckets of wash water.
Personal Care Products – EcoSol can be made into disposable cases for beauty products or used to wrap bathing products that will be directly thrown into bath water (e.g., bath salts).
The list goes on, with many other creative and practical uses.
Preventing Product Loss
EcoSol Film was able to take packaging in a new direction for an agriculture supplement company that packaged manure and feed additives in regular bags. When the powders were dumped out of the bags for application, the wind sometimes carried part of the product away. Using EcoSol allowed the company to package the manure additive powders in pouches that customers could add directly to a watery environment without fear of product loss.
Make Life Easier with EcoSol
Dissolvable packaging is an excellent solution for many packaging applications. The chief benefit is to make life easier for the end user, which in turn makes business easier for manufacturers who want products to work well for customers. If you have an application that might benefit from water-soluble packaging, contact Cortec to discuss EcoSol options.
XSYS to Demonstrate Printing Innovation for a Brilliant Future at Labelexpo 2023
XSYS, formerly part of Flint Group, has announced its participation as a gold sponsor and exhibitor at Labelexpo Europe on 11–14 September 2023. Coming to the show in Brussels with a strong standalone identity and continued commitment to driving innovation, XSYS will showcase its wide range of solutions, which have been designed to reshape the future of label and packaging printing.
Labelexpo will serve as the perfect platform for XSYS to demonstrate its market-leading technologies, including the newly introduced nyloflex FTV Digital plate for high-end flexible packaging, alongside other premium flexo products, such as the nyloflex XVH and nyloflex XAH thermal plates. With the choice to expose using either conventional tube lights or LED technology, the new nyloflex FTV flexo plate offers platemakers and printers the best of both worlds helping to reduce complexity in the plate room while improving productivity. For the letterpress market, the company will show the nyloprint WF Sharp water washable, film-based plate, which has been developed for high-end label production.
Visitors to stand 3B24 will be able to experience the ThermoFlexX TFxX 48 plate imager connected via a robotic interface to the new Catena-E 48 LED exposure unit, a powerful combination that represents a leap in efficiency and quality for plate processing. The ThermoFlexX TFxX 30 model, which can image smaller plate sizes up to 635 x 762mm (25 x 30”), can also be seen on the stand. Both imagers are compact and efficient solutions that deliver highest quality flat-top dot plates at an impressive level of productivity, coupled with low cost of ownership and less waste.
In addition, XSYS will be highlighting its rotec sleeve and adapter portfolio with a demonstration of the next evolution of Eco technology, the Eco Xtra Ring. The showcase will give visitors a chance to appreciate more closely the flexible rotec options for improved sustainability and efficiency.
XSYS will also be in action in the feature area in Hall 11 as sponsor of the “Flexo’s Future: ECG” seminar that will discuss the many benefits of implementing fixed color palette printing. Visitors can register for an organized ECG trail through the sponsors’ stands, where they will be able to speak to XSYS in more detail about this key topic.
“Our mission is to empower XSYS customers to be brilliant and successful with optimized and complete solutions for labels and packaging. Incorporating cutting-edge innovation into everything we do, we will be at Labelexpo with highly advanced technologies such as the new Catena-E 48 LED exposure unit, which offers increased sustainability, quality, speed, and consistency for narrow and medium web printers,” said Daniel Velema, General Manager Prepress at XSYS. “We also encourage visitors to engage with us regarding the completed suite of ThermoFlexX Woodpecker surface microstructures, which now includes Nevis screening for optimized printing with white inks on film-based substrates.”
Florian Hölzle, Product Manager for nyloflex and nylosolv, added, “XSYS is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of flexo printing with more standout innovations that will help label and packaging printers face the many challenges in a fast-changing market. The nyloflex FTV plate is a great example of how XSYS continues to innovate with solutions that drive growth by optimizing the platemaking process.”
Mondi’s Protector Bag ExpandForm Wins the German Packaging Award 2023
Mondi has been awarded with the German Packaging Award 2023 in the “material substitution” category.
Protector Bag ExpandForm replaces existing plastic solutions for mattress rollpacking with recyclable paper bags.
The mattress packaging is made from Mondi kraft paper, offering breathable and expandable product features.
Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has won the German Packaging Award 2023 in the category “material substitution” for Protector Bag ExpandForm, which is awarded by the German Packaging Institute.
Developed in collaboration with Megaflex Schaumstoff, a family-owned manufacturer for flexible foams, mattresses and sleeping products, Protector Bag ExpandForm replaces the current plastic packaging for mattress rollpacking with a flexible and recyclable paper bag solution.
The innovative packaging not only helps to reduce plastic waste but also ensures optimal product protection and handling during the transportation and storage of rolled mattresses. Its unique design and superior strength provide secure packaging that retains its shape and protects the mattresses throughout the transport journey.
The great partnership between Mondi and Megaflex Schaumstoff ensured a smooth transition, and implementation of the new solution, with only a few adjustments to the packaging machinery. By the end of 2023, Megaflex plans to switch its entire range of mattress rollpacking to paper packaging, which is already used for instance by Bett1 to package its kids’ mattresses.
Max Melzer, Sales Developer Protector Bags, Mondi says “We are honoured to receive the German Packaging Award for our Protector Bag ExpandForm. At Mondi, we are committed to driving innovation and sustainability in the packaging industry. This recognition shows our dedication to providing our customers with smart, sustainable, and fit-for-purpose packaging solutions.”
The engagement for the future is deeply anchored in the Jagenberg Group and its mission “Create.Future.Together.” With the j-united 2025 strategy, the topic was already put on the Jagenberg Group’s agenda in 2021. Along with customer orientation, profitability and technology, sustainability is a central pillar of the group-wide strategy. Since then, it has been strategic will to address global changes in their various dimensions: “For us, it is both an ambition and an commitment to leave the best possible planet for future generations,” emphasizes Dr. Stephan Witt, Executive Board of Jagenberg AG. “That’s why we defined the environmental, social and governance agenda for Jagenberg Group, established in our sustainability strategy and made it public with our first sustainability report.”
Jagenberg Group understands the importance of sustainability and therefore created a sustainability manager position. Since June 2022 Dr. Sascha Schneiderwind is responsible for sustainability at Jagenberg Group. He reports to the Executive Board of Jagenberg AG.
Jagenberg Group’s first sustainability report
The main goal of the first sustainability report is to provide valuable information to stakeholders and general public. It also aims to encourage members of Jagenberg Group to adopt sustainable behavior. To meet the interests the stakeholder’s expectations, the sustainability report describes the Jagenberg Group’s strategic approach and presents its realization along the value chain. In the sustainability report, the dimensions of the ESG agenda (Environmental, Social, Governance) can be found in dedicated chapters, which also portray the Group’s sustainability efforts regarding the protection of climate • “Caring for the Planet”, resource awareness • “Caring for Solutions,” employer attractiveness • “Caring for People,” and responsible corporate management • “Caring for Leadership.”
Film Stretching Line Concepts for Multiple Applications
High-end film for a better world
Worldwide megatrends such as (food) safety, health, mobility or environmental protection have gained great influence on the field of flexible plastic films. At ArabPlast Brückner Maschinenbau will show stretching line concepts for high-quality packaging films as well as sophisticated technical films at booth 2B133. Focus of the new developments are topics such as recyclability and circularity but also energy supply, storage and savings.
Mono-material films: Number 1 in achieving recycling targets
The design of new packaging is aimed at mono-material solutions that consist of only one polymer and yet have all the necessary functionalities. Brückner Maschinenbau will show solutions for the state-of-the-art materials BOPP and BOPET and also for new opportunities with BOPE:
PP mono-material applications, where complex laminates are substituted by
all-polypropylene versions
Usage of recylate PET made from post-consumer without any losses in quality
Unique BOPE/BOPP hybrid lines allowing to react swiftly and flexible to market trends
Solutions for bio-based and bio-degradable film
Bio-materials are increasingly being used for the manufacture of biaxially stretched packaging films. The most successful to date is PLA/PHA – Brückner has vast experience with it. Recently other bio-based raw materials are in discussion as competitive alternatives to the existing polymers. Brückner is ready to partner with any film producer to conquer the market for bio-based and bio-degradable film.
Technical and industrial films enabling high-end technology
Technical films are more and more requested – without them, many everyday but also future-oriented applications would not exist: e.g. displays and screens, mobile phones, electric vehicles, printed electronics, solar panels. Within this field, E-mobility applications are the big drivers, requesting new line concepts for the production of various high-tech films:
Battery separator films: Brückner Maschinenbau presents unique lines as well as customized machine components for the battery separator production. They are in operation at leading manufacturers around the globe, separators from Brückner machines have successfully passed all standard battery tests.
Current collector films: Beside separator films, current collector film is another important part of the battery cells. Benefits of the usage of oriented films: downgauging, weight saving up to 3-4 times and reduction of metal up to more than 80% – this means decisively reduced costs. At the same time the energy density per cell is increased.
Capacitor films: Our present and future life would not function without capacitors. The demand for capacitors of all kind – from micro to power capacitor – will extensively grow in the coming years. Brückner delivers the sequential as well as the simultaneous stretching process. Both are ideal for the manufacture of extremely thin and high-temperature films for EV applications or high energy density film for renewable energy applications in the power industry.
Brückner Servtec: Latest service & upgrading solutions for film stretching lines
Also at the joint booth: Brückner Servtec, presenting their service and upgrading solutions under the motto “lifecycle and sustainability”:
Line conversion
Portfolio extension with 5-layer or 7-layer film production
Upgrade to production of sustainable PE film-types
Inline-coating for increased surface properties
Production & process optimization
Increased line uptime and optimized product quality with software upgrades
Expanded line availability and efficiency with a new clean oven concept including heat recovery system
Clip and chain refurbishment
At the joint Brückner Group booth, besides Brückner Maschinenbau and Brückner Servtec, Kiefel will be showing the latest developments for the packaging, medical and appliance industry.
KRAIBURG TPE Unveils Innovative TPE Compound Series for Automotive Exterior Applications
As environmental concerns around the world continue to escalate, automotive manufacturers are increasingly seeking greener solutions to align with sustainability goals. One such solution that has captured the industry’s attention is Sustainable Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), https://www.kraiburg-tpe.com/en/sustainability a prominent choice for automotive exterior applications due to its eco-friendly properties and versatile usage in various exterior components.
KRAIBURG TPE, a global manufacturer in thermoplastic elastomer materials and customized solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its revolutionary TPE compound series, tailored exclusively for automotive exterior applications. https://www.kraiburg-tpe.com/en/automotive-exterior This groundbreaking series, known as THERMOLAST R RC/UV/AP, promises to redefine the automotive industry’s commitment to sustainability while maintaining top-notch performance.
THERMOLAST R RC/UV/AP stands out with its exceptional adhesion to PP, UV resistance. Available in elegant black color, it is the ideal material solution to meet the demanding needs of Asia Pacific’s automotive market.
Minimizing Environmental Impact
An essential aspect of this innovative TPE series lies in its commitment to environmental responsibility. By incorporating 15-40% recycled content from post-consumer materials, KRAIBURG TPE has taken a significant step towards minimizing the environmental impact of automotive production. This circular economy approach reflects the company’s dedication to sustainable practices within the automotive industry.
Material Advantages
With a post-consumer recycled content of 15-40%, our TPE actively contributes to reducing the ecological footprint, embodying sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices. Engineered to withstand challenging outdoor conditions, it boasts exceptional weather resistance, ensuring optimal performance and durability. Its seamless adhesion to PP materials enhances component integration and longevity.
The TPE’s low density contributes to lightweight and fuel-efficient vehicle designs, while its impressive temperature stability up to 90°C ensures material integrity under varying weather conditions. With a hardness range from 50 to 90 Shore A, it offers flexibility for diverse exterior applications. Having passed the rigorous Florida test with a 2-year cycle and achieving a GS≥4 rating, our TPE demonstrates outstanding weatherability and UV resistance. https://www.kraiburg-tpe.com/en/kraiburg-tpe-adds-functionality-and-design-vehicle-navigation-devices
Embrace sustainable choices with recycling-specific raw material influences and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your automotive exteriors. Choose our TPE compound series for unparalleled performance, eco-friendliness, and style in automotive applications.
The versatile attributes of THERMOLAST R RC/UV/AP make it ideal for various automotive exterior applications, including cowls gaskets, window encapsulations, applications in the new mobility segment, underbody applications, and so forth.
Sustainability successes of our TPEs
KRAIBURG TPE’s recent sustainability innovations include a series of material solutions specially developed for automotive, consumer, consumer electronics, wearables and industry applications. Comprising up to 48% post-consumer recycled (PCR) and 50% post-industrial recycled (PIR) content, the material complies with multiple global standards such as FDA raw material compliance, RoHS and REACH SVHC requirements. KRAIBURG TPE also provides customers with product carbon footprint values.
In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with all kinds of information in all possible formats, shapes, colours and sounds. Our brains receive thousands of messages every day and are constantly switching from one topic to another. At work, we are handling video conferencing, instant messaging, emails, phone calls and face-to-face meetings while also keeping an eye on our phone in case something urgent comes up and needs an immediate response. In a matter of years, generations have shifted from watching movies to YouTube videos to TikTok clips to Instagram adverts in their leisure time.
In this hectic environment of endless choices, brands aiming to last and be profitable must find ways to stand out from the crowd. Revolutionized by the internet, marketing has become a crucial element of any business plan, with companies dedicating significant resources to it.
However, not all types of marketing can fulfil a company’s objectives. Today, customers are more market-aware, more demanding and less brand-loyal, meaning that companies must be very smart with their marketing approach and design an effective marketing strategy that will truly reflect their values and products, differentiate from competitors and ultimately, and most importantly, drive sales.
By “effective marketing” we don’t mean that we must favour digital (or modern) marketing – quick to implement – and forget about offline (or traditional) marketing. Instead, effective marketing means defining a powerful strategy with original, creative and thoughtful ideas that will make an impact on our target audience, supported by consistent, coherent and clever messages and followed by a well-defined and timely action plan.
Now we know what’s needed to achieve effective marketing, let’s talk about implementing it. Great marketing ideas often die because companies fail to implement them properly. On the other hand, good marketing ideas can become an incredible success when they are flawlessly implemented.
For reasons that vary depending on the company’s type or products, nowadays many brands solely focus on digital marketing. They invest from modest budgets to millions of dollars in Google and YouTube ads, Instagram videos, TikTok clips, web banners, SEO and SEM, hiring influencers to promote their products, etc. To survive, these brands need a constant market presence online, continuously delivering new content and being ever more creative and compelling. If they don’t, it’s just a matter of time before these brands fade and die.
At first, digital marketing may seem fun, modern and less costly than printed marketing. However, there’s a high risk involved in advertising your brand exclusively through digital marketing: due to the huge volume of content available on the Internet and the usually short attention span of online customers, your brand will be competing with millions of other brands and can be quickly forgotten and replaced by one more active, more pervasive, or trendier than yours.
We always tell our customers that online marketing is like a fireplace: the moment you start burning fewer logs than your competitors, your fire will eventually go out. Branding your product online is a constant battle to burn more and more logs!
So, even though online marketing is a must and can bring significant benefits, we must not ignore the enormous influence of offline marketing in helping shape consumer behaviour and the amplified benefits of mixing both types of marketing.
Sensory marketing as a means of influencing consumer behaviour
five senses: smell, vision, taste, hearing and touch.
While digital marketing reaches the sight and hearing of customers, brands must use a combination of printed, physical and offline marketing to reach all five senses: smell, vision, taste, hearing and touch.
Because of the vast amounts of information we receive every day, our brains can only retain what makes a strong impression on us by creating a memorable experience. Of course, emotions play a very important role in making an experience memorable. The more senses are involved in that experience or event, the more impactful it will be.
Sensory marketing is a form of marketing that targets customers’ senses to create an emotional connection with a product or brand. It utilises a variety of sensory stimuli to influence consumer behaviour. By engaging multiple senses, sensory marketing can help brands create a lasting impression on consumers. Sensory marketing can also be used to influence consumer behaviour. For example, research has shown that certain scents can increase sales, while certain colours can influence consumer perceptions of a product’s quality.
Printed marketing materials help achieve sensory marketing
Overall, sensory marketing has become an increasingly important tool for brands looking to create memorable customer experiences and drive sales. On many occasions, sensory marketing can only be achieved with the help of printed materials, such as a magazine advert that includes a sample of a hand lotion or a perfume, or a high-level financial services company that sends its prospect customers a copy of their new corporate brochure printed on a special substrate that reflects wealth and prestige.
Printed materials such as brochures, catalogues and flyers are physical items that remain in potential customers’ hands, making them easier to revisit and recall, read at their leisure and even share with others. For instance, when a company is exhibiting at a tradeshow, distributing printed product brochures or postcards (instead of a PDF or an email) inviting customers to join a company event can make the difference between a potential customer forgetting about the brand or remembering it long after the tradeshow has ended.
Printed marketing materials can be very cost-effective, as they can be produced digitally at an affordable cost and strategically placed in locations where the target audience is most likely to be. A typical example: a real estate company placing flyers about a new housing development in local cafes or grocery stores to reach their target audience.
Printed marketing can also help build brand recognition by using distinctive substrates, designs, fonts, and colour schemes that people associate with the company. This strategy can be highly effective in creating a loyal customer base more likely to remember the company, its products and services in the future.
Finally, printed marketing can help a company establish credibility and trust in the eyes of potential customers. Companies that invest in quality printed marketing give the impression that they are serious about their business and are generally seen as more trustworthy than those relying solely on digital marketing. This, in turn, can lead to increased confidence from potential customers and greater brand recognition as well.
In conclusion, despite the rise of digital marketing, offline marketing remains an essential part of any effective marketing strategy as very often it involves “touching” the customers’ five senses. Brands that decide to include printed marketing in their marketing mix to provide a tangible means of accessing information are a step ahead in establishing credibility and trust among their target audience.
Drupa is the perfect example of a five-sense marketing activity heavily supported by offline marketing. This is the place where new technologies are presented in a way that is impacting the consumer’s five senses creating a memorable and meaningful experience. Only online is not enough!
