KURZ

Inspiration for the world of packaging design

Fürth/Germany, 17/02/2021: What topics are on people's minds around the world? And how are these ex-pressed in design? The trend team at Leonhard Kurz has been following the spirit of the times for nine years. The results of the current investigation show that people want one thing above all; the world should become a better place. The KURZ team identified four design trends from this research and pre-sent them in the 'Box next to Box. two' packaging concept, which contains four expressively decorated paper boxes, each representing a trend. Eight new colors and three new decors for hot-stamping finishing have been developed for the current trends. 'Box next to Box. two' calls on creatives and brand owners to dare to try new things in packaging design and be inspired by the spirit of the times.

Bavarian Innovation Prize for Leonhard Kurz

Fuerth/Germany, 01/02/2021: Pioneering progress from Fürth: Thin-film expert Leonhard Kurz has been awarded the 3rd main prize of the Bavarian Innovation Prize for the 'IMD VARIOFORM® with Functional In-Mold Labeling (IML)' process. This technological solution bundles the four processes of thermoforming, decorating, integrating a sensor, and punching directly in the injection molding tool in a single processing phase. For the first time, this innovation allows touch sensors to be deformed in three dimensions, injected with plastic and integrated into geometrically sophisticated and decorated components.

Faster and more economical finishing with cold transfer

Fuerth/Germany, 25/01/2021: Whether it be inventory levels, setup times or yields – now more than ever, print shops need to pull out all the stops to remain competitive. To enable maximum cost efficiency in cold transfer finishing, Leonhard Kurz has developed a new cold transfer formulation. With its new KPS SX+ cold transfer product, the company is offering its customers a versatile grade that eliminates the need to use several products for different finishes. The range of applications is large. KPS SX+ is equally suitable for conventional and UV systems with their respective adhesives and inks, for different substrates, for food packaging and foil saving modules, and for large as well as filigree motifs.

Leonhard Kurz presents innovations in plastic decoration at CES 2021

Fuerth/Germany, 11/01/2021: Leonhard Kurz will once again be presenting innovations in the field of plastic decoration at this year's all-digital CES innovation show, which will take place online due to the coronavirus pandemic. The company is literally breaking new ground at CES: Under the name New Ground, Kurz is presenting an antibacterial surface treatment and metallization options with indium.

Sustainable and Innovative - Leonhard Kurz promotes circular recycling economy

Fuerth/Germany, 08/01/2021: Life Cycle Thinking is anchored in Kurz's corporate goals. The com-mitment to sustainability and the active advancement of the circular recycling economy is now clearly re-flected in this year's appearance of the company at the all-digital CES innovation show.

Under the theme Earth Attraction, the global player from Fürth in Germany is showing product and design innovations, plus addressing sustainable and highly effective solutions for a variety of industries. The new design concept Gravity Forces, inspired by the elements of fire, water, earth and air, as well as environ-mentally friendly plastic decoration innovations, presented under the name New Ground, pay homage to nature, which Kurz aims to preserve. With Circle of Life, the company also shows its commitment to sus-tainability at all levels, from production to waste recycling.

Focus on nature - Leonhard Kurz presents new design concepts at CES 2021

Fuerth/Germany, 07/01/2021: Simply appealing – Leonhard Kurz will be presenting all digital design concepts in addition to innovations in plastic decoration at this year's CES innovation show, which will take place online due to the coronavirus pandemic. The company focuses on nature, presents new techniques and looks under the name of Gravity Forces, inspired by shapes and patterns from the environment, thus developing a special appeal. All surface designs are created using Kurz decoration methods.

PolyIC becomes official design partner of Cypress Semiconductor

Fuerth/Germany, 21/12/2020: The U.S. technology company Cypress Semiconductor has included Kurz subsidiary PolyIC in the so-called Design Partner program and will list the company on the Cypress website in future (https://www.cypress.com/design-partner-program/partners). The intensification of the cooperation, which has already lasted almost ten years, is based on PolyIC's proven expertise in the technology fields of capacitive keys, touch screens, multi-touch sensors and domed surfaces.

Gräfe takes part in the Leonhard Kurz PET recycling program

Fuerth/Germany, 30/11/2020: Gräfe will be one of the first print finishing companies to take part in Leonhard Kurz's PET recycling program, which involves returning the PET carrier foil from transfer products to the material cycle. The residual PET material from the finishing process is collected and converted into injection molding material in a recycling facility developed by Kurz.

Gräfe decided for the Kurz recycling concept to strengthen its company's firmly anchored commitment to sustainable finishing. Gräfe is striving to exploit every opportunity, strategically and production technology-wise, to act in a sustainable manner and to advise their own customers accordingly.

Leonhard Kurz's InLine Foiling decoration approved by RecyClass

Fuerth/Germany, 24/11/2020: The Kurz InLine Foiling decoration technology is compatible with the HDPE containers recycling stream, independent testing confirms. The analysis was carried out by IKTR laboratory as per the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocol.

Leonhard Kurz extends its machine range with a standalone metallization unit

Fuerth/Germany, 06/11/2020: Leonhard Kurz expands its DM-Liner series of machines for digital metallization with the standalone DM-Uniliner finishing unit. This transfer machine for the narrow web sector, which is equipped with inkjet technology, offers maximum flexibility in the finishing process. It can be employed before or after color printing.

New opportunities for learning about plastic decoration

Fuerth/Germany, 12/10/2020: In October and November 2020 Leonhard Kurz is offering four online seminars on plastic decoration. The free training sessions are oriented toward developers and designers in the automotive, home appliances, and various other sectors. Kurz specialists will explain how companies develop smart surfaces with distinguished brand character.

Touch sensors from PolyIC in automotive series production

Fuerth/Germany, 05/10/2020: Touch sensors from Kurz subsidiary PolyIC have been integrated into capacitive volume controls from the automotive supplier Preh. The control is located on the center console of the new Audi A3, model AU380. It can be conveniently operated by the front passenger and controlled either via a mechanical push function or capacitive touch function. The PolyTC brand name sensor ensures the reliable functioning of the capacitive touch operation – even after multiple uses, as proven by the rigorous testing of the automotive industry. PolyTC sensors meet the stringent service life requirements for components according to the VW standard and the specifications of other premium manufacturers.

Technology alliance for automotive interior designs of the future

Fuerth/Germany, 23/09/2020: Concept vehicles of auto manufacturers increasingly exhibit car cockpits with no mechanical switches or buttons. The solid, seamless and gently curved surfaces are equipped with functions that are activated by touch. Concealed under the uniformly decorated surface are control elements that only become visible when required. The automotive interior designs convey an elegant lightness despite the highly complex underlying technology. The coating manufacturer Leonhard Kurz has developed an HMI (Human Machine Interface) concept panel with a forward-looking design that fully exploits the technical possibilities. This high-end plastic component was realized in collaboration with Kurz subsidiaries and partners.

Leonhard Kurz confirms drupa attendance

Fuerth/Germany, 17/08/2020: Leonhard Kurz confirms its attendance at the rescheduled drupa from April 20-28, 2021 in Düsseldorf. The company has been consistently represented at drupa since 1954, and this will not change in the coming year. Being the world's leading trade fair for the printing sector, drupa is an important platform for Kurz to exhibit its latest finishing solutions.

Residual PET material turned into injection molding material

Fuerth/Germany, 09/07/2020: Leonhard Kurz has developed a process for recycling residual PET materials. This enables the carrier foils from Kurz transfer finishing products to be returned to the material cycle. The recycled material can be used as an injection molding material for high-value applications.

Front-end design from Kurz receives award in the Automotive Brand Contest

Fuerth/Germany, 07/07/2020: Leonhard Kurz has won an award at the Automotive Brand Contest 2020 for an automotive front panel concept. Kurz received the design prize in the Future, Mobility and Parts category. The company had already won a prize in the same category in 2018 with its decorative trim concept. This time the jury was impressed by an exterior front panel that was designed for electric cars and points the way to the future of automotive front-end design.

KURZ presents design and process innovations at a virtual trade fair booth

Fuerth/Germany, 02/06/2020: KURZ will be taking part in the KUNSTSTOFF MAGAZIN world & conference, the German virtual trade fair and interactive conference for the plastics industry. The company will be presenting new solutions for decorative and functional surfaces at the digital trade fair from June 17 to July 3.

In-mold decoration of household appliances: Swiss manufacturer V-ZUG AG implements sustainable series production with three partners

Fuerth/Germany, 11/05/2020: Using the know-how from four industries to drive innovation in the area of household appliances: that was the objective of the Swiss kitchen specialist V-ZUG AG when it took three companies on board for a joint project. Included were the coating specialist Leonhard Kurz in Fürth, Germany, the injection molding experts at A. & J. Stöckli AG in Switzerland, and the machinery maker KraussMaffei in Munich, Germany. Their task: to create a new look for the control panel of V-ZUG's new premium oven. As already customary in the automotive industry, the aim was to visually enhance the panel while at the same time making it more efficient to produce.

Leonhard Kurz wins Red Dot Award for excellent product design

Fuerth/Germany, 22/04/2020: A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) concept for an automotive display panel from Leonhard Kurz was awarded the 2020 Red Dot Award for good design. The HMI concept received the award in the product design competition and in the automotive category. The special feature of the HMI instrument panel is its almost one meter wide single-image design produced by means of the IMD (In-Mold decoration) process. The panel presents a detail-rich surface design into which touch and light functions have been embedded.

Complete process solutions for efficient and sustainable print finishing

Fuerth/Germany, 24/02/2020: Concentrating on the theme 'Making every product unique', Leonhard Kurz will present complete process solutions for print finishing at drupa 2020. The focus will be on new, efficient and process-optimized ways to create unique esthetics.

In the field of digital finishing, Kurz will present comprehensive system solutions for a wide range of applications and demonstrate the capabilities of its machine program for sheet and roll production. The exhibited products include the latest generation of the DM-Jetliner transfer unit with its new functionality. What's more, Steinemann DPE, the newest member of the Kurz family, will also be presented for the first time.

Electricity directly from an open-air solar photovoltaic system to the Leonhard Kurz plant

Sulzbach-Rosenberg/Hahnbach/Germany, 05/12/2019: In order to secure mid- and long-term competitiveness and jobs while, at the same time, significantly cutting carbon dioxide emissions, the Leonhard Kurz company plans to largely cover the energy needs of the plant in Sulzbach-Rosenberg with an open-air photovoltaic system. It is planned for the area of Hahnbach on an open space of 14.5 hectares, about 700 meters north of federal highway 14 on the von der Vogelloh to Süß road. During a walk-through, Kurz employees provided Mayor Bernhard Lindner and the local council with detailed information on the project.

Leonhard Kurz wins Red Dot Award for packing design

Fuerth/Germany, 04/11/2019: The fourth edition of the ‛Box in Box' packaging collection from Leonhard Kurz has been awarded a Red Dot Award for good design. The design box set won the coveted prize in the Packaging Design category of the Red Dot Award: Brands and Communication Design 2019. Over several days, the jury intensively assessed, discussed, and evaluated a total of 8, 697 international submissions to the competition before awarding prizes to the best. The award ceremony took place on the first of November at Designers' Night at ewerk, Berlin, where the designers of the award-winning Box in Box, Annie Kuschel and Julia König, received their certificate.

Leonhard Kurz at K 2019 with strong partners

Fuerth/Germany, 09/09/2019: Leonhard Kurz, together with its industry partners, will be presenting the latest developments in its decoration processes at the K 2019 plastics trade fair. At the trade fair booths of three injection molding machine manufacturers who provide the necessary high-performance machines and automation technology for these processes, there will be live demonstrations of rationalized and optimized processes for Kurz plastics decoration and sensor integration.

Kurz cold foil passes deinking test with distinction

Fuerth/Germany, 14 December 2017: INGEDE (the International Association of the Deinking Industry) has confirmed the flawless deinkability of a cold foil produced by Leonhard Kurz. The finishing foil, presented to the association by Kurz, passed the deinking test with a score of 100 out of 100 possible points. The deinking process led to a maximum removal of ink from the printing product, as well as upmost brightness. The best possible optical quality was achieved, which allows the deinked cardboard to be recycled without any problems.