Focus on Kleiberit’s new technology
At Toray Films Europe, the customer experience of our clients is a big concern. We always do our best to ensure the best experience and we always love to hear your experience.
We had the chance to meet Jens Fandrey from Kleiberit in order to know about the new development they are working on, and to discover how they were using the Lumirror® 41.31.
Toray : Can you introduce Kleiberit to our readers? What kind of products do you manufacture?
Jens Fandrey : Kleiberit is a family owned business, started in 1948. Today we are counting 600 employees worldwide and we are exporting 80% of our total production. Kleiberit is an adhesive and coating company specialized in the woodworking industry. Adhesive for woodworking has always been one of our main business. The portfolio and the product range of Kleiberit is everything that you can get in the adhesive industry. From water-based or solvent-based adhesives, dispersion, pressure sensitive, and a lot more.
Our products are used for many different applications: furniture and woodworking, automotive or filter industry, textile or even book binding.
At Kleiberit, our motto is “Competence PUR”. It is a reference to our focus on Polyurethane technology.
15 years ago, we started working with coatings as well.
We developed, with the PURHM (Polyurethane hotmelt) technology, a coating system which is called HotCoating®. The PUR is used as a coating and not as an adhesive. We combine the HotCoating® with UV curing lacquers.
Toray : Can you talk to us about the new development you are working on?
J.F. : KLEIBERIT HotCoating® is an innovative surface coating technology, applying a reactive PUR hot mass as an alternate to typical lacquering. HotCoating® is melted by a pre-melter systems and applied by heated roller systems or slot nozzles. The innovation and advantages of this technology are in the process technology and the characteristics of this coating. Kleiberit is an expert in this technology where the process is simpler and less equipment is needed.
The HotCoating® were first used for flooring. Our next step was to focus on the upgrading of MDF board with hot coating to HighGloss or Supermatte. Our HotCoating® is very durable but also flexible and is extremely resistant. As I said, our technology is used for flooring, but also for furniture, melamine MDF board, HPL etc…
At Ligna trade show in 2019, we introduced the ICC (Inert Calander Coating) technology for roll-to-roll. This is one of the main wood working exhibitions. People there were very interested to know about our new development. We expect a lot of feedbacks and follow-ups concerning the gloss option of this technology. This was really something new.
Toray : What is the value of Toray’s film on this new development?
J.F. : We use Toray’s 41.31 film as a process foil for smoothing and curing. Thanks to the transfer capacity of the film, we put it on top of the lacquer in order to give the surface of the products a matte or a gloss aspect. Toray’s films give a great and clean finish. We have chosen to work with Toray because of the good release and the great quality of the films… and there is also an economical parameter. Personally, I have worked with Toray for 2 years, we have a good partnership.
Kleiberit uses the PET Lumirror® 41.31 film.
Here are the benefits of this film:
- High transparency (visible and UV)
- Ink adhesion (conductive, solvent-based and UV inks)
- Smooth side
- Good machinability