Kiefel GmbH opens a new technology and materials centre at its headquarters in Freilassing, thereby investing more in its own research activities in relation to sustainable packaging solutions with a focus on natural fibres.
The company for plastic thermoforming and joining technology opened up this additional business area of „fibre thermoforming“ internationally last year. In future, the centre will be responsible for Material research and testing, but also for sample production and machine demonstrations serve.
„With the Packaging Technology Center and the associated Material R&D Center, we are deepening our material expertise and can support our customers even more closely in the development process relating to fibre material, product and machine. We are thus consolidating our role as a holistic solution provider.“ Matthias Hausmann, Head of Central Development
Natural fibre research for sustainable packaging solutions
Through the investment Boots develop and utilise even more sustainable technologies, processes and materials. The Material R&D Centre is the starting point for product developments for customers. Here researched, analysed and categorised various natural fibres and designed coating concepts for packaging made from natural fibres. These are then tested on test systems and optimised for the processing procedure.
The Material R&D Centre is an addition to Kiefel's Applied Polymer Research Centre in the Netherlands, where the Focus on materials research into recycled and bio-based plastics is located. In the Packaging Technology Centre in Freilassing, Kiefel will be demonstrating its broad machine portfolio for the production of fibre packaging to its customers: The Natureprep KFP series for the qualitative stock preparation of natural fibre pulp and the Natureformer KFT series machines, on which a wide variety of fibre products, e.g. trays, cups, technological outer packaging or coffee capsules can be produced.
An exhibition area on the subject of sustainability is also integrated into the Packaging Technology Centre. Cornelia Frank, Head of Sustainability at Kiefel emphasises: „We have already been involved in various initiatives for a number of years, for example to help improve the recyclability of plastics. As a machine manufacturer, we want to actively take responsibility in order to be the leading solution provider for the circular economy. Development and implementation of the most sustainable technology to become.“
With the „Rethinking Concept“, this claim has long been anchored in the company's DNA. The aim of the concept is to rethink materials, machines, processes and products so that the ideal, most sustainable design is ultimately achieved for customers. This is the case, for example, when the end product is well utilised in the circular economy or can be biodegraded. In addition to this, Kiefel has now set itself targets in order to be able to identify sustainability potential holistically and utilise it efficiently.
SourceBoots
