ContiTech Company to take Centerstage at IAA with Scratch Resistant Surface Materials

A ContiTech company is seeking to become the center of attraction at the upcoming IAA 2016 show with its new ultra-scratch-resistant surface materials for commercial vehicle interiors. Branded Xpreshn, this new range of products from Benecks-Kaliko which is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of surfaces for automotive interiors,  is highly scratch-resistant when compared to typical TPO products. Other products in this range that are likely to be of interest to visitors to the show include Decoject, which is positioned as an inexpensive and scratch-resistant alternative to painted injection-molded parts, and the Acella range of trim and upholstery materials which are distinctive for their outstanding wear properties.

The ultra-scratch-resistant Decoject thin foil is a low-cost alternative to soft-painted injection-molded parts.

When it comes to commercial vehicles, surface materials need to be strong enough to tolerate tough conditions daily operations, they need to be highly functional and at the same time they should significantly enhance driving comfort. The Xpreshn Protect surface material range from Benecke-Kaliko, consists of highly scratch-resistant surface materials which meet and exceed all these requirements, while ensuring there is no compromise when it comes to the looks or the texture. The materials are notable for their extreme elasticity. The Xreshn Protect range offers customers twice as much scratch resistance of the tried-and-tested Xpreshn and Xpreshn HD products. This not only contributes to customer satisfaction, but also minimizes wastage of material due to surface damage in the early stages of the vehicle production process. Xpreshn Protect can tolerate damage from sharp objects and ugly scratches will no longer be an issue for vehicle interiors as it can be used to cover all types of interiors including seat backs, cluster hoods, door panels, instrument panels and consoles.

The ultra-scratch-resistant Decoject meanwhile is being offered as an alternative to soft-painted injection molded parts and is available in a wide range of designs. As the foils are extremely thin, ranging in thickness from 0.2 to 0.5 mm, changing colors and the décor becomes extremely easy when it comes to the interiors. For an injection molded surface, if consumers desire to change the color, it is highly cumbersome as the molding line has to be completely emptied of one color and then refilled with material having the new color. Decojet simplifies the entire process as the ultra thin foil makes it possible to continuously produce the component with just one back injection material, even when entire surface design needs to be changed. There is less wastage of material and the process involves significantly less time and labor. The gloss level can be easily adjusted with the foil to match the interior. Decojet material can be mixed and matched in different combinations to get an endless range of decorative prints and effect coatings.

Another product range the company will be showcasing at IAA will be the Acella range of trim and upholstery materials that have already been used in millions of vehicles and are notable for their outstanding durability. They are available in a two-color design and are available in two lines, the inexpensive entry-level Acella Go and the premium Acella Protect, which boasts superior material tear strength even at extremely low temperatures and is therefore particularly suitable for interior areas that are likely to experience a high degree of wear.