KPA Leipzig/Schkeuditz

MKV has its own laboratory for material analysis and offers its analytical capabilities as a service to other firms. Mechanical properties and DSC analysis are the most asked for services.

Make use of our extensive stock of materials. Over 150 different engineering plastics are available for your application.

Precise laser welding, also in combination with high-gloss surfaces

Lifocork biocomposite materials combine the sustainability, low weight and feel of natural cork with the processability of plastics. Lifocork is suitable for a wide range of applications, with new ideas being introduced every day. Its comfortable feel and non-slip texture make it a good choice for handles and grips, where it has been used in sports equipment, tools and household items. Lifocork has also been used to manufacture bowls, trays, boxes and plant pots and toys. In 2K applications, the material can be overmoulded or co-extruded onto TPE, PP or PE. This allows for sophisticated designs and enhances consumer appeal with the integration of a soft-touch area. Plates, belts, endless tapes and tech profiles can be manufactured from Lifocork via extrusion. You also get a damping effect for orthopaedic shoe lifts by foaming Lifocork. We offer coloured Lifocork compounds or it can be easily coloured using a standard PE masterbatch, opening up even more design possibilities.

Lifolit is a family of high-quality, soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds, custom formulated to your requirements. We’ve been developing PVC compounds since 1965 and continue to engineer new solutions to address current and emerging market demands. To address consumer concerns over the potential health and environmental risks of certain plasticizers used in the manufacture of PVC compounds, we have developed the Lifolit range to include several non phthalate alternatives. This helps our customers to comply with tightening regulations governing the use of phthalates. Particularly in the toy and childcare market, where non phthalate compounds have become the industry standard in response to directives such as EU 2005/84/EC. We work with a number of raw materials and plasticizers to give the best performance / cost ratio while always keeping in compliance with the different levels of phthalate use. This includes DEHP free PVC as well as grades that are considered low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

In this digital age, are physical reference samples still necessary? Given the reality of lengthy development processes and complex value chains, the answer is clear: yes, absolutely. Physical master samples remain indispensable! On the one hand, as a feasibility analysis for implementing the OEM color request in polymer, and on the other hand, as a defined color concept and reference for the color and gloss level of various plastic parts at the supplier. They enable a precise and consistent assessment of components across all stages of the production chain, regardless of screen displays, lighting conditions, or subjective impressions. OEMs and ODMs in particular, who value high color precision, use these haptic reference samples, which are made available to the parts manufacturer. This is done in order to adjust the colors of various plastic components and match them in color matching – primarily in the mobility sector, such as automotive engineering, aviation, rail, and shipbuilding. But there are also OEM structures in medical technology and in the electrical and household appliance sectors that need to ensure design consistency. This is not only a matter for the suppliers or parts manufacturers themselves, but also for the companies that have a decisive influence on color design and material selection, are responsible for them, and guarantee them across all instances. The GRAFE Group, based in Blankenhain, has been an established partner for OEMs and their design departments for two decades. The masterbatch and compound specialist supports customers from the initial color idea to the finished reference sample. What began as a service for the automotive sector has now grown into a comprehensive range of individual services that, in addition to the actual production of master samples, covers in-depth consulting on all aspects of color development—whether it be the choice of gloss level, grain, or the selection of suitable carrier materials and packaging.

Interior grades with optimized emissions - exterior grades with UV-resistance - OEM releases available

easy flowing materials for the encapsulation of electronic parts - thermal conductivity with or without simultaneous electric isolation - halogen-free, flame retardant materials - TPE with high electric conductivity