Here we have collected the most frequently asked questions about kraftplex here. If you have any further questions or ideas, please feel free to contact us at any time by mail at info@kraftplex.com or call us at +49 511 874 595 63.
General Informations
kraftplex consists of 100% unbleached cellulose fibers. These are obtained from wood from sustainable, FSC-certified tree stands. The lignin, a natural binding agent in wood, is removed from the wood in the process.
Unfortunately, fibers from waste paper cannot be added during the production of the boards for reasons of stability and shape retention.
The cellulose fibers are pressed into boards using thermal energy. This process interlocks the fibers to such an extent that all adhesives and chemical additives can be dispensed with.
kraftplex is manufactured in Switzerland and southern Germany.
The raw materials come from sustainably managed Scandinavian softwood forests (FSC certified).
The classic kraftplex ST is available in thicknesses of 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm. Special designs in 2.0mm and 4.00mm are also available on request. The abbreviation ST stands for “stiff” or “rigid”. This type of kraftplex has a higher density, is hot-pressed and comes as a solid sheet format.
We offer kraftplex FO in a thickness of 2.0 mm. The abbreviation FO stands for “formable”. This kraftplex type is somewhat more flexible than kraftplex ST, but not as pliable as kraftplex CL. The surface has a very fine structure, but many customers refer to it as the “smooth kraftplex”. In fact, it is smoother than kraftplex ST, which has more of a matte surface.
Our kraftplex CL is available in a thickness of 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm. The C in the abbreviation CL stands for “curve”. This type of kraftplex is the most flexible and features a smooth calendered surface.
The kraftplex ST has two standard formats: 56x34cm and 80x50cm. Sometimes we have the format 60x30cm in stock as well.
Special formats are also possible for larger purchase quantities from 100sqm. For transport and production reasons, the formats 315x160cm / 210x160cm / 210×106,5cm / 140×106,5cm are particularly suitable.
The kraftplex FO is available in the store in the format 40×30 cm.
The kraftplex CL is available in the store in the format 40x30cm in 0.5mm thickness and also in 56x34cm in 0.8mm thickness.
kraftplex FO and kraftplex CL can also be ordered in individual cuts for smaller quantities. The maximum panel size is 131×100 cm. The price per sheet decreases with increasing order quantities.
Other dimensions are also available from overproduction. These can be found in the store under the section Remainders.
kraftplex ST has a light sieve structure, a rather matt surface and a natural beige color.
kraftplex FO has an almost smooth surface with a very fine sieve structure. The color is natural beige.
The kraftplex CL has a smooth, slightly calendered surface and the color shade is natural beige.
Just like wellboard, kraftplex consists of 100% unbleached cellulose fibers – a renewable, sustainable raw material.
The fibers are obtained from woods from sustainable, FSC-certified tree stands in Scandinavia.
Thus, our materials are vegan, natural products. No allergens, no unpleasant or toxic vapors.
kraftplex is easy on your laser cutter’s filtration system, as there is less buildup than materials containing adhesives, such as MDF.
The raw materials come from Scandinavia. They are processed in Germany and Switzerland. Thus, we produce on the European continent with short transport distances.
Thus we save significantly CO2. Despite its strength, it is relatively light and therefore also protects the environment in terms of its transport weight.
The people who produce kraftplex receive decent wages and fair working conditions.
The absence of chemicals allows a particularly water-saving production method. The water used comes from a lake. Since it only comes into contact with cellulose, it can be filtered and recycled afterwards.
The electricity for our production also comes from hydroelectric power plants, so kraftplex and wellboard are produced with green energy.
Kraftplex and wellboard are 100% biodegradable. The material can be put on the compost or in the waste paper. Other materials such as plywood or MDF contain so much glue and chemicals that they must not be disposed of with household waste.
Depending on the application, kraftplex can replace a whole range of other materials – from heavily treated woods like MDF and plywood to metals and plastics. Kraftplex and wellboard are sustainable and future-proof alternative materials.
Application possibilities
The possible applications in the field of product design are very diverse.
For example, kraftplex can be used to design decorative objects and works of art, office supplies, furnishings, furniture, lamps, gifts and event materials.
In the fashion sector, kraftplex is particularly suitable as a sustainable reinforcement material for handbags or for pendants and jewelry.
The material is often used for housings and boxes due to its stability and insulating properties.
With its certification according to DIN EN 73-1, it has been classified as harmless for the manufacture of children’s toys and finds another area of application here. Sustainable card and board games, puzzles, 3-D models and doll furniture are already made with kraftplex.
In our portfolio and on our channels on Instagram and Facebook, many successful examples from the design sector are gathered.
kraftplex is a sustainable material of the future and therefore cooperation with schools and universities is particularly close to our hearts. Special conditions for educational institutions are therefore possible. We always look forward to hearing about new project ideas. A short e-mail to info@kraftplex.com is all it takes for us to get to know each other.
FabLabs are open workshops designed to make special tools and the associated know-how accessible to everyone. Many FabLabs have laser cutters, saws or milling machines.
Therefore, they are the perfect place to tinker with kraftplex even if you don’t (yet) have your own workshop or simply want to network with other creative people. You can find a FabLab near you on the website by the organization Offene Werkstätten in the workshop search section.
kraftplex is being discovered by more and more modelers. We receive a lot of enthusiastic feedback from our customers in this area. Particularly filigree cutouts of less than 1 mm can be easily made with kraftplex.
In railroad model making, kraftplex is suitable for both vehicle models and building models. It has proven to be much more resistant to warping and breakage than classic cardboard and is excellent for laser cutting.
Architectural models and 3D objects can also be produced precisely because, unlike many plywoods, kraftplex lies flat on the laser plate and does not need to be fixed. With the correct settings, there are no to few traces of smoke. A light sugar film on the edge can be removed with a damp cleaning cloth. This eliminates the need to grind away the laser edges, which makes exact construction much easier.
For tips on model making with kraftplex, see the interview with model making expert Jürgen Hans. We show application examples in our portfolio and on our channels on Instagram and Facebook.
For many trade show, event and wedding designers, kraftplex has become an indispensable basic material for creative event materials. Thanks to its natural look, it blends wonderfully into a wide variety of designs.
kraftplex has already been used to create beautiful table decorations, place cards, invitation cards, signs, caketoppers, pendants, give-aways, business cards, stencils and accessories for photo boxes.
Although many of these materials are kept as keepsakes, kraftplex is equally suitable for short-term use due to its sustainable properties. The material is completely biodegradable and compostable.
For inspiration, check out our Instagram channel, Facebook page and our kraftplex portfolio. We look forward to hearing about your event plans. Feel free to send us an email at info@kraftplex.com and share your ideas with us.
kraftplex can also be used in the context of series production. Many customers use kraftplex as part of industrial production.
Individual formats are usually possible. The prices for kraftplex and wellboard are staggered according to the quantity purchased. We will be happy to discuss delivery times, format options and conditions with you.
You can contact us at any time via info@kraftplex.com or +49-511-874 595 63. We look forward to exchanging ideas with you.
Processing
Kraftplex is in equilibrium with the humidity of the surrounding air. kraftplex changes its dimensions when moisture is absorbed and released.
We recommend that kraftplex be stored in a dry, horizontal position and possibly weighted down.
The dimensions of kraftplex may change during acclimatization on site.
kraftplex boards are not rectangular.
kraftplex should be moved and unpacked in the room intended for use approximately 2 days before installation.
This will cause kraftplex to assume equilibrium humidity and it will then hardly change during installation.
Ideally, the humidity should be as stable as possible at a value between 40 and 60%.
kraftplex ST can be sawn, milled and laser cut.
For circular or panel saws, trapezoidal saw blades up to 450 mm diameter are suitable. The ideal cutting speed is between 3300 and 3900 m/min. The saw blade should protrude a maximum of 5 mm above the table surface. The table insert is ideally made of hardwood.
For the band saw, the ideal cutting speed is between 1500 and 1800 m/min. The band saw blade has a thickness of 0.8 to 0.9 mm and a width between 20 and 25 mm and has 4 teeth per 1″.
If you want to process kraftplex with a jigsaw, it is possible to cut with wood and metal saw blades, but also with toothless special blades.
Some kraftplex types – especially kraftplex CL in o.5mm and kraftplex FO in 0.8 mm thickness – can also be cut with scissors.
Pneumatically or electrically driven scissors or knives are suitable. For kraftplex CL, normal household scissors are sufficient.
We have also seen successful applications with plotters, although preliminary tests are advisable in each case.
kraftplex is particularly frequently processed with the laser. Many of our customers are enthusiastic about how well kraftplex can be processed with the laser.
Due to the special stability of the material, even very fine, filigree structures of less than 1 millimeter can be lasered or engraved into the material. Where plywood or cardboard break or tear easily, kraftplex can be relied upon.
By laser cutting certain perforations, flexible “living edges” or bends can be applied to kraftplex. This allows templates for boxes or book bindings to be designed “from one mold”.
The cutting of individual panels is possible without restrictions. Cutting stacked kraftplex sheets, however, leads to increased burn marks when processed with lasers and is not recommended by us.
Make sure that the focus is set correctly. With higher material thickness and a device with lower power, it may make sense to cut in two passes.
If the focus is set correctly, there will be virtually no powder burn marks or burn edges. There is no need to sand by hand.
From time to time, slightly sticky edges may appear at the edges. This is simply sugar, some of which is still stored in the vegetable fibers. These edges can be wiped off with a simple damp cleaning cloth.
The amount of smoke generated during laser cutting is very low. By not using chemicals in the manufacturing process, no toxic fumes escape as with other materials. Especially the filters of your laser are enormously spared in relation to MDF&Co. and have to be renewed much less often.
kraftplex can be 3D formed by means of edging and embossing.
kraftplex can be edged by means of pressure. Metal edging benches as well as workbench edges can be used for this purpose.
It is advantageous to slightly moisten the areas to be bent. This makes it easier to bend the material and prevents cracks. The material should remain fixed until it is completely dry.
In addition, it can be helpful to heat the material in the area of the bend to 50-80 degrees with a hot air gun. Steam can also be used for this purpose.
To further stabilize the material or insert decorative elements, kraftplex can be embossed.
For this purpose, embossing dies from the print shop or, in the case of industrial applications, a rubber pad press are used.
For optimum results, the material can also be heated and slightly moistened.
kraftplex can be sanded in a similar way to wood. Belt and cylindrical sanders are suitable, whereby attention must be paid to the direction of insertion.
Orbital, belt, eccentric and disc sanders can also be used.
Brush sanding machines or sandpaper, sanding sponges or sanding fleece are suitable for surface sanding, e.g. after priming.
The usual wood adhesives can be used for bonding kraftplex. Good results have been achieved with contact adhesives and one- and two-component pure adhesives.
Pur-based assembly adhesives and also assembly foam can be used to assemble kraftplex.
For bonding to substrates in presses, good experience has been gained with two-component Pur adhesives.
Due to the moisture sensitivity of kraftplex, adhesives with low water content or non-aqueous adhesives are preferable. We recommend carrying out tests on sections or samples. We will be pleased to provide samples for bonding tests.
In principle, kraftplex can be coated with all coatings used for wood.
We recommend applying the products by spraying. For details on the application of the selected products, please refer to the manufacturers’ data sheets.
Water-based coatings should contain as high a proportion of filler as possible due to kraftplex’s sensitivity to moisture.
Caution: To avoid uneven moisture absorption after coating, kraftplex should always be coated on both sides. Moisture absorption at the edges is particularly rapid. Care should be taken to ensure that the edges are adequately coated. Preliminary tests are recommended.
The following surface treatment products, which are also used in wood preservation, are particularly suitable for sustainably coating and coloring kraftplex:
– Water-thinnable, layer-forming glazes and stains.
-Color oils and colorless oils on a natural basis, such as Color oil from PNZ.
-Waxes
-Lime paints
-Chalk paints
The following product categories have been used successfully and with good results in the industrial coating sector:
– One-component synthetic resin paints mainly for clear coating with different gloss levels.
– Combination coatings based on polyurethane and acrylic resins. These products have given the best results so far.
– Two-component polyurethane resin varnishes.
– Products for sealing floor coverings based on polyurethane and acrylic resins.
Many motifs have already been placed on kraftplex using direct plate printing. There are also successful products where kraftplex has been covered with foils or fabrics.
In outdoor applications, kraftplex reaches its limits. Due to its absorbency, the material can swell or warp. It can be protected against this with surface sealing. Short-term outdoor use is possible. For this purpose, the surface of the material should be sealed, e.g. with varnishes or oils.
Depending on the application, kraftplex can replace a whole range of other materials. In principle, kraftplex is particularly environmentally friendly. It is completely biodegradable and emission-free. Certified according to DIN EN 73-1, it has been classified as harmless for the manufacture of children’s toys.
In addition, unlike metals and plastics, it consists of renewable raw materials. Despite its strength, it is relatively light and therefore also protects the environment in terms of its transport weight.
Commercially available chemicals can be used to improve the fire behavior of kraftplex (B2). When applied in accordance with the regulations, a classification according to DIN 4102 B1 can be achieved with such products.
Guidelines for the application of such products can be found in the manufacturers’ data sheets. Care must be taken to ensure that the application is as homogeneous as possible and that it takes place before the material is installed.
After treatment, the kraftplex must be dried again and ideally weighted down to prevent warping of the material.
Shipping
Shipping within Germany usually takes 3-4 days. If you need express shipping, please send us a short mail to info@kraftplex.com and we will let you know how fast we can send your material.
For smaller quantities we ship by parcel service. Accordingly, the shipping costs are based on the prices of Deutsche Post.
Larger quantities we ship by freight forwarding. Therefore, the shipping costs on the website are guidelines. We are always trying to find the cheapest delivery option for you. Therefore, it may be that we can determine the final shipping costs only after the order.
This is especially true for international shipping by freight forwarding, as there are major differences from country to country.
Yes, we will be happy to send you a hand sample. The samples have the size 10x20cm. The easiest way to order the hand sample is through the store.