SPE Award 2025: Yanfeng wins first prize – supported by puroclear®

Just two days before the K trade fair, the secret surrounding this year's SPE Automotive Awards was lifted. The focus is on sustainable and innovative plastic components for vehicle construction, and it is not without reason that the awards are highly regarded.

We are delighted for our customer Yanfeng on winning the Automotive Award - Parts & Components 2025, First Prize in the category Electronical / Optical Part, Light and Functional Decorative Parts.

The award was given for the light and functional decorative parts with a 3D effect and translucent matte chrome finish, which are used in the current BMW X3 for ambient lighting in the cockpit and door trim. The components are coated with a self-healing surface made from our puroclear®, which ensures both refinement and protection. This means that clear coat can be completely eliminated from the production process, which is good for the environment in terms of emissions and also good for cost-effectiveness, as the coating is applied directly in the injection mold. Production takes place in a highly automated, emission-free 3K process (highly transparent PC for the depth effect, PC/ABS for the structure, and PU for the surface). In addition, a translucent film is applied using the in-mold labeling (IML) process.

You can see these impressive components for yourself in the door side trim of the BMW X3 at our booth at the K trade fair in Düsseldorf. You will find us in Hall 7a, Booth C25.


 

Our highlights at the K trade fair in Düsseldorf:
puroclear® Coatings for PU Overmolding – The Key to Long-Lasting Performance, Sustainability, and Efficiency

PU overmolding technology (also known as ColorForm, clearmelt, Direct Coating or In-Mould Coating Technology) - used for direct coating of injection-molded thermoplastic substrates - continues to gain momentum across a wide range of applications. While polyurethane (PU) coatings for interior parts have been well-established for many years, Rühl has revolutionized this surface finish since the mid-2010s with its innovative puroclear® products. Featuring a unique self-releasing solution, puroclear® enables high-gloss finishes directly out of the mold, improving production efficiency. Additionally, a built-in self-healing effect enhances durability for everyday use. These award-winning features are setting a new standard for advanced surfaces in injection molding.

As a pioneer of this technology, Rühl is now the market leader with puroclear® PU coatings, serving a growing range of applications. Automotive interiors remain a key driver: multiple light- and function-integrated parts have reached series production, including the impressive interaction bars for BMW 7, 5, and X3 series, the latter produced in China and shown at our exhibition stand. The technology has now expanded to exterior applications, with sophisticated front panels like the light-integrated electric Mercedes G-Class demonstrating the potential for high-quality, durable surfaces outside the cabin.

While transparent puroclear® coatings dominated early development over the last years, colored PU coatings are increasingly in demand. Together with our color partner ISL Chemie – experienced in both interior as well as the even more challenging exterior applications – we are addressing this trend. Black puroclear®, a highly sought-after contrast color for elements such as pillars or wheel arch covers, is already validated for automotive series production. Additional colors, including metallic effects, are actively being developed to meet market needs.

At K Fair, we will showcase our broad portfolio of PU systems alongside several puroclear® highlights. Be among the first to witness groundbreaking light-integrated parts like headlamp prototypes, unveiled by Kurz and its partners Schöfer, KraussMaffei, Sabic, and Covestro. Explore state-of-the-art developments in color, color matching and contrast color parts in collaboration with RESRG, ISL and KraussMaffei.

Join us to witness the future potential of PU overmolding technology, and be impressed by cutting-edge light effects and the latest puroclear® COLOR solutions!

Further information can be found at:
https://www.k-online.com

Seamless integration of light and design in a single component – protected by puroclear®

Stop at our partner Kurz's booth (Hall 5 / A19) to see how a complete component made of three different plastic components is molded, decorated, and coated with a transparent puroclear® polyurethane (PU) protective layer in less than two minutes. Then visit us at our booth to take a closer look at the component and learn more about it.

This novel concept enables new and individual design and configuration options in an innovative 3K injection molding process while maintaining maximum process efficiency: decoration, protection and functionality are achieved in a single step, eliminating previous production stages. This “FrontIQ Light Concept” can be seen live on a ColorForm machine from KraussMaffei at the Leonhard Kurz booth (Hall 5 / A19). The innovative 3K demonstration component, which is based on a headlight, was designed so that the integrated design film is back-injected with crystal-clear PC onto black PC/ABS using the in-mold labeling process. To protect the PC from damage caused by stone chips and scratches, crystal-clear polyurethane from our puroclear® family comes into play: directly in the mold, the component is flooded with puroclear® to provide reliable protection against external influences. Thanks in particular to its self-healing properties, puroclear® once again significantly increases the durability and resistance of surfaces. A perfect match of design and function.
(Picture source: KURZ)

Further information can be found at:
https://www.k-online.com

OCEAn - Overmolding Color and Expertise Alliance

OCEAn – Think globally, act locally, that is our mission to further establish the PU overmolding technology – also known as ColorForm, clearmelt, Direct Coating oder In-Mould Coating Technology, in the world market. This requires the presence of experts and best practice closely following the market. We serve this need by the recently founded Overmolding Color and Expertise Alliance – called OCEAn for short.

RÜHL PUROMER, ISL Chemie, Musashi Paint and GSI Creos stand for depth expertise in the area of polyurethane (PU) chemistry and molding as well as color and color matching paired with outstanding local customer support.

Let us be your local partner in the global market. Visit us at our booth at K fair in Düsseldorf:
Hall 7a, Booth C25-04

Further information can be found at:
https://www.k-online.com

K - The international trade fair for innovations in the plastics and rubber industry

K is considered the leading international trade fair in the plastics and rubber industry. Each time, the event attracts a large number of professionals from production, processing and related sectors such as mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, electronics, medical technology, the packaging industry and the construction industry from all over the world to find out about the latest innovations and make valuable contacts. A wide range of products and services in the fields of machinery, equipment, raw materials and measuring technology will be presented.

RÜHL PUROMER will also be there again in October and, as in previous years, will present itself in Hall 7a Booth No. C25-04 at the joint stand of the FSK (Fachverband für Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V.). As always, our technicians will be alternately on site to provide you with advice and assistance. Just come by, we are looking forward to seeing you!

Further information can be found at:
https://www.k-online.com

For more than 15 years, the established SKZ symposium “Folien und Fahrzeug / Plastic Films in Mobility” has been dedicated to design and technology trends in automotive interiors and exteriors. 

The motto of this year's event, which will take place on June 3 and 4, 2025 in Parsdorf near Munich, is: A joint departure against the crisis. Not only digitalization trends and electromobility, but also sustainability requirements require and enable new solutions.

Our colleagues will be on site on both days. You are welcome to visit us at our exhibition stand and take the opportunity for a personal exchange.
We look forward to seeing you! 

IMCcon - the InMould Coating Focus Days, organized by the Kunststoff Institut Lüdenscheid, will take place this year from 11-12 March 2025 at Neue Materialien Bayreuth. Renowned material, tool and system manufacturers as well as users of the technology will present themselves and examples of the extensive areas of application in the context of lectures and an accompanying exhibition. Get a practical insight during the live demonstration in the Neue Materialien Bayreuth technical center - with our puroclear® Coating System!

Come and visit us at our stand, we look forward to talking to you!

PIAE stands for "Plastics in Automotive Engineering" and is the most important leading congress for plastics in the automotive industry. For over 40 years, the congress in Mannheim has been shedding light on current plastics engineering applications and their use in the areas of interior, exterior, engine, materials and technologies.The carefully selected presentations by top-class automotive manufacturers are accompanied by representatives from the entire value chain in the exhibition.

We are also taking advantage of this framework and will be on site as an exhibitor. Come and visit our stand - we look forward to talking to you!