Continental’s group sector ContiTech has commissioned a new gravure printing machine for surfaces used in the furniture industry as well as for building elements. The new system, which required an investment of around 5 million euros, is located at the Weissbach (Germany) plant, which specializes in the so-called LivTec segment.
Once it has reached full capacity, the new printing machine is expected to produce more than 75,000 square meters of surface film per day. It replaces two older machines that will no longer be able to guarantee the required reliability and capacity in the medium term and will therefore be taken out of operation.
Printed films from Weissbach shape the appearance of fitted kitchens, front doors or furniture with designs such as wood or stone finishes. The first print runs on the new machine produced self-adhesive d‑c‑fix films, surfaces for DIY enthusiasts who want to customize furniture themselves.
Despite challenging economic conditions, ContiTech expects demand for surface materials to grow over the long term, driven by window and façade manufacturers. For this reason, ContiTech is investing across the entire surface manufacturing value chain.
“The development of demand for our films for window frames, doors or façade elements is very encouraging. For many years we have grown faster than the market, and even the recent downturn in new construction has not stopped us,” said Rainer Irouschek, Head of Exterior Living within the business segment SSL LivTec. “This very robust development has prompted us to consistently continue along our path of modernization and capacity expansion.”
Once the new printing machine is operating at full load, the responsible experts will turn their attention to the procurement and installation of an additional new slitting machine, which is scheduled to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2027. The capacity expansion is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2027 with the installation of an additional embossing machine. A new calender line was already installed in Weissbach in 2022. A film calender forms a heated, colored plastic compound into a uniform film web via several precisely adjusted, heated rollers.