European Product Design Award: LEONHARD KURZ recognized for sustainable Wallbox design concept

Fürth/Germany, March 5, 2024: The sustainable Wallbox concept from LEONHARD KURZ received an ‘Honorable Mention’ at the European Product Design Award (EPDA) 2023. The innovative e-dispenser, which celebrated its premiere at K 2022, impressed the expert jury of the renowned design award in the ‘Automotive & Transport/Cars: Electric’ category. The European Product Design Award recognizes holistically thought-out and attractive products from all over the world that improve our daily lives. “We are proud to be among the award winners with our Wallbox concept and to show that good design, smart functionality, and sustainability can come together in one product. The award underlines our focus on pioneering innovations and forward-looking solutions,” emphasizes Martin Hahn, Head of Application, Technology & Innovation of the Plastic Decoration business area at KURZ.

Various design options

Electromobility has become an integral part of the automotive industry and offers numerous opportunities to redefine design. The e-fuel pump is an elementary interface for charging electrically powered cars. As an expert in decorative and functional surfaces, KURZ takes this approach and enhances an everyday object with design elements and innovative techniques. In the future, a Wallbox will not only be a purely functional element but rather inspire with its visual highlights.

“With our concept, we are already demonstrating how targeted accents can be set with the help of environmentally friendly metallization, Shy Tech, day-night designs, and partial backlighting,” explains Martin Hahn and adds: “We demonstrated the various options in 2023 particularly clearly at IAA Mobility and at FAKUMA. A comprehensive augmented reality application was used here, in which the diverse design options and applicable process technologies were brought to life.”

Efficient production with sustainable added value

Pioneering production technologies from KURZ ensure that production and decoration can be implemented in a single work step, which contributes to saving energy and raw materials. Using In-Mold Decoration (IMD), the heart of the component - the backlit instrument center bezel - is sustainably produced from our project partner Covestro’s carbon-neutral material, and individually decorated. Using Functional Foil Bonding (FFB) or In-Mold Electronics (IME), wafer-thin touch sensors from KURZ subsidiary PolyIC are integrated with particular precision and adhesion, breathing life into the panel and offering unlimited freedom in terms of decoration. Further customization of the surface design is possible via advanced laser technology. On request, the surface can also be provided with an antibacterial, antiviral BIOFENSE^® protective layer. The entire production can be implemented with a fully electric spraying machine that is perfectly matched to the IMD application and enables especially energy-efficient production and finishing of the wallbox. Thanks to the materials and production technologies used, the wallbox is weather-resistant, recyclable, and sustainable. Further information can be found here on the KURZ website.

Renowned design competition

The European Product Design Award recognizes talented international product and industrial designers who simplify everyday life with their well-thought-out designs. Prizes are awarded in almost 1,000 categories. A renowned jury consisting of luminaries from the design industry evaluate the designs according to criteria such as innovation, aesthetics, functionality, durability, and customer benefits - and an emotional ecological component is also taken into account. In doing so, the EPDA wants to highlight the importance of smart and sustainable design in society and the economy.