PDF, 1.2 MB - Pfleiderer AG
PDF, 1.2 MB - Pfleiderer AG
PDF, 1.2 MB - Pfleiderer AG
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40 being focused: being better<br />
<strong>1.2</strong><br />
1.7<br />
02 01<br />
Research and development<br />
expenses, continued operations<br />
in million euros<br />
research and development<br />
<strong>Pfleiderer</strong> Group’s research and development activities concentrate mainly on the optimization<br />
of its introduced products, production processes and costs. The Group employed 96 quality<br />
managers, laboratory technicians, product designers and applications technicians in its Wood-<br />
Based Panels and Infrastructure Technology Business Centers in 2002. Group expenditure on<br />
research and development came to around <strong>1.2</strong> million euros in 2002 (2001: 1.7 million euros).<br />
Wood-Based Panels<br />
<strong>Pfleiderer</strong> employs 53 people in its Wood-Based Panels Business Center to manage recycled<br />
wood, optimize the value added chain, develop new surfaces and study thermohydrolysis.<br />
Surface treatment of boards and panels is playing an increasingly significant role because new<br />
decors and surfaces are constantly in demand by the kitchen furniture industry. As a result,<br />
<strong>Pfleiderer</strong> is constantly expanding its product portfolio. This involves developing and testing<br />
new surfaces such as fine aluminum metallic surfaces, hologram three-dimension effects, or<br />
non-slip surfaces – all important in terms of product characteristics and surface resistance.<br />
Currently, development of Bio-MDF based on adhesives using a purely enzyme process<br />
is under way. This involves replacing conventional synthetic resin adhesives using carbamide<br />
and formaldehyde with a biological adhesive process. Here, too, high technical standards for<br />
product characteristics must be met with regard to color, stability, resistance to moisture and<br />
so on. Thermo-hydrolytic breakdown for the recycling of used woods is another development<br />
still at the trial stage. Breaking downing and separating old particleboard into its component<br />
chips and chemicals would make particleboard even more attractive as an environmentally<br />
friendly product.<br />
Infrastructure Technology<br />
Due to the high technological demands placed on its products, the Infrastructure Technology<br />
Business Center is the most intensive area of research within the <strong>Pfleiderer</strong> Group. The products<br />
in its business units are protected by 72 patents and trademarks, as well as 136 applications<br />
pending for patents.<br />
In the Rail Traffic Business Unit, research and development work is concentrating on<br />
concrete and asphalt solid track systems for high-speed rail links. Continuous improvements<br />
made to high-speed trains mean that developments in rail track must keep pace, particularly<br />
with regard to substructures. <strong>Pfleiderer</strong> is involved in essential development work in this<br />
field, the results of which are being applied throughout Europe. A further area of significant<br />
development is that of “green track” for streetcar tracks. Not only does this help reduce noise<br />
levels, it is also an increasingly important element in town planning.
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