How long did it take to develop KEMPERDUR LASI? From the initial idea to the finished product.

"The first idea was presented with a market analysis to the product working group in October 2014. The product was launched at the end of April this year."

Were there any hurdles or problems during development?

"A product does not develop by itself. It gets better and better the more experience the project team gains, and sometimes chance helps us find the right raw material.

For example, the special interspersion. Here we tested different bedding in the material and none of the raw materials could meet the requirements. We were aware that the load securing coating would be exposed to extremely high loads. We tested a wide variety of scattering agents with point loads in the coating and many commercially available scattering agents could not withstand our tests and the high demands. Then chance came to our rescue. At a classic car exhibition, I talked to specialists in bodywork technology. They use an extremely hard raw material that has a hardness grade of 9 on the Mohs scale. Diamond, known to be the hardest mineral, which is also used on drill heads, has a Mohs hardness of 10. Further tests with research and development followed. Sample surfaces were laid out, the abrasion closely observed and documented. The result was sensational and we had exactly the raw material that met the requirements for an extremely durable load securing coating."

What is special about KEMPERDUR LASI and sets it apart from conventional safety measures?

"It increases the coefficient of friction of a loading surface by almost three times. This enables a freight forwarder or his customer, the shipper, to dispense with the time-consuming use of many tension belts. This saves an extremely large amount of time for the driver and the loader.

It is a future-oriented product because it can also be used, for example, by the manufacturing industry and here especially for autonomous transport solutions within plant supply. With the KEMPERDUR LASI coating, no attachment slips off the loading surface with a coefficient of friction of 0.89 µD.

It protects employees from injury because anti-slip mats placed underneath by hand are no longer necessary."

Which component of KEMPERDUR LASI was particularly complex to develop?

"The liquid components. Here we spent a long time looking for the right raw materials. It had to be a product that was easy to process, could be used quickly and met today's modern requirements for a sensitive environment. Full commitment, creativity and our ability to communicate within the company led to developing the right product here."

How did the idea to develop a liquid load-securing coating come about?

"For many years, we have been specialists in developing coating systems based on liquid plastics. Slip resistance has also always been an issue on industrial floors or in commercial kitchens. Since, in addition to my work as a product manager, I was also a hazardous goods officer, a load securing specialist and worked for years as a shipping manager, the idea was obvious."

How did the collaboration with DB Schenker come about?

"DB Schenker applied to be the in-house freight forwarder here at our company and scored with excellent results. DB Schenker operates worldwide and has its own innovation department. We used our long-standing contacts to test several sample areas together with DB Schenker over a longer period of time. DB Schenker published the results and experiences with our KEMPERDUR LASI coating internationally via print media and online. DB Schenker is enthusiastic about our KEMPERDUR LASI coating, presents it at international logistics congresses and has been an ardent supporter from the very beginning. We are currently preparing further, joint projects, which we will be happy to report on in the future."

What else is there worth knowing about KEMPERDUR LASI?

"We provide lots of useful information about the product for our customers online. Take advantage of the processing films, watch exciting footage of braking and cornering, which impressively demonstrate the effective power of the KEMPERDUR LASI coating. Check the calculation examples for the use of tension belts. Read interesting information about the de minimis promotion up to 80% of anti-slip coatings of the BAG.  Find out about regular inspections of the loading area and important tips on inspections by the authorities."

Bianka Theis