Krefeld The Laufenberg family business, based in Hüls, produces versatile release papers and films. The heart of the company is the ultra-modern machine plant on the approximately 38,000 square meter site.
Probably almost everyone has used a Laufenberg product without knowing it. As one of the leading suppliers to the adhesive tape industry, the family-owned company based at Krüserstraße 2 in Krefeld-Hüls produces versatile release papers and films that are used in many different areas – whether as a cover for plasters, for the production of lightweight carbon components for aircraft parts or as cover paper for double-sided adhesive tapes. “Top quality is very important to us. We deliver from Hüls to our customers worldwide, who mainly use our products for further processing,” explains authorized signatory Stephanie Soding.
As a specialist for silicone-coated papers and films, Laufenberg GmbH has continuously expanded in recent years in order to meet the increasing demand on the international market. More than 230 employees now work on the approximately 38,000 square meter site, including several trainees, both in the commercial area and in the future-oriented production technology. The company’s annual turnover is around 75 million euros.
Laufenberg stands for solutions based on silicone-coated films and papers as well as specialty products. More than 230 employees work on production and further development. Laufenberg GmbH was founded in 1947 as a family business for the production of roofing felt.
Bernhard Laufenberg was still a long way from these figures when he founded the company in 1947. At the beginning, he was still producing corrugated cardboard and wax paper in Straelen. Seven years later, the company moved to Hüls. Shortly afterwards, the company specialized in the production of siliconized release liners, which have become indispensable in many industries.
At the beginning of the 1990s, three employees took over the company from the company founder. The Soding family has now been the sole shareholder for almost five years. Managing Director Jörg Soding has a wide range of responsibilities and is driving the expansion of the market position, growth and further development of the company. His wife Stephanie is an authorized signatory on the management board and heads the HR department.
In Hüls, a state-of-the-art plant with the highest level of machinery has been built step by step.
The heart of the company is the ultra-modern machine plant where the high-quality release papers and films are produced. The four huge, more than 70-meter-long coating systems are impressive. The paper or film roll used weighs more than two tons and runs over various rollers at up to 400 meters per minute. After coating on one side, it is controlled by huge dryers. If a double-sided coating is desired, the roll is then turned over and about two grams of silicone per square meter of paper is applied to the reverse side.
More than 230 employees work on the approximately 38,000 square meter site.
“The operation of these systems is quite complex. As a rule, for example, one side of the coating has to come off a little more easily than the other,” explains Stephanie Soding. Depending on the paper and film thickness, the running speed and dryer temperature also had to be modified. At the end of the manufacturing process, the products are transported by truck to a central warehouse, from where they are shipped all over the world.
Photos: Lammertz, Thomas (lamm)
