LAUNCH OF NEW SURFACE REFINEMENTS

Matt surfaces are no longer just a trend – they have been the absolute standard in the furniture industry for years, available in a wide variety of styles. The demand has levelled at a very high rate. High-gloss finishes are certainly experiencing a renaissance in some areas. But it seems unlikely that we will see a complete return to glossy surfaces in medium term.

Why is that? Matt is more versatile. Matt stands for understatement. Matt is pure naturalness. That is exactly what customers want. Furniture that looks like real wood or stone and stands up to it in terms of quality. For such a perfect reproduction, you need a high-quality printed wood or stone decor in combination with a matching press plate and a matt finish on the surface. That is probably the USP and the reason for the continuous demand: the desire to brings nature into home.

Every surface manufacturer offers custom solutions. In some cases, a manufacturer may produce two or even more different versions. For MKT, as an open-market, globally active edgebanding manufacturer, the challenge of always offering the right finish is therefore considerable. We currently produce two very different surface solutions, each with its own unique features and advantages.

ALPHA-TAPE® EXCELLENT MATT

Our trusted and most excellent surface refinement, which has been successfully distributed for more than 15 years. A premium product with a gloss level of only three units and a completely plane surface that creates a soft and pleasant haptic experience. Excellent Matt (EM) impresses with exceptionally high scratch and abrasion resistance and ensures improved resistance to external influences, while users also benefit from reduced sensitivity to fingerprints. This surface refinement is not suitable for edges with embossing.

ALPHA-TAPE® SOFT MATT

Our popular matt finish, with its exceptionally low gloss level, stands out for its natural feel, pleasant texture and anti-fingerprint effect. It is suitable for all MKT embossings and harmonises particularly well with matt wood-, stone- or other lightly textured designs that have a slightly rough surface texture. The combination of our printing and coating processes creates a veneer-like edgeband. Thanks to its cost-effective production, it is particularly appreciated in the price-sensitive furniture sector — such as for living room, bedroom and flat-pack furniture. Soft Matt (SM) offers a better value for money, although the surface quality is slightly below of the Excellent Matt finish.

The price difference between SM and EM for 1 mm ABS is approximately 45%, which is a significant difference. Considering the current global market situation, this is an important decision-making factor. Both finishes have their advantages as well as their limitations. In order to continue the needs of our customers, we have been working specifically on an innovation in the matt finish segment over the past few months and we are now pleased to present the result — ALPHA-TAPE® PERFECT MATT.

ALPHA-TAPE® PERFECT MATT

ALPHA-TAPE® PERFECT MATT (PM) combines the strengths of our two matt finishes and also has a gloss level of just three units. This new refinement is based on the very smooth, plane surface of Excellent Matt with a soft, pleasant feel, while offering a cost advantage like Soft Matt. The price of ALPHA-TAPE® PERFECT MATT falls between SM and EM. In terms of quality and performance, this finish is just as good as Soft Matt: excellent durability and lightfastness, combined with improved scratch resistance and an almost perfectly smooth surface — all that at an attractive price. ALPHA-TAPE® PERFECT MATT therefore offers exactly the right solution for all customers who previously had to make compromises.

ALPHA-TAPE® EXCELLENT MATT TOUCH

Based on the proven qualities of Excellent Matt, we combine a lightly textured lacquer surface that lets you feel parts of the decor. This creates a natural 3D effect that especially makes calm, elegant and dark stone and material reproductions look particularly authentic. ALPHA-TAPE® EXCELLENT MATT TOUCH (EMT) is characterized by the interplay of a super-matt surface and partial effects. These give the edge a high-quality appearance with incredible expressiveness, as well as a consistent look without distracting light reflections. The anti-fingerprint function also reduces visible signs of wear and makes it easier to clean in daily use. At same time, our Excellent Matt Touch edges impress with their high resistance to scratches, impacts and abrasion — perfect for high-stress applications in furniture and interior design.

HK MAGAZINE EDITION 3/26

Further insights on this topic can also be found in the latest issue of the HK magazine (edition 3/26). Under the title “MKT: On the road to success with expertise and innovation!”, the magazine features a story about our company, current industry developments, as well as investments, trends and new products. Click here to read the full article.