Vision

The history of innovation doesn’t stop now, not even on the 50th anniversary. REHAU is improving RAUKANTEX with a focus on sustainability. But new surface finishes, special applications and digitalisation are also being driven forward.

RAUKANTEX eco.protect: lived sustainability

Taking responsibility for the future of the next generations is a key part of REHAU's DNA. Sustainability is therefore an integral component of the corporate strategy – and RAUKANTEX is no exception. Our commitment starts with our employees and extends to raw materials, packaging, products, production and energy management. Taking a holistic view, REHAU is pursuing a clear goal: to continuously increase the use of recycled materials and to reduce CO₂ emissions.

We naturally understand edgebands

The two sustainable product lines, RAUKANTEX eco* and RAUKANTEX evo*, actively promote the reduction of CO₂ emissions and increased use of recycled materials. RAUKANTEX basic edge supports resource-savings lightweight construction. For our RAUKANTEX pro product line, we opt for the more ecologically compatible polypropylene polymer, which is free from adhesives.

Find out more about RAUKANTEX eco.protect

The evolution of the edgeband

The story of the edgeband is a story of progress. RAUKANTEX has taken great evolutionary strides, and not just in terms of its look and ease of processing – the edgeband is now also available with various special functions. For example, with particularly high scratch resistance or fire resistance.

The new matt: RAUKANTEX scratch.protect

RAUKANTEX scratch.protect brings a new level of quality to surface finishing. In addition to its matt appearance, the furniture edgeband is characterised above all by its soft-touch feel and high scratch resistance, ranging from 3 to 12 gloss level points.

Anti-fingerprint effect
Soft-Touch-Feeling
High scratch resistance
Anti-sheen effect: prevents shine at a flat viewing angle
Easy care

When safety is required: RAUKANTEX FP

Fire protection is the be-all and end-all in building construction, as well as for local and long-distance transport. Smoke development of the materials used in interiors is particularly crucial in an emergency situation. Strict legal requirements for passive fire protection therefore apply here as well. RAUKANTEX FP from the fire.protect product family provides self-extinguishing edgebands with halogen-free flame retardants for wall linings and furniture which meet the crucial European fire protection requirements and, at the same time, do not limit the design.

Whether it’s an exhibition hall, hotel, kindergarten, school, hospital or local and long-distance transport: in all of these places, safety is paramount. People need to be as protected as possible and—in the event of a fire breaking out—be exposed to only the smallest possible quantities of smoke and toxic gases. People must be able to evacuate buildings or coaches without losing their way. Equally, it is important that the effect of the fire is not enhanced by the materials. RAUKANTEX FP are halogen-free, flame-retardant edgebands. Their fire behaviour is certified according to the applicable standards EN 13501-1* and EN 45545-2 and can therefore be used in these areas.

^{_{*For composite testing with a specific combination of edgeband, board and adhesive, please see our technical information at www.rehau.com/ti.}}

RAUKANTEX FP self-extinguishing edgebands

Did you know?

95% of those killed in fires die as a result of smoke inhalation.
Three breaths of highly toxic fire smoke will lead to unconsciousness.
2 minutes can already be fatal

“Our research and development are driven by our mission to create added value for our customers – not just through our products but through our services too.”

Matthias Hacker, Project Manager and Senior Engineer for the Edgeband Division at REHAU

“Our research and development are driven by our mission to create added value for our customers – not just through our products but through our services too.”

Matthias Hacker, Project Manager and Senior Engineer for the Edgeband Division at REHAU

The edgeband goes digital: #edgeisdigital

Mechanisation, mass production, digitalisation – these are the major development stages in industrial production. When people now talk about Industry 5.0, they are usually referring to the next stage of digitalisation: the networking of IT with industrial production. REHAU has already taken a big step here for RAUKANTEX. In addition to its edgeband search tool for interior designers and carpenters, REHAU also offers its #edgeisdigital service to digitise and accelerate the processing of edgeband materials, which also minimises the defect rate. This is a real breakthrough on the path towards the smart factory.

What is #edgeisdigital?

Edgebands are linked with the customer’s machine using ‘data on tag’ (barcode/2D code) on the edgeband coil or a cloud-based connection, providing master and/or instance data, such as width, thickness, material, version, color or even the coil length, in digital form.

This makes warehouse management, goods receipt or material planning much easier. Stock levels are transparent and can be viewed at any time. Production, storage and processes – everything can be tracked, which also helps with processing complaints and simplifies ordering procedures.

Parameters no longer need to be manually entered into machines during production. This saves time, simplifies operation and eliminates errors.

What added value does #edgeisdigital offer?

Work preparation is optimised.
Production control systems can be supplied with all edgeband information – per coil – within seconds.
Sources of errors are minimised.
It significantly increases efficiency.

What edgebands can do: special production & trend developments

REHAU's work thrives on partnerships. They bring inspiration and ideas and ensure that developments meet the needs of the industry. RAUKANTEX is one of the products that has achieved its excellent level of quality as a result of close collaboration with the decorative printing industry and machine manufacturers. In the history of RAUKANTEX there have always been special projects that have raised the edgeband to new levels.

The edgeband that shines: RAUKANTEX lumina

Light offers many possibilities: it can be used to accentuate pieces of furniture in an optimal way. It can make rooms look larger and cosier, create accents and provide structure. Lighting and light furniture are at play here along with an innovation from the team at REHAU: the RAUKANTEX lumina 3D edgebands make components shine. Sunlight or artificial light is absorbed, concentrated and emitted via the radii of the light edgeband.

The effect is achieved technically via light-harvesting pigments, which convert UV and artificial light into visible light – without any need for a power supply or batteries.

RAUKANTEX conquers door rebate edging

In the office furniture industry and parts of the kitchen sector, invisible-joint technology is considered to be state of the art. Together with the Prüm-Garant Group and HOMAG, REHAU has also transferred its benefits to door rebate edging.

The first series system for edging door rebates with invisible-joint technology entered into production at Prüm in spring 2019. REHAU developed a brand new product line especially for this application, based on the tried-and-tested RAUKANTEX pro.

For improved hygiene and safety: RAUKANTEX health.protect

Whether it’s at a hospital or your own living area, wherever lots of people meet in a confined space, REHAU health.protect contributes to the prevention of surface contamination. Specially coordinated formulations and coatings give the surfaces and edgebands an antibacterial effect. This means that, in normal humidity, more than 99.9% of the bacteria are destroyed within 24 hours. The bacterial protection is only complete when the matching furniture edgeband is used. RAUKANTEX pro in particular reveals its benefits to the full here – its seamless appearance not only looks classy but also prevents dirt buildup in the joints where bacteria can accumulate. RAUKANTEX health.protect edgebands are available in almost all colours and decorative designs and with various gloss levels from matt to high-gloss.

Find out more about the past and present of RAUKANTEX:

RAUKANTEX tradition

RAUKANTEX moves with the times

People behind RAUKANTEX