Süddekor GmbH is a leading specialist in the surface finishing of wood composite products and is very much at home in the world of trend-setting, innovative creation together with the printing of high quality decors and the development of technologically demanding surfacing products.

At Süddekor, special papers are printed with decorative structures for industrial surface finishing using the rotogravure process and are then marketed. The resulting products are encountered by consumers every day as a hard wearing furniture finish, or laminate flooring of the highest design standards.

The head office of Süddekor GmbH is in Laichingen in the Swabian Alps, Germany, where the company was founded in 1974. Together with Süddekor Art in Willich, and Dakor in Heroldstadt, it is part of the 2D Group, which has a worldwide workforce of 780. The group as a whole aims to set new benchmarks in design and technology.

Not only are the themes of wood and stone used as the basis for creativity, but metallic surfaces can be created with astonishing closeness to the original, together with abstract designs.

The 2D Holding Company came into existence in 2004 and is comprised of the Süddekor Group of companies and the Dakor operation. The products and services of the 2D Group are based on a simple principle: smart progressive solutions for customers’ individual needs in surface printing and coating.

Founded in Heroldstatt, Germany, in 1955, Dakor feels it has earned a leading position in the world market for independent impregnators. In addition to the impregnation of patterned and plain decor papers, Dakor has distinguished itself by developing laminate surfaces with high clarity and extreme resistance to abrasion. The Dakor Overlay quality has since become an industry standard, says the company.

A second Süddekor plant was constructed on the Laichingen site in 2004 and the focus here is on foils.

Printed decor papers are given a coated finish before being laminated for furniture and panels. Süddekor says it plays a strong role in this market through creative product design and innovation in coating technology.

Süddekor-Art in Willich specialises in creative digital decor development as well as high-tech cylinder engraving. Highly trained specialists, artists, modern machinery, and the use of progressive digital engineering, combine to ensure the integrity of precision craftwork from composition to the engraving of printing cylinders.

Finally, with Süddekor LLC in Massachusetts in the US, which began production of printing and engraving in 2000 to develop designs specifically for the US market, the growth path of Süddekor is, it says, second to none.

From July 1, 2012, the Swabian surface specialist acquired the remaining 40% of the share capital of DecoColor GmbH. Initially, Süddekor owned 60% of the share capital of DecoColor. DecoColor GmbH was founded in 2007 in Halle, Saale, in order to be able to exert influence on the production and ongoing development of printing inks – a significant factor in the production of decor papers. Consequently, Süddekor invests much time and effort in research and development in the printing ink sector in order to fulfil its leading role in technological innovations and technical pioneering.

Between May 13 and 16, 2013, Süddekor exhibited in Hall 6 at the Interzum trade fair in Cologne, where the company showcased its decor trends and its current surfaces innovations.

With its ‘What’s on top is decisive’ motto, Süddekor opted for an innovative concept for addressing customers. In addition to its well-known decor printing design competence, Süddekor also exhibited its technical surface expertise.

The portfolio ranges from embossed-inregister technology, structured and supermatt finish films, all the way through to the latest paper structures for melamine surfaces.

For the first time, Süddekor focused on the new D.Fin Thermoform thermoplastic film. The company indicated its intention to enter this segment back in autumn 2012 and Süddekor is now able to offer a decor package from a single source, as the same dye system is used for melamine products, finish films and PP films – all completely metamerism-free.

The company is also planning to introduce D.Fin Thermoform with a structured surface.

Once again Süddekor focused its presentation on design for contemporary furniture with its two trend worlds ‘E.NOVATION’ and ‘E.MOTION’, exhibiting trendy oak decors such as Barents Oak, Edison Oak and Pegasus Oak, offering elegantly rustic looks.

There was also a focus on linear and porous woods such as pines, elms and ashes.

"At this year’s Interzum we demonstrated our surfaces competence," said Tobias Lorenze, head of marketing at Süddekor. "The interaction of design and surface technology in the most diverse forms is the topic of the moment."

Süddekor has just announced that it is continuing its successful cooperation with Improve Process Analytics and Control GmbH (IPAC) in Villach, Austria and is to equip all its sites with Advanced Colour Measurement System (ACMS) measurement devices by 2014.

Dr Steffen Griffel, managing director of Süddekor, believes that the company is embarking on the right path with this decision: "With this resolution we are further expanding our competitive edge with regard to implementing digital quality management (DQM), hence making an important contribution towards the longoverdue optimisation of the entire valueadded chain," he said