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Plastics processing company Heinz Fritz Kunststoffverarbeitung of Herbrechtingen, Germany, has introduced two products that are set to change the material choice and design options for trade shows, exhibitions and permanent displays as well as for counters in shops and transport terminals.

The two product ranges, Transsatco and Transquieto have both been developed using Heinz Fritz proprietary technology in order to meet both the demand for high aesthetics and design freedom in combination with performance characteristics and fire classification B1. The basis for both product ranges is sheet made from Spectar copolyester, made by Eastman Specialty Plastics.

Transsatco represents a series of transparent sheet products with a matt finish – available in a choice of colours as well as uncoloured. The range was developed to offer designers an alternative to PMMA (PolyMethylMethAcrylate or Acrylic) – with the necessary fire classification to make it suitable for exhibitions and public buildings.

According to Heinz Fritz, the company’s owner, Transsatco, which is available in a range of thicknesses, can be used in applications where currently only wood, metal and glass meet the necessary criteria: He says, “The Transsatco range can help to produce stunning displays, using colour, transparency and light to great effect. These lightweight panels can be glued like PMMA – however, in use they are more robust and durable.”

Transquieto, which also has the same fire classification, is a range of transparent sheets in various thicknesses and colours, designed to dampen sound. This is achieved by a patented process of creating many tiny holes (ranging from 0.5 mm – 2 mm) in the surface – as many as 40 per sq m - resulting in a high degree of sound absorption.

Says Mr Fritz: “We invested in this technology, because we believe that there are many uses for this particular product range. We see a huge potential with many possible areas of application, from busy offices to noisy transport terminals – in fact anywhere in the world where people and machines are active.”

Heinz Fritz Kunststoffverarbeitung has its own design and production departments and the company already has a number of applications throughout Europe. Alternatively, the Transsatco and Transquieto ranges are available as flat panels for customers who want to create their own designs.

Both ranges have excellent secondary fabrication characteristics. The lightweight sheets are incredibly strong and have no need for complex, or expensive frameworks or supporting structures. As with all sheet made from Spectar copolyester, both Transsatco and Transquieto are easy to fabricate allowing greater design freedom. They can be thermoformed without the need to pre- dry the sheet. They can be cut with saw-blades, routed, drilled, die-punched, glued or joined by screws or bolts. Screen-printing, painting and hot-stamping is possible too.