Press Release
ContiTech
Benecke-Kaliko
Benecke-Kaliko Opens Up Creative Possibilities of a
Whole New Kind for the Vehicle Interior
 The Alfa MiTo instrument panel sports the world's first gradient surface technology in
series-vehicle production
 Spray-mist effect on two-tone surface employing just one material sheet
Hanover, February 2014. The gradient surface technology developed by Benecke-Kaliko opens up
to automotive manufacturers’ creative opportunities of a whole new kind in the design of modern
vehicle interiors. It is yet another example of the surface manufacturer's wide-ranging surface
expertise and virtually unlimited creative versatility. The new technology is celebrating its world
premiere in series production on the instrument panel of the new Alfa Romeo MiTo.
The instrument panel in this Italian vehicle is a real eye-catcher. The colors on the TEPEO® foil
manufactured by Benecke-Kaliko seem to have been sprayed on, transitioning from black to red.
"With our gradient surface technology, we allow automotive manufacturers and suppliers to now
manufacture two-tone interior components using just one single material sheet," notes Michael
Mäker, head of the Surfaces and Design Technology Center at Benecke-Kaliko, underscoring a
further advantage that simplifies the manufacturing process for the customer. What is more, the
procedure can be applied to nearly all materials from Benecke-Kaliko.
The surface manufacturer's developers had just one year to realize the customer's specifications
for the two-tone design of the instrument panel surface and optimize the printing method involved.
The main challenge here was one of achieving a uniform color gradient for the spray-mist effect
and positioning the blend as desired. "This project breaks new ground for us and is thus extremely
important," says Mäker. "After all, none of our competitors offer a printing method like this for
production vehicles."
But it is not only the spectacular TEPEO® foil that impressed Alfa Romeo. The automotive
manufacturer also chose Benecke-Kaliko for the seats of the MiTo, which are covered in the
Acella® material.
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Your contact:
Mario Töpfer, +49 511 938-1304
-2Caption CT_BK_Gredientendruck_Mito.jpg
Benecke-Kaliko's specially developed gradient printing technique creates the spectacular spraymist effect on the Alfa MiTo's instrument panel.
Photo: Fiat
With provisional sales of around €33.3 billion in 2013, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers
worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis,
instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental
contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in
networked automobile communication. Continental currently has more than 177,000 employees in 46
countries.
The ContiTech division numbers among the leading suppliers of a host of technical rubber products and is a
specialist for plastics technology. The division develops and produces functional parts, components and
systems for the automotive industry and other important industries. ContiTech currently has a workforce of
approximately 29,500 employees. In 2012, it achieved sales of about €3.7 billion.
Contact for journalists
Mario Töpfer
Head of Technical Media Relations
ContiTech AG
Vahrenwalder Strasse 9
30165 Hanover, Germany
Ph.: +49 511 938-1304
Fax: +49 511 938-1305
mario.toepfer@contitech.de
www.contitech.de
Kerstin Porsiel-Voges
Head of Communications
Benecke-Kaliko Group
ContiTech AG
Vahrenwalder Strasse 9
30165 Hanover, Germany
Ph.: +49 511 938-1121
Fax: +49 511 938-14025
kerstin.porsiel@contitech.de
www.contitech.de
This press release is available in the following languages: German, English
Links
Press releases and photos are available for download at www.contitech.de/press
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Your contact:
Mario Töpfer, +49 511 938-1304