30 years DIBOND®

Let's roll back the years to 1992 - at that time, the products ALUCOBOND®, FOREX® and KAPA® were part of the former Alusuisse Composites’ product portfolio. Since the late 60s, the main area of application for ALUCOBOND® had been in architecture while FOREX®, a rigid PVC foam sheet, and KAPA® lightweight foamboards were being used in advertising and signage; marketed throughout Europe by distribution partners. Close contact with customers had revealed the need for a lightweight material providing outstanding flatness and rigidity, easy processing and excellent weather resistance.

From the very outset, the production site in Singen specialised in the manufacture of various semi-finished aluminium products. This expertise facilitated the development of an aluminium composite panel comprising two 0.3 mm thick aluminium outer layers and a polyethylene core to satisfy customer requirements.

At its launch in 1992, DIBOND® was only available with a platinum white surface. An extremely positive market response meant the portfolio was quickly enlarged to include more standard colours as well as versions with special surfaces - BUTLERFINISH® series and mirror.

Today - 30 years later - DIBOND®, the display sector’s first ever aluminium composite panel, is a trusted, well-established product – a permanent feature in a wide range of different applications, including signage, product and furniture design, shop-fitting, interior design, shop design, and trade fair and exhibition design.

Available in a wide variety of thicknesses, formats and surfaces, there are virtually no limits to the product range. DIBOND®design product versions, enable architects and designers to create their very own designs without having to compromise on the advantages and quality offered by DIBOND®. Individual decors (on request) are created according to customer specifications and even small quantities are feasible, thanks to high flexibility and fast implementation.

3A Composites is not only continuously developing and enhancing its DIBOND® product portfolio; it also attaches great importance to environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and materials.

We have already completely replaced virgin materials in the core of our DIBOND® panels with recycled LDPE, meaning we are able to make an important contribution to closed-loop recycling DIBOND® panels are also used for long-term applications indoors and outdoors - depending on where the panel is installed, customers report a service life of up to 20 years. And at the end of their service life, the panels are completely recyclable, i.e. the core material and the aluminium cover sheets are recycled and used to produce new material. For more information, please get yourself acquainted with our Sustainable Mission and DIBOND® FIVE-DOT-MISSION