KLINGER Gaja: Revolutionizing sustainability in sealing solutions

Welcome to the future of sealing technology – welcome to KLINGER Gaja. At KLINGER Dichtungstechnik we are thrilled to unveil our latest innovation that is set to redefine the industry's approach to sustainability. KLINGER Gaja isn't just a product; it's a testament to our commitment to environmental responsibility and a showcase of our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in eco-friendly engineering solutions.

In an era where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword but a pressing necessity, KLINGER Gaja stands out as a beacon of change. Crafted with a meticulous focus on sustainability, KLINGER Gaja is the result of extensive research and development aimed at reducing environmental impact without compromising on performance.

To delve deeper into the development and features of KLINGER Gaja, we talked with Stephan Piringer, Head of Product Engineering at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik, about the inspiration behind KLINGER Gaja, its innovative features, and the impact it's poised to make in the world of sealing technology.

Mr. Piringer, what inspired you to develop a gasket made from renewable resources?
Stephan Piringer: Primarily, the inspiration came from two sources. Firstly, in recent years, we have been calculating the CO2 footprint of our products, known as the Product Carbon Footprint. A significant realization was that a large portion of our carbon footprint is rather due to how and where we source our raw materials and not to our processes. To reduce this footprint, it was evident that we needed to focus on sustainable sourcing. The other inspiration came from my responsibility for sustainability. I have observed that in projects with a sustainability focus, there is always a search for more ecological alternatives. I wanted to apply this principle to our products to appeal to customers seeking particularly sustainable sealing solutions.

“In our pursuit of sustainability, KLINGER Gaja goes beyond environmentally friendly solutions in our processes and takes a further step by driving sustainability along the supply chain by using renewable resources to reduce our product carbon footprint.”

Stephan Piringer, Head of Product Engineering
at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik

What specific renewable resources are used in KLINGER Gaja and why were they chosen?
Stephan Piringer: In principle, a fiber-reinforced gasket consists of a blend of fibers, elastomers, mineral fillers, and other components. We have endeavored to replace each of these components with sustainable alternatives. For example, we use natural rubber instead of synthetic rubber and renewable fibers instead of synthetically produced ones. One particularly innovative component is bio-circular silica, which is derived from rice waste. This choice is based on the fact that it is obtained from waste, making it particularly eco-friendly.

How does KLINGER Gaja differ from conventional gasket materials in terms of performance, durability, and environmental friendliness?
Stephan Piringer: KLINGER Gaja is significantly more environmentally friendly, as many of its components are renewable. Regarding the technical performance and durability, it is important to consider that that many products in the KLINGERSIL range have been specially designed for certain applications, temperature ranges, media, etc. Gaja, on the other hand, was primarily developed to offer a general sustainable option.

Can you tell me about the development process of KLINGER Gaja? Were there any particular challenges or breakthroughs?
Stephan Piringer: One of the biggest challenges was developing a formulation with completely new raw materials. It was a kind of trial-and-error process, testing and adjusting various formulations variations until we achieved the optimal result. It required a lot of experience, patience and experimentation, but in the end, we developed a sustainable and high-performing sealing solution.

With KLINGER Gaja, we are setting an example for sustainable innovations in the industry, demonstrating that environmental friendliness and performance can go hand in hand.