Insulation Innovation: Naturheld Outfits State-of-the-Art Plant with Matthews’ Valve Inkjet System

Industry: Wholesale Building Materials

Application: Automated marking on wood in harsh environment

Products: Drop-on-Demand (DOD) Inkjet Printer MPERIA® V-Series™

Naturheld, an innovative manufacturer of eco-friendly wood fiber insulation systems headquartered in Grafenwöhr, Germany, has established a cutting-edge production facility. From the very beginning of the planning process, the company collaborated closely with a range of machinery suppliers to engineer production solutions precisely tailored to the unique demands of wood fiber insulation board manufacturing.

The marks on building materials serve many purposes. In the case of Naturheld’s environmentally-friendly, wood fiber insulation systems, applied marks enable product identification and traceability, as well as increased brand awareness through temporary visibility on building sites.

Each of Naturheld’s insulation boards is marked with the brand logo, product designation (type and density), as well as date and time of manufacture (for quality control and traceability).

When Naturheld was planning its brand new, state-of-the-art production facility in Grafenwöhr, Bavaria, they needed a marking solution that would deliver a clear, reliable mark on wood fiber insulation boards despite having to operate in a harsh production environment filled with dust and wood chips. In addition, the marking solution needed to seamlessly integrate with a variety of other production machinery, and be able to operate on a rigorous 24/7, four-shift schedule with minimal maintenance.

The decision to collaborate with Matthews Marking Systems was driven by consistently positive industry experiences. Peter Härtl, Technical Site Manager at Naturheld, led the technical design and integration efforts in close coordination with Matthews and other system partners, ensuring seamless alignment across all components.

The Solution

Naturheld chose to implement Matthews Marking Systems’ V-Series drop-on-demand valve jet printers for their marking needs. The final solution included:

• 1x MPERIA 12″ IP54 controller
• 6x V-Link
• 6x V-Series 32-Valve printheads
• 2x Ink Supply Units – Advanced Fluid Pump Systems
• SCP 620 Black Ink

The V-Series solution was a perfect fit for Naturheld’s needs for many reasons:

• Robust Design: The V-Series printheads feature an advanced nozzle design, allowing for confident installation in harsh environments.
• Flexibility: The system offers over, under, and side firing capabilities, with tilting printheads for optimal print height and resolution.
• Scalability: The MPERIA controller allows easy expansion and integration with other systems.
• Easy Maintenance: Flushing valve systems simplify cleaning and maintenance, crucial in a dusty environment.

The implementation process involved close, three-way collaboration between Naturheld, Matthews Marking Systems, and machine manufacturer Anthon. The Matthews’ technical sales team worked directly with both Naturheld and Anthon to ensure seamless integration of the marking system with the production line — iterating on the solution to perfect fixture design and height adjustments.

The efficient communication enabled a quick installation of only a few days. Once the line was up and running, the Matthews team provided on-site operations and maintenance training to Naturheld’s lead operators and plant managers. The system’s simplicity and ease of use allowed this initial group to pass their learnings on to the rest of the company’s workforce.

The Results

“We’ve been running for a year now,” says Härtl, “And I can say that we are very satisfied and confident that we will continue to be happy with the performance of the Matthews V-Series.”

The Matthews’ V-Series marking solution continues to deliver significant benefits to Naturheld:

Reliable Performance: Despite the challenging environment, the system has had minimal downtime. Early on, while the system was still being refined, the dust in the environment resulted in a clogged ink nozzle, but the problem was quickly rectified. “Downtime is extremely low,” says Härtl. “We have a very dusty environment and it’s not unheard of for a print head to stick or produce an unclean print image. When this happened early on, Matthews handled the problem superbly — the replacement ink was delivered immediately, and Matthews technicians were on site quickly.”

Easy Maintenance: The system requires minimal upkeep, with cleaning typically performed only once a week.
Seamless Integration: The system integrated smoothly with Naturheld’s production line, allowing the plant to begin operating effectively in their 24/7, four-shift schedule more or less right out of the gate.

Overall, Matthews’ V-Series solution has met Naturheld’s marking needs while withstanding the harsh production environment, making a valuable contribution to the company’s broader operational efficiency and profitability.

Perhaps most important, Härtl deeply appreciated Matthews’ commitment to being an excellent partner. “Matthews provides outstanding cooperation, communication, and coordination,” he says. “You could always reach someone who could solve any problem immediately. I confidently recommend Matthews Marking Systems. Everything was just right.”

About naturheld GmbH & Co. KG

Naturheld GmbH & Co. KG embodies a new generation of sustainable insulation solutions—high-performance, resource-efficient, and future-ready. As a specialist in wood fiber insulation boards, Naturheld designs and manufactures innovative products for modern timber and solid construction, as well as energy-efficient renovation projects.

The company’s mission is clear: to deliver building materials that meet the highest standards of physical performance while actively advancing climate protection.Founded in 2022, Naturheld is a young company with bold ideas and a strong commitment to driving transformation in the construction industry. Its state-of-the-art production facility ranks among the most advanced in the sector, enabling the efficient, environmentally conscious production of premium wood fiber insulation—proudly Made in Germany.