Automotive / Natural fibres
BORBET
Development and manufacture of design and aerodynamic elements using natural-fibre composites.
CROPFIBER GMBH / THE COMPANY BEHIND ASPHALTKIND
Composites.Engineered.
Manufactured.
We engineer and manufacture carbon and natural-fibre composite components at our own facility in Unna, Germany. Through our brand ASPHALTKIND, we bring this expertise onto roads around the world — while creating a foundation for further applications.
Engineering · Out-of-autoclave · Infusion · Prototypes & small series
ASPHALTKIND is the brand.Cropfiber is the engineering and manufacturing company behind it.Explore our technology platform ↓
01 / Our capabilities
From concept
to component.
Material selection, design, manufacturing process and finished component — brought together. Explore the technical details in the expandable sections.
01Engineering & materials
We support material selection, CAD design, laminate engineering and design for manufacture of carbon- and natural-fibre-reinforced components.
From visible carbon parts to functional lightweight components, with careful consideration of geometry, finish, production volumes and end use.
02Composite manufacturing
Our facility in Unna uses efficient out-of-autoclave processes and vacuum infusion. We manufacture and finish composite components, assemble sub-systems and continually refine our processes for each project.
Our focus: prototypes, application-specific small-series production and high-quality, repeatable components.
03Efficient tooling & 3D printing
Tooling is a means to an end: a better finished component. Depending on geometry and production volume, we use conventional moulds or additively manufactured tooling.
3D-printed sand tools, including solutions developed with Catalysis3D, can reduce tooling costs and lead times. We select the approach that suits the component, process and production volume.
02 / Made in Germany
Engineering meets manufacturing.
Our own out-of-autoclave processes, vacuum infusion and cost-conscious tooling concepts bring engineering and manufacturing together in Unna. Close collaboration helps us improve processes and efficiently produce high-quality prototypes and small series.
Out-of-autoclavevacuum infusionCarbon / natural fibreFinishing & assembly
03 / Real-world material development
The roof box.
Our test platform.
With ASPHALTKIND we engineer and manufacture our own carbon- and natural-fibre product, used on extraordinary vehicles around the world.
For Cropfiber, the roof box also serves as a real-world technology demonstrator. We can incorporate new natural and performance fibres into prototypes, observe their behaviour on actual journeys and refine them through further development.
Material→Prototype→Road test→Transfer
Explore ASPHALTKIND ↗
How we evaluate new fibres, resins, consumables and manufacturing methods
We can evaluate new fibres, resin systems, consumables and manufacturing methods through short development iterations in our prototypes. We assess processability, surface quality, manufacturing performance, weather exposure and real-world use alongside technical laboratory and component testing.
Insights gained can inform future developments for automotive exterior panels, doors, bonnets or wind-energy components.
Any subsequent use in those applications requires its own relevant technical testing, validation and approvals, independently of roof-box trials.
Real-world reference / St. Moritz
ASPHALTKIND on the Koenigsegg CC850.
An example of our technology demonstrator in use on an extraordinary vehicle — in winter conditions and at international automotive events.
04 / Selected work
Proven in practice.
Selected engineering and manufacturing work — from natural-fibre components to demanding carbon applications.
Renewable energy / Natural fibres
Wind energy
Development of a natural-fibre composite rotor-blade prototype to demonstrate alternative materials.
Explore more projects & applications
Tratter Group: From CAD data to a painted presentation component, with short development iterations.
ASPHALTKIND: In-house engineering and production of large carbon components, including mechanisms, finishes and vehicle-specific mounting systems.
Koenigsegg CC850: ASPHALTKIND shown on the vehicle in St. Moritz — photographs in our technology-demonstrator section.
05 / About Cropfiber
From start-up
to manufacturer.
Since 2019, an award-winning materials concept has evolved into a company with its own composite manufacturing capability. ASPHALTKIND is our visible product — our expertise in materials, processes and manufacturing reaches beyond it.
01Origins & awards
2019: Founded to bring natural-fibre composites into real-world applications.
2020: 3rd place at start2grow and a top-10 finish at KUER.NRW.
2021: Coverage on national television and in the press.
From 2022: ASPHALTKIND develops into our own technology demonstrator.
2026: Expansion of our in-house component manufacturing in Unna.
02Press, TV & video
03Cropfiber & social channels
Follow Cropfiber for updates on our company, composite engineering and manufacturing. Product stories and road trips are featured on our ASPHALTKIND channel.
Optional / Technology & economics
Estimate tooling costs.
For an initial assessment of a tooling concept.
Open tooling calculator
For an initial cost indication, you can use our technology partner Catalysis3D’s calculator here. The external service loads only after you start it.
External service: starting the calculator establishes a connection to Catalysis3D. Alternatively, open directly ↗
06 / Project enquiry
What can we
manufacture for you?
Whether you have a CAD file, a material concept or a specific component enquiry, tell us about your geometry, target volumes and intended application.
[email protected] ↗