In 2026, Kulzer will mark a significant milestone: the 90th anniversary of the company’s introduction of denture acrylics with the original launch of Paladon in 1936. This breakthrough laid the foundation for what is now the Pala line—an integrated portfolio of prosthetic solutions that continues to evolve in response to the needs of dental laboratories worldwide.

Karl-Heinz Renz, workflow owner for removable prosthetics in Kulzer’s global product management team, sees the anniversary not just as a celebration of the past but as a strategic opportunity to continue driving innovation. “The patent for the world’s first denture acrylic was filed on September 8, 1936,” Renz explains. “That invention laid the groundwork for Paladon—still in our portfolio today as Paladon® 65, a reliable heat-curing acrylic. This kind of longevity is rare, and it speaks to the consistent value we aim to provide for lab technicians.”

Renz has been with Kulzer for more than two decades, beginning in research and development. Trained as a chemist, he brings both technical expertise and a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship of dental technicians. “I learn every day how technicians create true works of art with our materials. Many of them have inspired us to improve our solutions,” he says.

At the core of Kulzer’s approach to prosthetics is a commitment to supporting lab technicians with a complete, compatible system. The Pala line—comprising artificial teeth, denture acrylics, and accessories—is designed as a fully integrated workflow, from data capture to the final polish.

“With so many material options available today, it can be difficult for labs to know which components work best together,” Renz says. “Our system approach gives customers confidence that everything is designed to function cohesively. We regularly hear how patients and dentists appreciate the strength and esthetics of the final appliances.”

This systemic thinking has guided the evolution of the product line over nine decades. After the initial introduction of Paladon, Kulzer continued to respond to market demands and clinical challenges with key innovations. One such advancement was the 1968 debut of the Palapress® family of cold-curing acrylics, formulated to address yellowish discolorations seen in other poured denture materials at the time.

Another pivotal moment came in 1999, when Kulzer introduced the first fully CAD/CAM-designed artificial tooth line—now known as Mondial® 6i and Mondial 8i. “This was a leap forward in precision,” says Renz. “Designing teeth digitally enabled greater accuracy in shape and shade, which significantly reduced setup time in the lab.”

For lab technicians, balancing artistry with productivity is a daily challenge. Renz points to two Pala products that help close that gap: Mondial teeth and the Pala cre-active® individualization system.

“Mondial teeth support both traditional and digital workflows,” he says. “Their morphology allows for fast setups with excellent occlusion so labs can save time without compromising quality.”

Meanwhile, Pala cre-active enables customization with light-curing materials that elevate standard dentures into personalized, life-like restorations. “With minimal effort, technicians can add expressive details that truly enhance the final result,” Renz notes.

Kulzer attributes much of the Pala line’s endurance to a set of core values: “Challenge, Diversity, and One Team.” These principles drive internal collaboration and ensure the company remains closely connected to customer needs.

“We regularly challenge ourselves to improve existing solutions, and we depend on feedback from technicians around the world,” Renz says. “That feedback loop, and the commitment of our team, has been essential to our success.”

Another factor is the company’s rigorous approach to quality. “Shade is the most critical—and most emotional—aspect of denture materials,” Renz says. “That’s why we involve experienced technicians early in the design process and monitor shade consistency through multiple quality gates in manufacturing.”

As digital workflows continue to reshape dental technology, Kulzer has remained at the forefront. The Pala Digital Denture system, first introduced in 2013, represented an early commitment to 3D printing and CAD/CAM integration.

That direction continues with several new developments. “We’ve updated our Pala tooth library for 3Shape and exocad to help labs streamline the denture design process,” Renz says. “And with the launch of Pala Mill&Cast in Europe, we’ve introduced a precise milling workflow that ensures the final denture matches the original digital design.”

Renz also shares that updates are on the horizon for the Pala cre-active system, aimed at further enhancing individualization capabilities for esthetic dentures.

Looking ahead to the 90th anniversary, Kulzer is planning several initiatives that reflect the company’s long-standing relationship with dental labs. “We want to thank technicians for their trust and partnership,” Renz says. “Their daily work directly improves patient wellbeing, and if we can support them in that, it’s truly an honor.”

One simple but important reminder he offers: “Don’t forget to update your Kulzer tooth library in your design software. You’ll benefit from improved morphology and optimized occlusal schemes that make your digital workflows faster and more precise.”

As the Pala brand approaches a century of service to the dental laboratory community, Kulzer remains focused on practical solutions, high standards, and close collaboration with the technicians who bring prosthetics to life.

Kulzer
Kulzer.com

Milestones

1936 – Kulzer files a patent for the world’s first denture acrylic, launching Paladon, a heat-curing material that revolutionized prosthetic fabrication.

1968 – Introduction of the Palapress® line of cold-curing acrylics, solving the issue of yellowish discoloration in poured dentures and offering new workflow flexibility.

2013 – Launch of Pala® Digital Dentures, positioning Kulzer as an early leader in digital prosthetic solutions and paving the way for 3D printing and CAD/CAM integration.

Key Products Today

Mondial Teeth – A digitally designed tooth line offering efficient setups and precise occlusion, ideal for both analog and digital workflows.

Pala cre-active® – A light-curing individualization system that helps technicians transform standard dentures into personalized, aesthetic restorations with ease.

Pala Mill&Cast – A new digital workflow introduced in Europe for precise denture milling, ensuring fidelity to original digital designs.

Company Values

Challenge – Kulzer encourages continuous innovation by pushing teams to improve existing solutions based on real-world feedback.

Diversity – Global collaboration and diverse customer insights help shape product development and ensure relevance across markets.

One Team – Technicians, developers, and product managers work together to ensure reliable, esthetic, and patient-focused outcomes.