TecnA Plastics & Rubber - March 2022 by TecnAlimentaria Magazines

Plastics & Rubber

International Magazine for the global Plastics & Rubber Industry TecnA Plastics & Rubber - March 2022 - ISSN 2723-9187

Technology in technopolimeric material Mould and mould-flow design for thermoplastic articles Mould design for elastomeric articles Print of technical details in thermoplastic materials Print of elastomeric technical details Ultrasound soldering – high frequency – hot blade Quality service: analysis on technical articles produces and test of in/outcoming materials

FIELDS OF APPLICATION OF OUR PRODUCTS BOTTLING PACKAGING AUTOMATION LABELLING PAPER TRANSFORMATION PHARMACEUTICAL VALVES AND FITTINGS PNEUMATICS

www.tecnaplastics.com

contents

Plastics & Rubber

16 As flexible as a dancer and perfect in every performance

18 K 2022 from 19 to 26 October 2022 in Düsseldorf

Providing the smartest solutions

28 PLASTPOL returns in the spring of 2022

32 The drive to innovation

44 BD Plast, an attitude for innovation

High-quality engineering and customization

76 TecnA Plastics & Rubber March 2022 Issue 6 - Year IV

Plastics & Rubber

Publisher Fabiana Da Cortà Fumei Editorial Staff & Design: redazione@tecnaplastics.com Sabrina Fattoretto Claudia Bosco Elena Abbondanza Advertising & Marketing Anita Pozzi anita.pozzi@edftrend.com Franco Giordano franco.giordano@edftrend.com International Magazine for the global Plastics & Rubber Industry

Printing L’Artegrafica Srl

Management & Editorial Office Editrice EDF Trend srl Corso del Popolo, 42 31100 Treviso – Italy Tel. +39 0422 549305 Fax +39 0422 591736 redazione@tecnaplastics.com www.tecnaplastics.com N° iscrizione ROC (Registro degli Operatori di Comunicazione): 22054 ISSN 2723-9187 In questo numero la pubblicità non supera il 45% Poste Italiane SpA - Spedizione in Abbonamento Postale - D.L. 353/2003 (conv. in L. 27/02/2004 n. 46) art. 1 comma 1 NE/TV

A brand standing out in the market

Binova Plastic Machinery: 2006 – 2022

Published by Editrice EDF Trend srl Corso del Popolo, 42 31100 Treviso – Italy All right reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. The Publisher is not responsible for any materials, nor for writers’ nor contributors’ expressed or implied opinions.

Responsabile del trattamento dati è il direttore responsabile a cui ci si può rivolgere presso la sede di Treviso - Corso del Popolo, 42 per i diritti previsti dalla legge 675/1996.

Member of

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TecnA Plastics & Rubber - March 2022 - ISSN 2723-9187

TecnA Plastics & Rubber is a magazine by

EDF TREND SRL

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINES - year XXVI

Plastics & Rubber

FOOD &

ANIMAL FEED TECHNOLOGY

to Postale D.L. 353/2003 (conv. in L. 27/02/2004 n. 46) art. 1 comma 1 NE/TV - Anno 24 N° 4/2019 - ISSN 2498-9541

EDITRICE

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINES TECNOLOGIE PER L’INDUSTRIA DEGLI ALIMENTI E MANGIMI PER ANIMALI

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EXHIBITIONS

Vietnam remains attractive investment destination for plastics production Many foreign companies, in partnership with local Vietnambased entities, are pouring large amounts of investments into Vietnam’s plastics manufacturing sector

ietnam’s rapidly expanding plastics market is an attractive proposition to providers of innovative technologies. The country’s plastics market is projected to register a CAGR of more than 10% yearly from 2021-2026, according to Mordor Intelligence. This promising prospect places Vietnam’s plastics industry among the fastest growing in the Southeast Asian region. While the impact of COVID-19 in the first half of 2020 saw work stoppages and slowdown in manufacturing activities, Vietnam has been resilient and production in some sectors have resumed under the new normal. In terms of industry, Vietnam’s plastics industry continues to supply leading sectors depending on plastics such as packaging, electrical and electronics, construction, automotive, household products, among others. Packaging accounts

for around 68% of the plastics market share. The Vietnam Plastics Association (VPA) report places plastic packaging companies at around 460 out of 2,000 plastic companies operating in Vietnam and these packaging companies contribute to over 60% of Vietnam’s yearly export sales.

Aside from packaging, Vietnam’s construction industry is a thriving sector as it accounts for about 25% of plastics industry’s output. As the construction industry recovers and more infrastructure and housing projects get implemented, the demand for plastics as input is expected to rise. Another important

Plastics

Vietnam is an attractive investment site for a growing number of foreign investors (Photo: Pexels/Quang Nguyen Vinh)

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EXHIBITIONS industry is automobile production which is being developed as Vietnam aims to become a regional hub for auto production. Car assembly and auto parts production is seeing growth with investments from foreign companies. Overall, sustained high demand from major applications is anticipated to boost demand for plastics in Vietnam in the period 2022-2025. Rising personal consumption, rapid urbanization and the growing middle class are important factors in Vietnam’s plastics market’s development. Investments spur production activities in key areas Vietnam has attracted both local and foreign investments into its plastics industry. Some of the biggest plastics producers are supplying the various industries that

are dependent on plastics, notably packaging, construction and electronics. Currently, there are more than 2,000 plastic companies in Vietnam mainly located in Ho Chi Minh City (84%). Domestic plastic companies account for 85% while foreign ones account for only 15% in number but 40% in investment capital. It has been reported that the Vietnamese government is divesting from domestic plastic companies, and foreign investors are likely to take this opportunity to increase their market penetration. In the first 9 months of 2021 alone, foreign investors’ new capital registered in Vietnam amounted to US$22.15 billion, up by 4.4% in the same period the previous year, according to official government statistics.

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Many foreign companies, in partnership with local Vietnambased entities, are pouring large amounts of investments into Vietnam’s plastics manufacturing sector. For instance, in the construction plastics segment, the Tien Phong Plastic JSC (NTP) and Binh Minh Plastic JSC (BMP) account for the bulk of the total market share. There are also major companies in Vietnam’s plastics market that are engaged in the production of plastic resins and compounds such as Far Eastern New Century, Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical (NSRP), Hyosung Chemicals, Billion Industrial Holdings Co. Ltd, and SCG Chemicals Co. Ltd, among others. Thailand’s SCG Chemicals Co. Ltd has partnered with Thai Plastic and Chemicals Public Company (TPC), Qatar Petroleum International (QPI), and Petro Vietnam in building an integrated petrochemical complex located in Long Son Commune of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. The partnership aims to help SCG to produce and sell plastics to the Vietnamese market. In September 2021, SCG Chemicals announced that it also finalized its purchase of a leading packaging company, Bien Hoa Packaging Joint Stock Co (SOVI). To date, SCG Chemical operates three manufacturing facilities near Ho Chi Minh City, in southern Vietnam. The recent acquisition is expected to expand SCG Chemical’s customer base especially in food & beverage, as well as in FMCG sectors. In electronics manufacturing, Samsung announced that it is expanding its production in Vietnam by investing in R&D to turn Samsung Vietnam into a major production site for the company. Samsung Vietnam is now building a US$220 million R&D centre in Hanoi with completion by the end of 2022. Samsung has earlier announced its plan to use recycled materials in its Galaxy smartphones, and this will create demand for performance materials. Another leading company, LG Display, also voiced its confidence into Vietnam despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic. The South Korean company has raised its investment in its Haiphong plant by US$1.4 billion to boost its organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display output to 13 million to 14 million units per month from the present 9.6 million to 10.1 million units. OLED displays, made on plastic substrates, are used in TVs, smartphones and automotive screens.

Plastics

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EXHIBITIONS In food manufacturing, Nestlé Vietnam has committed to invest US$132 million to double the capacity of its Nestlé Tri An factory in the next two years as it aims to transform the Vietnamese market into a world-class supplier of coffee for both domestic and international markets. The Nestlé Tri An factory is one of Nestlé’s largest production facilities in the country, and also one of the Group’s most advanced coffee processing plants in the Asian region. Products from the Nestlé Tri An are being exported to 25 markets worldwide. Another leading F&B company, Tetra Pak, has expressed confidence in Vietnam with an additional US$5.9 million investment into its US$141.2 million packaging material factory in Binh Duong province. The additional investment will increase the factory’s annual output, from the present 11.5 billion to 16.5 billion packages, to meet rising demand for aseptic packages in Vietnam and regional markets. Tetra Pak’s factory in Vietnam is the first aseptic packaging material factory in the country, placing Vietnam into its supply chain map. The factory’s upgrade also entails the installation of 2,300 solar panels as part of Tetra Pak’s efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations by 2030. Circular economy requirements for more advanced recycling Another area where opportunities for investors are expected to emerge is recycling. The World Bank has placed Vietnam among the top 4 countries with high volume of plastic waste. At 280,000 tons yearly, the country’s linear economy where the “take-make-dispose” model prevails has contributed to the huge plastic waste pile up. Current estimates placed Vietnam’s total waste at 26 million tons yearly, with 85% going into landfill or about 26

SCG Chemicals Co. operates three manufacturing plants near Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: SCG Chemicals)

Tetra Pak pours an additional US$5.9 million into its US$141.2 million packaging material factory in Binh Duong province (Photo: Tetra Pak)

million tons, with alarming effects on the environment. This has prompted plastics industry of Vietnam to move towards a circular economy as it targets sustainable production in the plastics industry. The circular economy model of “make-use-recycle” promotes waste reduction by recycling, reducing and reusing. Encouraged by the Law on Environmental Protection (LEP) that aims to push

manufacturers and suppliers to become more responsible through recycling. In January 2022, the revised LEP provisions took effect putting Vietnam in the realm of circular economy through planning strategies, development plans, waste management, and waste recycling. The order to intensify recycling requires investments and more advanced recycling technologies in recycling, granulating, extrusion, etc. to meet the targets. At CHINAPLAS 2022, applications of plastics in key industries – such as food & beverage, packaging, electronics, automotive, household goods – for Southeast Asian manufacturers will be demonstrated by exhibitors. The exhibition also features important industry and technology updates that will benefit Southeast Asian manufacturers as they move towards supplying the international markets. For more information, visit: www.chinaplasonline.com

An R&D center is being constructed at Samsung Vietnam’s complex in Hanoi (Photo: Samsung Vietnam)

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Packaging and sustainability, the evolution towards more recyclable packaging for detergents & home care products hanks to the forced confinement and the fear of the virus, during these two years of pandemic the consumption of cleaning and disinfection products both in the home and in public access areas has recorded growth rates of around 30%. The sudden need to sanitize hands and various surfaces against the virus led to a big demand in blow moulded containers for cleaning & disinfecting products. This demand has been a constant during the past two years and Plastiblow did its part to supply equipment for this purpose. The market of detergents and household care products requires machines with particularly rapid

Sustainable packaging is on the rise and Plastiblow help reduce our impact on the environment by improving recyclability

production cycles but without neglecting the aesthetics and design of the container and its robustness; fundamental aspects for the attractiveness of selling to the consumer. Large numbers of pieces produced correspond to a rather low unit cost, even in the presence of containers or bottles with multiple layers and with machines that use In Mould labelling. Shapes, material, surface finishes: these are all conditions that must meet precise design requirements. Regardless of the content, the bottles produced must be compatible with the liquid they are going to contain, preserve the quality of the product, prevent the product from being dispersed during transport, have a beautiful design or important thicknesses, in the event that they contain dangerous substances containing acids, dyes, bleaches.

Mod. PB26ED-900 DECO equipped with E120/25 and E70/25 extruders

Plastics

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750 ml PP bottle made in 2+2 cavities with blow moulding machine mod. PB3ED-300 equipped with E60/25 extruder

Packaging and sustainability, the evolution towards more recyclable packaging Consumer goods companies are looking to reduce the environmental impact of their products, for example by making more use of recycled plastics or by creating easily removable labels, which make it easier to recycle packages. If once an elaborate and heavy packaging was synonymous with quality, today consumers demand that products be shipped in sustainable, light and recyclable formats. Sustainable packaging is in fact on the rise and manufacturers are cutting down on packaging, improving its recyclability. The move to lightweight packaging has also led some companies to replace glass containers with plastic ones, which are less heavy. In the packaging sector, many are convinced that plastic has contributed to sustainability, helping to preserve products from deterioration and being at the same time also light and flexible. And it is precisely on these aspects that it is crucial to work. In the cleaning sector, therefore, plastic packaging continues to dominate, whether rigid or flexible. In 2020, plastic packaging represented 94% of the packaging of products for cleaning and maintenance of environments, and there is a constant increase in biodegradable or post-consumer polymer packaging. Among the plastic packaging destined for this sector, plastic bottles dominate, representing 66.5% of the total. Plastiblow, as a manufacturer of extrusion blow moulding machines, has for many years considered itself at the forefront of experimentation and technological innovation proposing electrically operated blow moulding machines that allow:

- repeatability of movements (in the absence of oil, there are no differences in behaviour with varying operating temperatures) - faster cycles and regular and precise movements, therefore increased productivity and reduced production waste - energy consumption reduced to a minimum, therefore lower operating costs - lower maintenance costs - reduction of environmental impact. Thanks to the application of particular technologies and the know-how acquired in decades of activity, Plastiblow has created many blowing machines for this important industrial sector, where more and more often lighter coextruded multilayer containers are required, thanks to an ad hoc design, and eco-sustainable because they use an important percentage of recycled plastic polymers. Among Plastiblow’s recent projects there are, for example, two blow moulding machines supplied for the production of trigger spray bottles, in various sizes, and in 2 layers with the use of post-consumer material. They were equipped with 2 moulds, each with 6 cavities, that allow an hourly production of over 6000 bottles/hour. Several other projects involved bleach bottles, for example machines for the production of 2-liter bottles in 6+6 cavities and machines for the production of 4-liter bottles in 5+5 cavities or 4+4 cavities, mono-layer and co-extruded multi-layer. Various other projects involved the production of bottles for cleaning and maintenance of the house, such as products to remove limescale from the toilet that require bottles with inclined neck to make it possible to reach the most difficult points.

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Enhancing progress & individual strength Tovo Gomma, a solid corporate structure that stands out in the world’s marketplace, from automotive and food, from petrochemicals to construction

ovo Gomma SpA, characterized by a solid and stable corporate structure with a family character, has been operating in the elastomers sector since 1973 and is specialized in the design and production of rubber compounds, vulcanized sheets and foam for the most varied industrial sectors, from automotive to food, from petrochemicals to construction, in Europe and in the world. The productions of Tovo Gomma are divided into three sectors: black and coloured compounds based on the following elastomers: NBR, SBR, EPM / EPDM, CR, NR, IR, IIR, B / CIIR, BR, CSM and HNBR; vulcanized sheets,

Plastics

black and coloured, produced not only with the here above mentioned elastomers but also with FKM and VMQ; foam products, based on EPDM, CR, PE and PVC, supplied in sheets, rolls and profiles (with or without self-adhesive). The mixing plants are completely controlled by PLC, the dosages take place automatically on dedicated plants and the materials are managed to guarantee their traceability. The mixing and dosing lines of the small ingredients are duplicated and redundant, in order to ensure production continuity in all circumstances. For the production of sheets, Tovo Gomma has systems for continuous vulcanization and machines for compression moulding. Tovo Gomma is able to supply filtered compounds in continuous strips. Each compound is checked according to a specific control plan, weighed and adequately stored in warehouse waiting to be shipped, when necessary also in a special airconditioned room. The strengths that characterize Tovo Gomma are the completeness of the range of solutions available, the ability to design and fine-tune products for specific applications, production flexibility and efficiency in all process phases. Tovo Gomma staff, led by a qualified and experienced managerial structure, has a technological laboratory with the most recent and complete equipment for the development and quality control of

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compounds and sheets according to the most varied customers’ requirements and for the study and introduction of new raw materials. Tovo Gomma bases its actions on the centrality of the human being, the enhancement of work in safety as a tool for personal growth and progress of the society, the development of the principles of individual responsibility and competence and sustainable development for the protection of the environment. The company is ISO 9001: 2015 certified and has adopted an Organizational Model in compliance with Legislative Decree D. Lgs. 231/01.

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High performance, efficient and eco-friendly dosing system

Color Service boasts the widest range of dosing systems on the market, offering high-tech solutions for the small ingredients used in different industries like rubber, tire, plastic and cosmetic

eighing raw materials, collecting data, and keeping weighing records may be a timeconsuming and errorprone operation. These requirements have led Color Service to engineer fully automatic systems which solve many of the issues present when weighing powder and liquid products manually, with the aim to abandon traditional production methods that inevitably would not allow to get a safe, fast and precise dosing. Color Service boasts the widest range of dosing systems on the market, offering high-tech solutions for the small ingredients used in different industries like rubber, tire, plastic and cosmetic. In fact, the system is able to guarantee a high

Plastics

production speed and a refined dosing methodology. This makes the production process repetitive 24/7 and reliable, allowing the creation of mixtures of additives with the same specifications and a “zero defects” production. The necessity of uniformity on the finished products is essential for all kind of industries. By optimizing and automating weighing operations, any chance of mistakes or human error is totally removed: the operator is guided by computerized procedures, which ensures superior quality, lower variability and constant uniformity on the batch. Consequently, human intervention is totally confined to the fulfilment of raw material into the storage stations, while the automatic dosing system ensures the correct dispensing of ingredients according to the desired formula to make, reducing to zero the risk factors. Weighing manually raw material can expose operators to the inhalation of hazardous powders, dust and chemical that could be toxic and carcinogenic and even exposure to non-toxic powders on a regular basis might cause respiratory difficulties. Automating the weighing

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phase, the discharge of powders and odors in the environment work is extremely limited thanks to dust extractors under every dispensing point as well as industrial wastages are significantly reduced thanks to the right dosing at the first time. In addition, all the dispersed additives that are aspirated during the weighing phase are recovered and reintroduced into the production cycle with obvious ecological and economic benefits, in accordance with the circular economy production method. The systems are user-friendly, and software is intuitive and easy to use, allowing a quick and easy understanding; after the installation, the company provides specialized technicians to teach the local personnel the professional handling of the machines. The customer is always supported also in the after sales phase, with a 24/7 remote assistance service and scheduled maintenance in order to ensure long term viability of installed systems and production continuity. In light of this scenario, it is straightforward to understand the crucial role Color Service systems play in quality of control, traceability, safety, productivity, efficiency and reduction of costs. This innovation marks a significant progress in the optimization and automation of systems and technologies, as well as representing a new and revolutionary product for the market.

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As flexible as a dancer and perfect in every performance Xelter® TPEs complete Sirmax’s wide range of products find their strong point in their extreme flexibility and ability to adapt to specific client requirements

s flexible as a dancer, just as adaptable, and perfect in every performance. These are Xelter® TPEs, thermoplastic elastomers produced by Sirmax Group, a company that specializes in polypropylene compounds, engineering plastics, post-consumer compounds and bio-compounds for the most diverse applications. Xelter® TPEs complete Sirmax’s wide range of products find their strong point in their extreme flexibility and ability to adapt to specific client requirements. Xelter® TPEs cover a wide range of product families, from Xelter® V (TPV) and Xelter® S (TPSSEBS/SEPS), to Xelter® Tech (“Hybrid & high-tech TPE”), intended for soft components and TPE-Tecnopolymer couplings and for rigid/soft integrations; to Xelter® O (TPO) and Xelter® T (TPS-SBS/SIS) for the development of highly customized materials. The range also includes Xelter® BIO, SEBS-BioTPU hybrids with high elasticity and resistance properties, which can also be overmolded on technopolymers or where a higherthan-normal resistance to abrasion and wear is required. Intrinsically

Plastics

green thanks to their thermoplastic recyclability, Xelter® TPEs are a viable alternative to vulcanized rubber and lend themselves to more sustainable applications across a variety of industries. As part of the Group’s multi-country and multi-product strategy, Sirmax has dedicated an entire plant to the production of Xelter® TPEs: the new site built in Kutno, Poland, which stands next to the previous Polish plant inaugurated in 2006. With an installed capacity of about 10,000 tons/year, guaranteed by 3 industrial lines, Sirmax aims at positioning its Xelter® TPEs at the top of the market for quality and consistency, also thanks to the synergy with Group companies in the United States and Brazil and with the Autotech-Sirmax JV in India. Xelter® TPEs have multiple applications. In addition to the building sector (where they can be used for window frame gaskets, for example) and the household appliance sector (bellows for

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washing machine doors or other water-contact products), Sirmax also offers TPE grades specifically developed for the automotive sector, and for products suitable for contact with food. In addition, the company’s R&D laboratories have developed specific grades of Green Xelter® products that have a reduced environmental impact as they contain selected raw materials from post-industrial and/or postconsumer waste. These products are increasingly in demand and appreciated by the market.

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EXHIBITIONS

K 2022 from 19 to 26 October 2022 in Düsseldorf Global plastics and rubber industry jointly active for climate protection, the circular economy and digitalization

t the start of the K year it becomes evident once again that the plastics and rubber experts all agree: K in Düsseldorf is the most relevant meeting point for the entire industry worldwide. Exhibitors from throughout the world come to Düsseldorf to demonstrate the operational

Plastics

excellence of the industry and actively chart the course for the future together with visitors. And this course clearly leads to climate protection, circular economy and digitalisation – and these are also the three declared guiding themes of K 2022. The open exchange and dialogue on solutions-oriented innovations and sustainable developments

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across national borders and continents will also be in focus at this year’s K in Düsseldorf. It fulfils the ideal prerequisites for engaging in intense global networking and for jointly advancing projects. Because nowhere else is the plastics and rubber industry gathered in one place with such a high degree of internationality. Suppliers from Europe, especially

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EXHIBITIONS from Germany, Italy, Austria, Turkey, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France will be particularly well represented again this year, but also from the USA. At the same time, K clearly reflects the changes affecting the global market: the number and presentation areas of companies from Asia have remained at a constant high for several years now. We can expect impressive appearances, especially from China, Taiwan, India, South Korea and Japan. The approximately 3,000 exhibitors from 61 countries will occupy Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in its entirety. The exhibitor database of K 2022 is accessible at www.konline.com/2410 K 2022 is already now providing pooled expert know-how with its K-Talk. Once a month this digital live talk in English features exciting panel discussions with a changing line-up of international participants dealing with different focal themes but always with a focus on the three guiding themes of K 2022. The first K-Talk, already held on 20 January under the heading “Climate Protection and Plastics – Do they Go Together?” – like all following K-Talks – is still available on-demand. The K-Talk in February will be all about plastics in medicine while the discussion in March is dedicated to mechanical engineering. Launched last April, the online magazine K-MAG targets all

industries related to K and delivers facts, news, stories and trends from the international plastics and rubber industry in German and English all year round. K-monthly is the name of the new Newsletter of K in Düsseldorf. Subscribers not only receive the

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most interesting news and stories from the K-MAG via e-mail on a monthly basis but also current information revolving around K in Düsseldorf and the international trade fairs of the K-Global Gate family of products. Subscription is possible on the K website or the K-MAG.

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

Providing the smartest solutions

Thanks to its extensive experience, Tecno System is renowned in domestic and foreign marketplaces for its turnkey systems and customized solutions ecno System is amongst the leading companies in the development of lines for thermoplastic profiles, producing customized turnkey systems such as extrusion lines complete with molds and integrated on-line or off-line solutions, very appreciated in the domestic and international markets. The company offers its customers a high level of experience, specific and consolidated know-how and constant R&D efforts combined with the professionalism of highskilled team, in order to give clients the smartest solutions. The main focus is to grant the customer satisfaction, which is the linchpin of Tecno System’s mission.

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All products are completely designed, manufactured and tested in the historic plant in Consandolo (Ferrara, Italy) applying very stringent process quality standards and ensuring therefore the full compliance with the European standards about the matter. With Tecno System turnkey solutions all the activities like designing, manufacturing, testing, installing and servicing, training and documenting the products are managed directly, with no need to rely on third parties. This approach has multiple advantages for end customers in terms of management efforts with the possibility to interact with just one referee. The whole project develops in many specific steps. First of all the

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commercial phase where the sales department supports the customer’s requests suggesting the strategic decisions about the investment project, developing different solutions and leading the client to the best one for him. The result is a “custom made” solution which represents a high value-added product, particularly appreciated in Italy and abroad. The project moves then to the design phase where the engineering departments examine and validate the customer tailored solutions, with a special attention paid to energy efficiency, safety, innovation, high performance and other crucial aspects for the final products. The design step is followed by the manufacturing processes that rely on high skilled employees and an excellent network of suppliers, resulting in top quality products with special attention to robustness and reliability. Ultimately there is the testing phase where the testing departments also deal with the final acceptance test in the presence of the end customer. With special care to the prototypes, Tecno System makes available its

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specialized technicians to the final users for training days, both in its plant and in the client’s end plant. One of the biggest selling points is the Tecno System after-sales service where the technical assistance team provides its support to customers any time they need after the delivery of the product, and for any kind of reason. By opting for Tecno System’s extrusion lines clients are able to satisfy different capacity (5-350 kg/h) and a vast range of purposes in the field of extrusion of profiles as pipes, technical profiles, profiles for the building industry, medical tubes, thermal break profiles with fiberglass, etc., made of a great variety of thermoplastic materials such as plasticized PVC, rigid PVC, PP, PC, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PMMA, etc. The lines are also characterized by low energy consumption of the calibrating units and innovative cutting units with radial hot blades. Particular attention is paid to the business of PVC profile extrusion, with the very solid Tecno System’s experience in designing and constructing of high quality extrusion dyes and calibrators for the extrusion of PVC window frames, roller shutters, panels, cable management ducts, gutters and rainwater pipes, etc. Another strength is the construction of dedicated single or multi layer extrusion lines for medical pipes made with medical grade raw materials used in clean room environments (soft PVC, TPU, PEBAX, ect.). Tecno System’s medical tubing extrusion lines are very popular among the customers in Italy and abroad for the high-speed extrusion which is the result of the most recent achievements in automation and mechanics, combined with a close cooperation with raw material producers in order to improve screw geometry.

Another flagship product are the 4.0 ready extrusion lines for multilayer pipe complete with OD/wall thickness control, inkjet printer, and a final semi-automatic single our double coiler. Concerning the innovation factor, Tecno System is recently investing many efforts in the digitalization of its extrusion lines adapting them to the industry 4.0 prerequisites. In this regard the company is getting stronger in innovative 4.0 ready extrusion lines for spiral hoses composed by two extruders, one for U-PVC and one for the soft grade PVC. This high-advanced technology includes different strong points such as a continuous marking of the tubes before they become spirals, a fully automated cutting system and ejection system with any operator during the process. As its clients know very well, Tecno System is constantly focused on maximization of process efficiency and customer satisfaction. Thanks to new 2D scanner the company can now measure and

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digitize any section of the extruded profiles, allowing therefore to optimize in real-time and with extraordinary levels of accuracy the final product directly in the testing phase, according to the technical specifications requested by customers. This means much higher process efficiency, less waste of time and costs due to testing activities for the clients and last but not least easy and fast communication with customers around the world due to “digitized real profiles”. As well as constructing extrusion lines and tools, Tecno System has also the ability to provide in-thehouse technologies for mechanical processing of profiles. Great experience in the punching system ambit allowed Tecno System to develop integrated and customer tailored solutions for extrusion lines, strategic in the company’s market policy. www.tecnosystemfe.it

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Love for nature and quality products Holderhof: All the freshness of the fields in a bottle

Holderhof Produkte turned to SMI for the supply of a new aseptic line for the production of high-quality drinks with a thousand therapeutic virtues

urrounded by the pristine landscape of Lake Constance (Switzerland), Holderhof Produkte, food company leader in the production of fruit juices, turned to SMI for the supply of a new aseptic line for the production of high-quality drinks with a thousand therapeutic virtues. The 8,800 bottles/hour line has been designed according to the most rigorous measures to respect the environment and includes the EBS 4 ERGON rotary stretch-blow moulder for the production of 17 different bottles in PET with different capacities; the net weight filling and capping monobloc for liquid products; the LSK 30T ERGON shrink wrapper for manufacturing different types of packs in film only, tray only and tray+film; the palletizing automatic system from the APS 1550 P ERGON and SWM line supervisor. SMI solutions for Holderhof At the bottom of the success of Holderhof Produkte AG there is a deep love for and great attention paid to nature and to the quality of the final products. There is no reason to doubt the quality of a product that is 100% natural, which results from the use of excellent, organic, raw materials, subject to scrupulous controls, from the gathering, to the production, and the distribution to the consumer. To satisfy the various tastes of the latter, the Henau-based company continuously develops and introduces new products, marketed under its own brand or for third parties, both in Switzerland and in the rest of the world. The aseptic line solution provided by SMI, starts from these considerations: from the need to have an extremely flexible system, to process the many products offered by Holderhof, and from the importance of having hitech production systems, that preserve the surrounding natural environment.

Plastics

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Main advantages: – Solution for an aseptic bottling line including: rotary stretch-blow molding machine for the production of a large number of bottles of various capacities; net weight filler; automatic shrinkwrapper to produce various bundles in film-only, tray-only or tray + film configurations and an automatic palletization system to process different palletisation schemes. Net weight filling and capping block of liquid products – High flexibility to quickly switch from one bottle to another. Considering the production speeds, the customer could have chosen between rotary or linear stretch-blow moulding solutions. Holderhof Produkte opted for SMI’s EBS E ERGON rotary technology, because it offers the advantage of being more flexible in the production of various types of bottles, of different capacities, which require frequent format changes. – EBS E ERGON stretch-blow moulding machine with extremely versatile preform heating oven: it can process different types of PET or rPET preforms. In fact, the Swiss company is increasing its use of preforms made largely with recycled resin – The SMI solution for stretch-blow moulding of containers adopts eco-compatible technologies, such as the twostage air recovery system, which ensures a significant reduction in energy consumption and related costs – Filling with weight dosing technology: the ideal solution for filling sensitive products such as juices and syrups – Reduced and simplified maintenance operations, which also make it possible to optimize the consumption of washing liquids during the cleaning phases of the system – High flexibility, both in the secondary packaging of the more than 35 formats processed by the LSK 30T ERGON shrinkwrapper and in the tertiary packaging created by the APS 1550 palletiser, which allows to quickly

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

switch from one pack format to another and from one palletisation scheme to another – Simple and quick management of work programs by the machine operator and scheduled maintenance interventions – Reduced energy consumption, which is a “must” for Holderhof Produkte AG, particularly demanding in adopting solutions that protect the surrounding environment – Simple and intuitive management and control of the production line, thanks to the POSYC® HMI system dedicated to monitoring line operation and controlling product flow and conveyor speed – Continuous supervision of the bottling line, thanks to the SWM supervisor system, which ensures rapid and efficient monitoring of line operation, even remotely via smartphone and tablet – The SWM Supervisor control system, developed according to Industry 4.0 and IoT principles, combines the typical production data collection and monitoring functions with a series of tools to simplify the control and management of the plant and improve its productivity and safety and cost containment In a bottle... All the freshness of a meadow The history of this company starts with the graduate thesis in agriculture of Christof Schenk about elderberry wine. The interest in this product led him to found Holderhof Produkte in 2000. Today the company employs 25 people and, in addition to elderberry, cultivates currants, raspberries, herbs and berries and produces a wide range of products, including elderberry syrup, refreshing drinks, fresh juices, fruit wines and energy drinks. The great attention paid to the surrounding environment and the desire to protect it from future contamination have influenced the company production choices and are key factors for success. The quality of 100 % natural production results from the use of excellent, organic, raw materials, that undergo accurate controls, from the gathering to the production and distribution. In order to meet the different consumers’ tastes, the company has been developing and introducing new

products, marketed under its own brand or for third parties in Switzerland and in the rest of the world. The aseptic line solution supplied by SMI starts from Holderhof’s need to have an extremely flexible plant to process the different products of its own range and have high-tech production systems, that preserve the surrounding natural environment. The Holderhof elderberry plantations Elderberry trees provide the raw materials that Holderhof Produkte AG needs for its products. The fruit syrups are made with organic, natural, fruit juices, made with fruits from the plantations located between Lake Constance and the Toggenburg district and in which dozens of farmers work. The hand-picked harvest, of flowers and berries, is the most time-consuming work, but at the same time ensures a high, quality raw material. Only a few hours pass between harvesting and processing, a fundamental aspect to guarantee

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Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

natural, fresh, tasty, quality products. For centuries, elderberry, together with chamomile, has been one of the main remedies of herbal medicine, appreciated for its wealth of beneficial properties, especially with regards to its antibacterial and antiviral functions. The medicinalherbal properties are mainly contained in the fruits and flowers. From the processing of this plant, both the elderberry syrup of the same name and decoctions, herbal teas and cosmetic preparations are obtained. The flowers can be harvested between May and June, while for the berries you have to wait until the end of August when they are fully ripe. Ripe berries reach

Plastics

an almost black colour, very similar to blueberries, while if they are red, they have an unripe taste and can also be irritating. An immense open-air garden that looks to the future In the Swiss canton of St. Gallen, near the spectacular Lake Constance, an international area spanning Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, everything is surrounded by immense, rolling hills and extensive fruit plantations. The Holderhof Produkte AG company is located in the heart of this fairy tale landscape, where nature and modernity coexist harmoniously and where the love for art, hospitality and “joie de

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vivre” come together in a single environment. This area of Switzerland is home to numerous companies operating on a global scale, many of which, such as Holderhof, are leaders in their industry. Dominating this extraordinary Swiss territory, is the famous Lake Constance, a body of water worthy of protection, surrounded by lush vegetation, with plantations of fruit trees and vines that extend as far as the eye can see; a territory to be savoured, in the slow rolling of its sweet hills, where villages with ancient charm are hidden, witnesses of a distant history. Glimpses full of charm, in which nature and its rhythms have always been the protagonists.

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EXHIBITIONS

PLASTPOL turns in the spring of 2022 One of Europe’s most essential events crafted around plastics processing and converting returns to Targi Kielce on its traditional date; save the date for the March edition. The XXVI International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing PLASTPOL, follow its many-year tradition: the expo is the focal point for the latest technological advancements and the most exciting market offers

lastics turned out to be the silent hero of the pandemic times. In 2019, the general prediction held that people would globally switch to products made of paper, glass and textiles. In the meantime, plastics have reassured their position; not only are plastic materials suitable for the mass production of economical, light products. Most importantly, this is a perfect choice for sterile packaging and products in the basic necessities domain. This positive unveiling has clearly triggered the public’s perception change of plastic. For a quarter of a century, the Kielce PLASTPOL Expo has been Central and Eastern Europe’s focal meeting point for business insiders, the dialogue platform for domestic and global companies active the plastics processing and rubber sector. The latest machines and cutting-edge technology

Plastics

solutions from leading industry concerns are presented in Targi Kielce’s expo halls. Many of them are strict commercial secrets until the trade fair opening. Companies

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from Europe, including those from Portugal, Germany and Switzerland, but also from outside the old continent, including representatives of Qatar and

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EXHIBITIONS Iran, join the expo to present their offering. PLASTPOL is much more than machines and purchase offers. The expo abounds with meetings, seminars, training courses. It thus offers the opportunity to hold face to face meetings and exchange business and professional experiences with field with experts from all corners of the world. This year continues the many-year tradition of seminars prepared by PLASTECH-INFO, which features the latest development in plastics processing technology. There are also business meetings, including the opening, annual press conference organised by the PlasticsEurope Polska association. This is the presentation of a report on the global plastics markets’ development. The expo organisers find this gathering a perfect opportunity to disseminate knowledge, and thus they have also prepared a series of training and presentations on the broadly defined plastics industry. PLASTPOL - an opportunity to compete OMNIPLAST, a part of the PLASTPOL, is aimed to disseminate and popularise knowledge of plastic processing and the related processing technologies. The competition returns to the agenda of the International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing’s events. The competition is targeted at all companies exhibiting at the 26th International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing PLASTPOL held from 24 to 27 May 2022. The three best participants will receive prizes of the total value of 12,000 PLN. This year’s PLASTPOL will also witness the presentation of the Targi Kielce Medals and distinctions. A jury panel composed of specialists and industry experts will choose the best product. In addition, awards and distinctions will also be granted for the best expo stands and tradefair presentation techniques. The awarding ceremony is held during the Platinum Plast gala ceremony. The Targi Kielce’s International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing PLASTPOL is held from 24 to 27 May 2021 and looks forward to seeing you. More information can be found at: www.plastpol.com and on the Linkedin Profile: https://www. linkedin.com/showcase/plastpolfair

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Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

The drive to innovation

Innovation and change continue to push Bruno Folcieri’s business towards new goals to be achieved

Plastics

rowing turnover, structural investments and corporate reorganization are the drivers that have characterized the 2021 activity of the Bruno Folcieri company. Innovation and change continue to push business towards new goals to be achieved. The market, which is changing rapidly, has involved the Italian company and its directors in an important organizational rethinking strategy at all levels. After in-depth analyzes, and also for logistical needs, a new building of about 6,000 square meters, adjacent to the existing headquarters, has been acquired for the best diversification of the production layout. It will allow to improve the control of order progress and warehouse management. The plant equipment has also been further increased: in fact, the arrival of a new numerical control milling machine is expected, a machine identical to the one purchased in 2020, which will allow the production of pieces that require accurate and precise processing for the realization of high-quality granulation systems, with relative implementation of the CADCAM office which allows to program the machine.

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Automation rhymes with organization, the corporate one, which is being implemented in the same way, at all levels of function, in the name of a general efficiency that streamlines and improves the workflow. “A project that began 3 years ago with the aim of improving efficiently the company organization at all levels - says Esmeralda Zoppi, head of the reorganization process together with her father Ezio - 2021 was a very good year, excellent levels of turnover and market coverage, we have supplied the most strategic players and we expect to do even better. If we look at the export quotas, the countries from which we have obtained the greatest gratifications are: Asia, which historically is not a very

easy market to conquer, Australia and the continuous confirmation of the US market where we are more and more increasing our business. The Industry 4.0 plan, which provides for the presence of software and management programs for interconnected production, which our machines can be equipped with, was also an important driving force for development, especially in Italy.” Among the scheduled activities there is also participation in the next sector fairs such as: GREENPLAST, an Italian show dedicated to plastic recycling, that will take place in May in Milan and the K fair, the quintessential fair for plastics, which will open its doors in October in the Düsseldorf exhibition center. Perspectives and innovations aside, the company is growing following the values and tradition of all time: from a solid artisan reality to a technologically advanced industrial reality.

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Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

Lawer, the industrial factor Lawer products, solutions and services supply the rubber, tire, plastic and food industries to increase reliability, safety and efficiency

ounded in 1970, Lawer is an Italian company that specializes in industrial weighing systems. It has developed advanced technologies and know-how in the automatic weighing of powder products, including pigments, additives and chemicals, as well as single- or multi-weighting systems, and equipment for the preparation of compounds, fillers, masterbatch, handling and packaging systems. Its products, solutions and services supply the rubber, tire, plastic and food industries to increase reliability, safety and efficiency. At the basis of all the production of the rubber industry are the recipes of the compounds. Complex formulations, expertly constructed with the contribution of many substances, whose quantities are rigorously predefined. The qualitative constancy of the final product therefore depends on the ability to feed the machinery of the mixing rooms with perfectly weighed doses and capable of perfectly respecting the proportions of all the required ingredients: raw materials, additives, dyes and much more. And this is where the competence and technological capacity of Lawer come into play. Observing an ongoing trend among manufacturers to automate mixing rooms to improve product quality, safety, and hygiene, Lawer launched the second generation of its fully automated dosing systems for compound and masterbatch preparation. SUPERSINCRO is a horizontal automatic weighing system for chemicals used in the mixing room. It is a custom project that feed different materials, stored in silos, hoppers, big-bag and interchangeable silos, in a variable size bag produced automatically. Comparison to the first generation SUPERSINCRO V2 includes: • Higher productivity. Output up to one bag every 30” • Higher accuracy. Up to a tolerance of ± 0.1 gr • Higher repeatability. CPK more than 1.67 • Higher OEE. Overall Equipment Effectiveness • Higher flexibility. Custom project configuration, variable bag size, and bag management till the mixing line. • Less labour involved in the daily production • Environment respect. Latest component version that helps to reduce the equipment footprint consumption.

Plastics

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EXHIBITIONS

Plastics Recycling Show Europe returns to Amsterdam 22-23 June 2022 he Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE), the panEuropean exhibition and conference dedicated to plastics recycling, returns to Hall 12 at the RAI Amsterdam, The Netherlands on 22-23 June 2022. “The free-to-attend Plastics Recycling Show Europe conference and exhibition is the focal point of plastics recycling in Europe,” said Ton Emans, Plastics Recyclers Europe President. “Now in its sixth edition, PRSE is a must-visit event to discover all the latest technical and commercial developments and stay up to date with the legislative landscape of our industry.” The Plastics Recycling Show Europe is designed specifically for plastics recycling professionals. It brings together key players from the plastics and recycling sectors to showcase

Plastics

innovative technology, share best practice, network and do business. A broad cross-section of the industry is represented at the event including plastics recycling machinery and equipment suppliers, plastic material suppliers and compounders, preprocessors, plastics recyclers, waste management specialists and industry associations. Over 180 companies and organisations from across Europe have already signed up to exhibit at what is set to be by far the largest PRSE show to date including: Aimplas, Berry Global, Bollegraaf, Ettlinger, Evonik, FIMIC, Kraton Polymers, Krones, Milliken, NextChem, Pellenc ST, Starlinger, Veolia and Zen Robotics. Recycled polymers supply organisation Poly to Poly is Platinum event sponsor, while Avient, BASF, BB Engineering, EREMA and Tomra Sorting are silver sponsors.

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The latest trends in the plastics recycling sector will be explored in depth throughout the freeto-attend two-day conference, which provides a holistic view of the whole plastic recycling value chain, drawing together political leaders, major brands, recyclers and the plastics recycling and manufacturing industry. Conference sessions will cover the latest political and legislative developments in plastics recycling in Europe. Materials focus sessions will explore the challenges, issues and opportunities within the sector for mechanical recycling, covering PET, PVC and Technical Plastics, polyolefin waste streams, polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) recycling. The winners of all seven award categories at the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2022 will be announced at the event on 23 June and all finalists will be showcased in the exhibition. The hybrid event in June will allow people unable to visit the event in person to view elements of the two-day conference programme via livestream, including the announcement of winners of the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe. Online-only visitors will also be able to interact directly with exhibitors. Register to visit at: https://www. prseventeurope.com/

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A dedicated test centre to guarantee excellence Customer service and the experience of Gamma Meccanica researchers to find customized solutions in the new Test Center of the company

o meet the customers’ needs and to ensure precise and complete answers, the Italian company, Gamma Meccanica S.p.A., specialized in design and production of recycling lines for plastic materials, has decided to expand the internal lab and testing capabilities. The new structure will be set up to test the

materials supplied by customers and to verify the quality of the processes. The companies interested in this service will have the possibility to test on different “pilot lines” the material they want to recycle. This will allow the customer to get all the useful data for the purchase of a line, to know the best quality they achieve, and which production can be guaranteed. For many years, the company has had its own internal laboratory to give customers the opportunity to test the materials they want to recover and to evaluate the type of system that best suits their needs. Furthermore, the laboratory allows firms to test new materials and for the technical staff to continue developing lines that are increasing performance based on the needs of the market. Over time, the number of tests has become so high that the company decided to invest by purchasing a new factory where the new Test Center will be set up and dedicated technical staff will be added. In the new laboratory there will be several lines for the exclusive use of tests, including a “configurable” GM 90 Tandem line and a GM 90 Compac line. The Tandem line will be dedicated to test heavily printed, contaminated and high humidity plastic materials. It will be a line with many sensors to store data on operation and process according to the different types of material. The basic model will consist of: conveyor belt with metal detector, cutter-compactor with feeding screw, primary extruder, screen changer for the first filtration, high performance degassing chamber and an adapter that will allow the creation of two different solutions. In the first case it will be possible to connect to the first extruder a second single screw extruder, another screen changer, pelletizer and weigh system. The other configuration includes a secondary twin-screw extruder: in this way you will have the Tandem PLUS model which in addition to the recycling process allows you to enrich the material giving it an added value (upcycling).

1 & 2: Some tools to analyze the recycled materials with Gamma Meccanica lines

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2 There will also be various accessories: roll feeder, dosing units for higher bulk density regrind materials, dosing units for master, melt pump, device for high vacuum pumps with water recovery tank, condensers, lateral dosing units (in the case of the Tandem PLUS configuration), TDA 4.0 pelletizer, 3-way vibrating screen and in-line viscometer. Along with the Tandem line there will also be a GM 90 Compac line for less contaminated materials coming from post-industrial waste. This line will consist of: conveyor belt with metal detector, cutter-compactor with feeding screw, extruder with L/D 35:1 ratio, automatic screen changer, TDA 4.0 pelletizer and weigh system. This model will be equipped with many options in comparison to a standard model, such as: roll feeder, bypass for ground materials with higher bulk density,

dosing system for master, powder dosing system and a 3-way vibrating screen. For materials that have high fluidity such as PET, PA etc.… the tests will be carried out with the new TI 2.3 Underwater pelletizer that Gamma Meccanica has recently redesigned to recycle these types of materials. The new Test Center will be equipped with all the tools to analyze the material and when necessary, to improve its characteristics. It will be possible to perform these tests: moisture tests to measure the humidity contained in the material, density tests, rheological tests, melt flow index tests to measure the fluidity of the material, Intrinsic Viscosity tests on PET, calorimetric tests, thermogravimetric tests and roast tests to determine the quantity of impurities in PET flakes.

Recycling line GM90 Compac model for less contaminated materials coming from post-industrial waste

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EXHIBITIONS

Packaging Speaks Green 2022: the third international conference on sustainable packaging The conference on sustainability in the packaging supply chain will be back in person during IPACK-IMA and GreenPlast rom 3 to 5 May, the world of sustainable packaging will meet in Milan for Packaging Speaks Green, the international forum on sustainability in the packaging supply chain which will be back as an in-person event in the Fiera Milano exhibition centre in Rho. The conference will be held in conjunction with IPACK-IMA, devoted to processing and packaging technologies and GreenPlast, which focuses on the plastics and rubber industry. Panel discussions, debates

Plastics

and presentations of case histories by prominent opinion leaders, industry stakeholders and institutional speakers will be held during this edition of the forum, which will present new tools and methods for the design, use, recycling and reuse of sustainable packaging. The sessions held during the threeday forum will explore these trend topics: food & beverage, pharma, beauty & chemicals and plastics & recycling. Packaging Speaks Green 2022 is organised by Pack Media, a leading publisher in the world of packaging, with the support of UCIMA (Italian Packaging Machinery

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Manufacturers’ Association) and AMAPLAST (Italian Plastics and Rubber Processing Machinery and Moulds Manufacturers’ Association). The first edition of the forum hosted 35 international speakers, 450 participants from twenty countries and 40 accredited journalists. Following its success, the brand has been launched as a web magazine exploring the theme of green innovation. A shortened version called “Pocket” was presented at MEAT-TECH in 2021. In 2022 Packaging Speaks Green will be back for an exciting new edition focusing on new tools and methods for the design of sustainable packaging, barriers to its development and strategies for bringing about change while dispelling some of the false myths associated with the world of sustainability.

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

BD Plast, an attitude for innovation

More than 35 years of innovation, development of ideas and proposals for state-of-the-art solutions have defined BD Plast’s approach to the market

Plastics

iltration systems are crucial components for extrusion plants and for polymer recycling, which, in their turn, affect the quality of the final product and the efficiency of the whole production process. BD Plast supplies OEM’s as well as end users worldwide with a wide range of products composed by: manual and hydraulic screen changers, downstream extrusion components (adapters, elbows, melt pipes, static mixers, diverter valves, strand dies), continuous flow and fully automatic back-flushing screen changers and accessories (hydraulic power units, support carts and platforms, hydraulic die changers). Thanks to these screen changers’ versions, BD Plast is able to supply specific solutions in order to process every kind of polymer while maximizing the production and minimizing material’s waste. In 1986, in Bondeno, a small town in Ferrara’s province, Bruno Boicelli, his son Dante and his daughter-in-law Clarissa Frazzoli founded BD Plast. Since the beginning, the company

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has been involved in producing and selling screen changers for polymer extrusion lines. This allowed the company to consolidate its position in Italy through their technology. More than 35 years of innovation, development of ideas and proposals for state-of-the-art solutions have defined BD Plast’s approach to the market, with an attitude for innovation of their systems and oriented at responding to the various changes in the production context. The Emilian company now employs about 50 highly trained and qualified employees, capable of contributing to the growth of the company through the design and construction of new lines of machines and products such as adapters, elbows, and melt pipes, consolidating important international partnerships and enhancing the service, intended as a real added value for maximum customer satisfaction. “Ours is a reality that does not work through upheavals, but follows a logic of continuous improvement and, in this sense, we are also working on traditional systems to make them economically better and safer. We

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

have a complete line of reliable and very high-quality screen changers, guaranteed by the internal mastery of the entire process, from the design of the machine to the assembly at the customer - said Dante Boicelli, CEO of BD Plast - We build about 1400 systems at year, and this also requires us an extraordinary effort for our technical department, which is concentrated in making products of different sizes and highly customized.” “We have also grown a lot in terms of IT and customer services, using new telematic tools to reach companies

and End Users in difficult moments, such as the one due to Covid-19 pandemic – added Dante Boicelli - the engineer Stefano Gallieni, our new general manager, is favoring the generational transition by guiding the company towards a medium-industrial dimension and offering, to those who choose our expertise, a high-level service and consultancy, in order to analyze and solve any type of problem that arises within the production process, in a rather complex and evolved market, such as today’s.” BD Plast has reached the third generation of management and still employs the founding family. Ms. Frazzoli always led the administrative area with the utmost attention and, since 1988, has started the IT evolution of the company, bringing it today to the daily use of software and IT technologies best positioned in the Magic Quadrant. Dino Boicelli, Dante’s and Clarissa’s son, after a degree and a master’s degree in business administration attended at Università Cattolica in Milan, joined the company and is dealing with marketing and commercial areas. Current BD Plast’s leading product is the self-cleaning filtration system Clean Changer©. Many Clean Changers have been in operation for about 2 years by various Italian manufacturers with full customers satisfaction. One of

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the strengths of this system consists in the ability to carry out the selfcleaning cycle with particularly low back pressures. Added to this is the fact that it is a continuous flow equipment in which, unlike what happens with other types of filtration equipment, the replacement of the filtering elements takes place without stopping the extruder, thus avoiding waste of time and waste of materials. Furthermore, in the Clean Changer©, the replacement of the filtering nets takes place with the automatic ejection of the breaker plates, allowing easy replacement of the filter element and further saving of time. The highest back flushing efficiency allows up to 300 cleaning cycles before the next screen replacement.

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EXHIBITIONS

At Pharmintech 2022 the future of Life Sciences industries Contents and events of the special edition “powered by Ipack Ima” presented in Milan n March 10th, 2022 a press conference was held with previews of the special edition of Pharmintech powered by Ipack Ima, the international exhibition dedicated to processing and packaging technologies for the pharmaceutical, parapharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, medical device and biotechnology industries scheduled from 3 to 6 May in Milan, Italy. The event will take place concurrently with IPACKIMA, which at Fiera Milano showcases excellence in processing & packaging for the food and non-food industries. The conference was attended by Sergio Dompé, Executive President of Dompé farmaceutici and President of Pharmintech powered by Ipack Ima 2022, who comments, “The pandemic has shown that technology and research can give great acceleration to

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Life Sciences, turning health into the milestone of growth. If we will manage to leverage the historical opportunity of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, giving priority to competitiveness and merit and avoiding the dispersion of resources, Italy and Lombardy can multiply the success stories capable of competing on a global level. However, we must focus on two fronts: cutting-edge research and interdisciplinarity, because it is through synergies with the world of artificial intelligence, digital and material sciences that the most innovative solutions will emerge. In this context, Pharmintech is an important hub capable of accelerating the entire ecosystem through the meeting between the pharmaceutical industry and the world of research and universities, as well as providing an opportunity for suppliers of advanced technologies and solutions to compare”. The speech by Giorgio Bruno of AFI, after reiterating the importance of the positive synergy between trade fair

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operators and technical-scientific organizations active in the chemicalpharmaceutical field, highlighted the importance, in a strategic perspective, of the relationship between the Italian leadership in the production of pharmaceutical technology and the return to an important international event such as Pharmintech, with which AFI has been collaborating for several editions for the coordination of technical-scientific contents. Concerning contents and events, the conference was attended by the main partners of the event who anticipated the themes that will enrich an exhibition panorama with over 150 companies specialized in the Life Science sector. Alberto Bartolini representing AFI outlined the elements of the opening event of Pharmintech scheduled on 3 May. The focus will be on the world of healthcare, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, nutritional supplements and the cosmeceutical market, with an emphasis on regulatory convergence and supply chain management. Lucia Ceresa for PDA presented the conference entitled ‘Smart Factory: Industry 4.0 applications in parenteral manufacturing’, scheduled for 5 May, which will bring together equipment manufacturers, technology providers and pharmaceutical companies in a debate on digitalization and

innovation with significant case histories and applications. Enzo Lacchini anticipated the contents of the conference proposed by ISPE, in collaboration with Confindustria Medical Devices, which on 6 May will explore the paradigm shift in the sector, in the light of the new Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and the new In Vitro Diagnostic Device Regulation (IVDR). Lastly, Gian Paolo Crasta of UCIMA focused on the sustainability of consumer goods supply chains, the main theme of “Packaging Speaks Green”, a forum organized by PackMedia in collaboration with UCIMA and AMAPLAST, which from 3 to 6 May will host a panel of experts, institutions and companies to discuss the relationship between the circular economy and the strategic role of the entire packaging supply chain in various industrial sectors, including Pharma, Beauty & Chemicals. The organizing team composed of Valerio Soli, President of Ipack Ima, Domenico Lunghi, Director of BU Private Label, Pet & Food Pharma Industry of Bologna Fiere, and Rossano Bozzi, CEO of Ipack Ima, did the honors. They outlined the profile of an important edition of IPACK-IMA which, together with Pharmintech, has already consolidated the presence of over 1,000 exhibitors and is set to be the most important international meeting point for the industry in 2022.

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Pharmintech - whose 2022 edition will be organized by Ipack Ima Srl thanks to the agreement signed with Bologna Fiere Group - has been strategically positioned in Hall 2 with the aim of enhancing the specialization in “Pharma & Nutritional”, “Beauty & Personal Care” and “Chemicals & Home Care” and, at the same time, amplifying the synergies between different exhibition segments that represent IPACK-IMA’s competitive advantage. As revealed by the Pharmintech Business Monitor in collaboration with MECS, the international life sciences community is experiencing a moment of strong change, with a jump of 13.3% in 2021. This represents a vigorous recovery after the very subdued growth of only 1.1% in 2020. Over the 2021/2025 period, the Observatory forecasts an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The appointment with Pharmintech and IPACK-IMA at Fiera Milano, from May 3 to 6, 2022, is therefore the ideal moment for international operators to discuss innovation and new production and market prospects, thanks also to the conjunction with the exhibitions Print4All, Intralogistica Italia and the new Greenplast concept that, together with Ipack-Ima, are part of the Innovation Alliance, the most important supply chain project for instrumental mechanics. www.pharmintech.it

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EXHIBITIONS

Kick off for drupa 2024 In 2024 the international print and packaging industries will again meet at drupa, the world’s leading trade fair for printing technologies. As of now exhibitors can register online at www. drupa.com in order to present their innovations in Düsseldorf, Germany from 28 May to 7 June 2024. The deadline for registrations is 31 October 2022.

drupa is the global meeting place for the industry and stands for innovations and trends,” emphasises Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf. “Here we will see what impact the mega trends sustainability and digitalisation will have on processes, products, business models and the future of a constantly evolving industry.”

“

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Focus on topics of the future drupa will showcase cuttingedge technologies along the industry’s entire value chain with a special focus on future and crossindustry technologies. Against this background, topics such as circular economy, automation, print/ finishing 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, the platform economy and connectivity will play a central role in the conference agenda and at the special forums.

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New key visual and new claim drupa 2024 presents itself with a new, dynamic look and feel for the start of exhibitor applications. “The new motion design of our key visual combines classic graphic design with state-of-the art digital technology and is synonymous with dynamism, motion and especially with water as the most important resource on our planet,” explains Sabine Geldermann, Director Print Technologies Messe Düsseldorf. “It also visualises the top themes digitalisation and sustainability which drive the print & packaging industries, confront them with new challenges but also offer excellent opportunities. International faces represent the target group of drupa which is looking forward to networking in a fascinating atmosphere characterised by diversity. The organic structures

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stand for aesthetics, design and the beauty of nature. The new claim ‘we create the future’ underscores the clear commitment of the community to jointly and proactively participate in the continuous development and design of the sector. And it represents thought leaders as well as high-quality knowledge transfer.” New exhibitor brochure sustainably produced drupa is equally committed to the topic of sustainability – which is also successfully reflected in the new exhibitor brochure. Using state-of-the-art technology as well as environment-friendly resources this brochure was produced in a

sustainable and climate-neutral way. The digital version can now be downloaded at www.drupa.com. Forums for interaction and dialogue At drupa 2024 there will once again be a high-calibre lecture programme by top international speakers offering a valuable knowledge to stay competitive. At the drupa cube and at various touchpoints focusing on the segments Packaging, Textile and Sustainability participants will gain detailed insights into relevant topics and impulses for growth potential as well as the further development of their business models. Start-ups will be hosted at “dna – drupa next age” using this opportunity to

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showcase their innovative services and ideas to a highly international and interested audience. Outlook on events in the industry Numerous international trade shows will also be held in 2022 as part of drupa’s global portfolio: printpack alger in Algiers (16 – 18 May), PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION (22 – 23 June), Indoprint in Jakarta (31 August – 3 September), PackPrintPlas Philippines in Manila (6 – 8 October), All in Print in Shanghai (11 – 15 October) as well as PackPrint International and Corrutec Asia in Bangkok (19 – 22 October). For more information about these trade fairs please visit: www.drupa.com/en/drupa_global

Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

High-quality engineering and customization

Vibrowest Italiana offers the plastic industry a comprehensive product range suitable for air pelletizing, strand pelletizing, o-ring water and under water pelletizing, as well as grinding, regeneration, and recycling

ibrowest Italiana S.r.l., a leading manufacturer in the sieving industry and technology, is one of the biggest companies in terms of engineering and customization, always guaranteeing high quality and matching every customer’s requests, by providing all sorts of certifications and after-sales assistance and by creating a personalized global service. Vibrowest offers a range of products dedicated to the plastic industry, suitable for air pelletizing, strand

Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER pelletizing, o-ring water and under water pelletizing, in addition to the grinding, regeneration and recycling. Some applications in the plastics industry are: compound - master batch - regeneration - recycling solid/liquid separation - long fiber. Vibrowest products for the plastic industry: - Circular Vibrating Sieve MR The circular vibrating sieve MR are used in the plastic industry to separate long shape parts, oversized parts, and dust from 3×3 pellets. Thanks to their flexibility and multiple functions the MR models are always able to provide a solution to all separation and filtration-related problems. - Rectangular Screener VRU The rectangular sieve VRU are used to separate long shape parts, oversized parts, and dust from 3×3 pellets. - Rectangular Screener VRU HYBRID In addition to the same advantages of separation and easy cleaning, the VRU Hybrid is able to cool and/ or condition the material through a fan. - Rectangular Screener VRU-RE The rectangular screener VRURE are used to eliminate dust from the pellets for high-capacity applications and they can also be used to separate different sizes of PET-HDPE-LDPE flakes. - Elevator Spiral Track EVS The lift spiral series EVS is indispensable in the transport of all the materials that need to be elevated in height, cooled and/or heated. For over sixty years, Vibrowest has been a leader in the production of a wide range of separation and screening machines. Vibrowest production team manufacture and assemble all its equipment on site at its factory in Italy before it is shipped worldwide. The Made in Italy gives the warranty of highquality standards. Vibrowest technical staff, thanks to many years of experience in the sieving process, is here to provide the best solutions with the help of lab tests at its headquarters in Solaro (MI) - Italy. For more information visit the website: www.vibrowest.it

MARCH 2022................................................................

Plastics

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EXHIBITIONS

RecoTrace™: the multi-polymer data collection system Plastics Europe encourages its members to promote RecoTrace™ to their value chain partners

ecoTrace™, the multi-polymer data collection system to record data on both European plastics recycling volumes and recycled plastics, is now recognised by the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA). Thanks to data collected through RecoTrace™, PolyREC® – the value chain association, that monitors, verifies and reports on European recycled plastics, now recognised as an official CPA data collector, and of which Plastics Europe is member – will report on the progress of the entire European plastics value chain towards the CPA target of 10 Mt recycled plastics use by 2025. Plastics Europe is now calling on its members to help promoting RecoTrace™ to their value chain partners. By recording their recycled plastics data, recyclers and converters ensure transparency of the circular movement of European polymers. Understanding the size and dynamics of the European recycled plastics market will help inform future legislation and investment decisions that accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Press Release: PolyRec launches RecoTrace™

Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

RPE SRL, solenoid valves manufacturer With almost 50year experience, RPE designs, develops and manufactures high-quality products and creative solutions

Plastics

PE designs, develops and manufactures high quality solenoid valves, flow meters, pressure reducers, filters and fittings for a wide array of industries and applications. RPE has almost 50 years’ experience in the industry, offering its products worldwide. RPE is proud to be ISO 9001:2015 certified and compliant with international food and electrical certifications. RPE’s leading assets are its continuous Research & Development and the flexibility to customize products to customer’s requirements and specifications. This company is continuously working in the development of new products and creative solutions for a wide variety of applications, including professional food equipment, coffee & tea machines, beverage

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& filtration systems, medical & dental solutions, sanitary applications, commercial cleaning equipment, marina applications, irrigation systems, steam machines, household appliances and hot tubs & spas. Discover RPE by application: Professional food equipment: RPE’s solenoid valves have been developed and are used in combisteam ovens, ice & vending machines, steamers and warewashing equipment. Coffee & tea machines: RPE solenoid valves, flow meters, pressure regulators and filters are used in espresso machines, coffee & tea brewers and dispensers. Beverage & filtration systems: the solenoid valves, designed for water & beverage dispensers and vending machines can have 2 or 3 inlets. As they have been specifically designed for handling 2 or more different types of liquids such as

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER sparkling and tap water, cold and ambient temperature water. These valves are also used in filtration and reverse osmosis systems, providing flexibility and reduced dimensions for small equipment units. Medical & dental solutions: RPE entire product range, from an inlet valve to fluid control components, such as flow meters, pressure regulators and filters are a perfect fit for laboratory equipment, dental chairs, professional sterilization machines, bedpan washers and disinfecting equipment. Sanitary applications: RPE R Mini & Micro Series solenoid valves are widely used in electronic faucets & flush valves and 800 Series has showed great results and extraordinary features on automatic soap dispensers. All of these valves are characterized by their reduced size, extreme performance and resistance. The use of high-temperature polymers ensures strong quality life under the complex and extreme conditions found in sanitary applications. Commercial cleaning equipment: customized solutions for floor scrubbers, sweeper-scrubbers, carpet cleaners & extractors, floor machines for the professional and DIY cleaning industry. Marine applications: RPE’s unique assortment and broad configurations make RPE products a reliable and essential solution to supply water in boat docks and marinas, as well as for sanitary applications in boats, cruise ships and working vessels.

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Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

Italian excellence in the field of flexographic printing machines at Print4ALL Bfm, present in the field of machinery for plastic materials since 1975, has been able to grow over the decades to become, today, a leading company in this field, from take off units and automatic winders for extrusion blown film lines, to flexographic printing machines with central drum up to 10 colors and stack type up to 8 colors

Plastics

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mportant for the Varese-based company is the partnership with company Luigi Bandera, world leader in the field of extrusion, for which bfm produces take off units and automatic winders to complete the extrusion lines. Thanks to the experience gained in over 45 years of business activity, a goal reached in 2020, the company has achieved excellent results in the acquisition of customers all over the world, with a significant presence in the Italian market. In the stack type flexographic printing field, the latest news is “SIRIO S PLUS” The machine, already presented last November at an Open House at the bfm headquarters, will be reproposed on early May at “Print4ALL”, the next exhibition on the world of packaging, held at Fiera Milano from 3-6 May 2022 with some news linked to energy saving, as well as the possibility of printing with water-based inks. Simultaneously with the exhibition there will be the opportunity to see the new Flexo Press “In operation” at the new bfm plant, built next to the pre-existing one and inaugurated in 2020 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the company. Sirio S-Plus is a high performance 8-color stack type flexographic printer, which guarantee excellent results and high-quality printing on different materials from

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

plastic to paper, for various fields of application, flexible packaging for food, clothing and pharmaceutical. Particularly versatile, it allows to print various flexible plastic materials: HDPE, LDPE, PP, PET and also of bio origin, in line with bfm’s commitment to global sustainability. During the exhibition all the technological innovations of the machine will be illustrated, including high print quality, energy saving, efficiency and productivity thanks to easy and precise job changes, great flexibility of use, thanks to the ability to process polymeric materials of different types and finally, a compact layout and modern design. Like all bfm machines, the Sirio S-PLUS model is also suitable for being connected to the network and allows to take advantage of the expected benefits and resources allocated by the National Industry 4.0 Plan, which has as its purpose the digital transformation of companies. The machine will be presented with an automatic unwinder with hydraulic levers for reels up to a maximum diameter of 1000 mm. As an option, it is possible to request the revolver application. The machine is equipped with a double head oscillating web guide system for perfect centering before entering the printing units, where each counter-printing cylinder will be controlled by independent servomotors. The printing units are complete with plate and anilox sleeves, both of which can be quickly replaced directly in the machine thanks to the cantilever system. The Sirio S-Plus is equipped with Easygear and automatic print pre-setting, thanks to these features job change can be carried in total safety. The printing groups positiong takes place completely automatically thanks to the positioning motors supplied by Bosch Rexroth, which allow you to switch from pause to work mode very quickly and precisely. The main advantage of this application is undoubtedly the possibility of storing production jobs.

Plastics

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Doctor blades are closed chamber type, equipped with a basin for the ink recovery, while the quick change of the blades and side seals optimizes cleaning and maintenance phases. Sirio S-Plus also mounts 2 servo-motorized nip rollers, one at the entrance for 8+0 color productions, and one positioned in the center of the machine and useful for 4+4-color jobs. The drying system is equipped with 3 centrifugal electric fans, 2 of which for the delivery of hot air and one for the extraction of fumes. A drying box is positioned in the center of the printing unit when using the machine in 4+4 configuration. The temperature is controlled by an automatic thermoregulation system, with the advantage of reducing consumption. In the “nip-roll” section are installed 2 cameras for front/ back control of print quality. Then there is the winding section, revolver type, with automatic reel change and cutting, for reels up to 800 mm in maximum diameter. bfm finally remains waiting for you from 3 to 6 May both at its Stand H 26 - Hall 9 on the occasion of the “Print4 ALL” Fair and on its premisers to present you its latest news.

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

Caldara Plast: Italian compound for the new green plastic Caldara Plast’s production field is being expanded as to further increase the company’s production capacity as to meet the customers’ ever-increasing demand for regenerated material

Plastics

ew year new me, they say. For Caldara Plast the year 2022 opens with interesting news: the brand-new company’s website has finally launched, in its English version too, after being on renovation throughout 2021. The new website is more efficient, user-friendly and accessible also via mobile devices and it has been enriched with contents related to the company as well as to the characteristics of the plastic materials it works with. The graphic is simple but effective and it reflects the company’s idea. Another relevant aspect is a video, directed by a famous moviemaker, that we decided to shoot in order to show the process of transformation from a plastic waste to a whole new resource, mostly to explain to stakeholders every phase of our daily work. What does Caldara do? Placed in the heart of Brianza, Caldara Plast has been active since 1963. It started as a small family business specialized in recycling plastic materials, now it has grown into a medium-sized company and

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a reference point in the field of processing, regeneration, and trade of thermoplastic compounds in granules, able to create tailor-made products based on the costumer’s requests for both the Italian and international markets, where it gained popularity in these latest years. With its 50 employees and counting, its constantly growing turnover although the difficulties due to the pandemic, Caldara Plast counts two headquarters and a warehouse: in Erba, we can find the Recovery Division specialized in management and recovery of different types of post-industrial plastic materials in Alzate Brianza (Como) the Compound Division specialized in the production and trade of plastic compound, with particular attention to technical polymers. The main polymers produced are sinLAC ABS – sinBLEND PC/ABS – sinCARB PC – sinSTYR PS – sinMID PA6 E PA66 - sinTRON PPS – sinPOM POM – sinGLASS PMMA – sinKRYL SAN – sinTER PBT. The overall production has been enriched by the line “Caldara 2nd LifeTM” dedicated to the granules resulted from recycled material, “Plastica Seconda Vita” and “Global Recycle Standard” certified. The products available for this line are: • “PSV Industrial Waste”, granule composition 60-70-90% from recycled industrial waste in compliance with Italian UNI 10667 standards (ABS - PC – PA - PC/ABS, PS, PBT, PMMA, POM, PPS, SAN). • “PSV from Separate Collection”, granule composition 60-70-90% from recycling from separate collection in compliance with Italian UNI 10667 standards, including post-consumer ABS, PS, PET. • “PSV Mixeco”, minimum granule composition 30% from recycled material in compliance with Italian UNI 10667 standards; it includes all products available in the “PSV Industrial Waste” and “PSV from Separate Collection” versions. • “The “Global Recycle Standard” type includes compounds resulting 100% from recycled plastic or with a part of regenerated plastic - from

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

1% to 99%, available in the following types: PA, PET, ABS, PS, PMMA, PC, PC/ABS, SAN. 2022 prospects and goals Over the next few months, Caldara Plast’s goals include the reorganization of its production field. This change will be necessary because the company has acquired a new warehouse - next to its Alzate Brianza headquarters - which in the near future will be partly upgraded and partly demolished and rebuilt. At the end of the necessary work, the new establishment will work on twinscrew extruder lines. This prospect will allow a further increase in the company’s production capacity as so as to meet the ever-increasing demand for regenerated material from customers. It will continue the collaboration with Planet Bioplastics, a spin-off of the University of Pisa of which Caldara Plast is the industrial partner. The start-up primarily deals with researches on bioplastics to ensure, thanks to Caldara Plast, that these products can be used at industrial level transforming them into disposable or semi-durable products with a lower environmental impact. Moreover, the collaboration with Velaworks, a start-up linked to the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Padua, continues for the production of PA6 halogenfree with green additives obtained from by-products. The shortage of raw materials has partly slowed down the production planned but

in the coming months the company expects to industrialize the product continuously. Caldara Plast wants to tell stakeholders how plastic is a versatile material, recyclable and reusable countless times in the production process, thus reducing the environmental impact. In 2018, the global plastic production was nearly

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360 million tons (Mt). The recycling of plastics allows a reduction of up to 90% of CO2 emissions compared to its production. Caldara Plast’s mission is to give a second life to a waste that today can no longer be considered a second choice but the first choice of companies that care about the environment. www.caldara.it

Plastics

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EXHIBITIONS

New at K 2022: the START-UP ZONE Newcomers showcase innovative developments and ideas for the plastics and rubber industries tart-ups are young, creative, flexible and particularly stand out with their innovative solutions. So what better fit for K 2022, The World’s No. 1 Trade Fair for Plastics & Rubber, than to offer a dedicated presentation area to newcomers specialised in the development of innovative products and solutions revolving around plastics and rubber? And this is precisely what K 2022 will be doing with their STARTUP ZONE to be found in Hall 8b of Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre at K from 19 to 26 October 2022.

Plastics

At present, young companies can still apply for participation in the START-UP ZONE thereby using the unique opportunity of presenting themselves and their developments and making international business contacts with a high-calibre expert audience from all over the world at this the most important trade fair for the plastics and rubber industries. Basic requirements for participation in the START-UP ZONE include: • Company no more than 10 years old • Headcount below 100 • Annual turnover below EUR 10m

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Already registered for the START-UP ZONE are Plastship from Germany, a European marketplace for recycled plastics to promote the circular economy online and offline, HEALIX from the Netherlands, the company collects nets, ropes and other plastic waste based on synthetic fibres to recycle them into high quality circular polymers for the global production supply chain, HAGE 3D from Austria, this start-up produces large format industrial 3D printers, and the developers of ENLYZE from Germany offer companies a software solution to perform quality control already during the manufacturing of a product.

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

A brand standing out in the market The new Automa by Magic machinery charismatically confirms the renowned solidity of the products that have always distinguished it in over forty years of activity

veryone can recognise its name. The union of two historic names in the blow moulding world market, Automa and Magic MP, set up a new company more than three years ago. Automa by Magic was established in October 2018 and it is dedicated to the production of brand-new hydraulic extrusion blow-moulding machines either with continuous extrusion or accumulation technology. Over this period, the several customers’ requirements have led to a revenue that has considerably grown over these years followed by

Plastics

the doubling of company’s staff. Everything is evidently extraordinary for this new and young business venture. Automa by Magic is aimed at all those companies and operators faithful to tradition; therefore, its machines have been designed to be easy-to-use and their maintenance is within the reach of many. Automa by Magic products are made of high-quality materials and components, modern and reliable electronics combined with a simple and performing software. Its technology was born among a network of highly qualified and experienced manufacturers building modern systems that are 100% inhouse tested before proceeding with the delivery to the final customers and it lets this company always be ready to support them and to greatly contribute to the successful realisation of any kind of project. The new Automa by Magic machinery charismatically confirms the renowned solidity of the products that have always distinguished it in over forty years of activity. Automa by Magic means solidity combined with modernity and technology. More than 20 machines have already been produced. Case histories of this period include the manufacture of several different types of continuous extrusion machines, with single or double station, together with some

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accumulation head models with a clamping force up to 50 tons. The most specific productions record the use of resins as clarified PP, polycarbonate used for the production of 19 liters/5 gallons water containers and most common HDPE. Some systems have also been set up in COEX 3 version, to meet and comply with latest demands of sustainability and reduced environmental impact, by using recycled material (PCR) within layers of virgin. All this in multicavities, for high efficiency and productive capacity of very low weight containers. Automa by Magic keeps taking care also of all after-sales services such as the supply of original spare parts, timely technical assistance to support end user’s maintenance team in any moment, EBM machines complete refurbishment and the installation of brand-new PLC systems designed by our skilled Engineers, complete with its own studied software, known as UNIKO 2.0®. UNIKO 2.0® is a functional solution, which can be customized and applied to any brand of extrusion blow moulding machine, either with continuous or alternate extrusion technology. Up today, more than 90 PLC retrofits have been carried out on several EBM machines worldwide. Experienced and skilled technicians also perform important revamping

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER at Automa by Magic premises, enhancing old systems with more than adequate costs. This is how the old machines resume their productive life allowing the customer to obtain reliable productions and amortizing investments in a short time. If required, it is also possible to recertify systems that have been overhauled by Automa by Magic becoming EC marked again according to the Machinery Directive, since safety is the first component of in-house produced or overhauled machines. Automa by Magic takes advantage of a vast automatic warehouse in order to guarantee the availability of widely used spare parts. All mechanical parts are produced by various loyal local suppliers according to manufacturer’s original drawings and designs, to assure manufacturing and delivery times as quick and short as possible. In the course of last year, a historical period during which the entire world has been invaded by an unexpected pandemic emergency, there has been a sudden increase in requests for Automa by Magic brand-new machines, as well as machines refurbishing and new control systems updates to be carried out at customers’ premises, according to their requirements and specific needs. Automa by Magic has proactively and dynamically responded to this demands increase and successfully met all customer’s necessities and satisfaction in the short term.

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Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

Think in ‘big’ and undertake big challenges ORP is engaging with important studies in thermodynamics centres to create a moulding solution that will revolutionize its/ their sector in terms of energy consumption and production capacity RP Stampi has developed into one of the major Italian manufacturers in the Rubber Valley district, the study, construction, realization of moulds pertinent to the elastomer part processing. Constant expansion is currently underway in Plant 1 (HQ in Viadanica), with its second production plant active since 2018, and slowly but surely increase also of its already 70 employees. Such ‘great steps’ also force to think in ‘big’, and undertake big challenges, especially for a company that caters for only moulds, is forced to face/confront a huge organization, careful organization along with planning pertinent to procurement, raw materials, components, mechanical and electrical accessories.

Plastics

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Over fifty large machines generate considerable consumption on a daily basis. For years ORP Stampi has been energy producer with the photovoltaic system, where it is able to guarantee good amounts of savings and in the short term, the heat emanating from its machinery will be channelled, and will self-heat its work environments. Reducing consumption means reduce energy costs, a precious asset, which must be treated as such. When we talk about moulds in ORP Stampi, it is now customary to include in addition to the raw material or steel, also various equipment for automation, mechanics, cooling / heating and injection systems of all kinds. Precisely for all these elements of daily consume, the theme of renewal in the transformation

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

of elastomers in the district can give great support to the community. Support that should arise autonomously within each company without waiting for legislative or local impositions. When ‘called into question’, ORP Stampi morally and technically tries to abide in the best possible way, to reduce and where possible eliminate unnecessary waste. Technically it means: usage of the best seals, thus eliminating those steels and components, perhaps more comfortable and easier to work with, but “secondary” which over time are less durable Poor quality or improperly treated material means rework or replacement = pollution. Stable moulding solutions, Cold Channels designed to last over time with different compounds and not an end in themselves and to a single project. Mould design: that aims at the precision of a moulded article and also at the life span of the mould, the mould design must always be balanced and never to its limit. Last but not least, is the study of heat dispersion in the plates, often the moulded technical articles need a thermal stability and a maximum difference of 1-2°C, stable throughout the moulding cycle. The choice of steel, combined with the innovative systems ORP Stampi technology applied to the individual plates, are able to guarantee correct homogeneity for its the moulds and overall satisfaction towards its customers. Year 2022, for many considered “the year of the restart”, for OR.P. Stampi a year of in-depth studies and important collaborations such as the one started with the Politecnico di Milano and Circular Economy, the feasibility study of the TERMO-RENT project. A rental formula for moulding equipment such as a Cold Runner Block. An economic effort for ORP Stampi that will offer a great return to customers and maybe a little break also to the environment around us. At ORP Stampi the study and research in recent years has seen the involvement of overseas suppliers and collaborators as well as its internal R&D dept. From these, advantageous results have also emerged in terms of compound savings and reduction of friction from the part, once installed in its final application. It is no coincidence that several seal users, through its

Plastics

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customers, approached ORP Stampi to talk about MOULDTEX. The reduction of friction in dynamic seals will be essential, having tested it and simulated hundreds of compound for different solutions and applications. ORP Stampi’s customers, the ones who are already looking in that forward thinking direction, in the next five years, feel ready to respond to the new needs of the market and will make a difference before others. ORP Stampi, like them, and together with them, knows how important it is to be first. The latest GREEN innovation / initiative that ORP will present to its customers, will be generated, designed and developed exclusively for their productions. ORP Stampi knows only too well how much the cost of energy is now a primary cost. Hence for such reason, ORP is engaging with important studies in thermodynamics centres to create a moulding solution that will revolutionize its/their sector in terms of energy consumption and production capacity.

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

Filtec: the perfect example of innovation and sustainability Filtec is committed to a greener future and guarantees every customer the perfect solution

Plastics

orn from the mind of Gianfranco Baracco, and today managed by his son Giovanni Baracco, Filtec has been a leader in the plastic material processing for over 29 years. The strategic organization, the passion of its workers and the will to constantly improve allowed the company to become a fundamental player and commercial partner for many different clients all over the world. But Filtec is not satisfied by being only a supplier: its target is to be the perfect solution for every customer and every need. Filtec range of highly customizable products allows the granulation of plastic materials, including the more fluid ones that can be an obstacle for less technologically advanced machines. The Underwater and Water Ring systems are surely Filtec’s showpieces, but not less important

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are the vertical and horizontal centrifuges, screen-changers, vented vibrating screens and water filtering/ cooling units. Moreover, this year Filtec has decided to enrich its historical range of products, according to the market changes and evolution. Compact, easy to transport and excellent for producing minimum batches of material: the UW LAB is Filtec new machine. The structure and operation of the UW LAB are the same as those of a normal underwater pelletizer: therefore, all the advantages that are derived from a normal-sized UW can be found in the UW LAB but condensed into much lower dimensions and management costs. Suitable for any space, this new system guarantees reduced energy consumption, obviously without losing the efficiency and excellent performance of its “big brother”. The UW LAB has a maximum production capacity of approx. 40kg/h. It has been specially designed for particular needs such as carrying out laboratory tests, researching new materials and producing small quantity demonstrative batches. Furthermore, the UW LAB, as per Filtec tradition, can be customized in order to adapt to every need: from the connection flange to the die plate, up to the colour of the machinery itself, so that it can stand out or homogenize itself to your system. Along the range of technologically advanced machinery, Filtec has invested also in innovations regarding software tools: the new CRM tool for the commercial offices

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER and the PDM tool used by the tech department are fundamental instruments. They have led the company into the industry 4.0, allowing it to develop even more and expand its influence. Finally, Filtec has decided to completely renovate its look. The new year will not only bring brand new machines and new ways to simplify their usage, but also a modernization of the longstanding logo and website. Filtec recognizes the importance of offering a fresh and modern look, to attract new partners and, at the same time, to prove to the loyal clients that the company follows intently the development of the market not only in terms of technology and innovation, but also of aesthetic and renovation. Both the new logo and website are simplified and intuitive with modern design and customer-friendly interface, all to show the focus of the company on being the best partner it can be. This is a year full of innovations, but Filtec always shows its commitment to a greener future. Indeed, Filtec took the opportunity to teach the process of granulation and the recycling of plastics to children in first grade, to ensure that the good practices are transmitted among younger people and future generations. Filtec is also a funding member of the project Are You R, a community first born on Facebook and that can now count on almost 40.000 followers. The community shares the latest articles about technological advancement on the subject of recycling and about the results of these advancements. Not only that, but thanks to the YouTube channel they are able to reach an increasingly younger audience and transmit the culture of reusing products, so to reduce waste. But be aware, that plastic is not the enemy. This is one of the objectives that the project Are You R and Filtec have in common: that is, to realize that plastics are all around us and are very important materials, that need to be treated and processed in the right way. The increase in the usage of food and products delivery, electronic commerce and Personal Protection Equipment like surgical masks correspond to the increase in the production and consequently disposal of plastic packaging. For these reasons it is important for companies, whether big or small, to invest in new ways to optimize the processing of plastic materials. These are the reasons why Filtec can consider itself an essential protagonist of the current market, and its will to evolve and develop will allow it to stay one for many years to come.

Filtec will exhibit at:

MARCH 2022................................................................

Plastics

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

Binova Plastic Machinery: 2006 – 2022 16 years of achievements and approvals

inova was founded in 2006 and springs up taking immediate advantage from the many years’ experience, developed in the field of the plastic materials extrusion, of its Chief Executive Luigi Maria Borzoni and the associated company Tecnova, who involve in their project a team of employees of great capacity and skills. For almost 6 years, Binova has gained a full strategic autonomy, financial and industrial, in order to face present and future challenges with a strong responsibility in the decision making and in full control of its development process. Main straight has always been the capability to develop plants studied on purpose to satisfy the customer’s exigencies. The flexibility and the persistent willpower of innovation allowed Binova to compete and

Plastics

counteract competitors famous all over the world with consolidated structures. The first big project that Binova faced is dated 2008, when an important French company purchased a 4.000 kg/h recycling and compounding plant for polypropylene. The same customer, during these last ten years, committed to Binova the revamping of an existing single screw plant and the manufacture of other two for 1500 kg/h of production (the

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latest delivered end 2015). This is only one of the proofs that, once a customer meets Binova, does not find a simple plant manufacturer but even a partner always available to examine the most suitable solutions to improve and enhance his production potentiality and the quality of the material produced. Another strong point of the company is the efficient after-sales service that gives the customer the possibility to benefit of a wide availability of

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spare parts in case of need and a focused technical assistance. In addition, all the plants manufactured in the last eight years, are equipped with an Ethernet connection that enables the possibility to control, and eventually correct, remotely, the productive process of the plant. The most recent projects put in evidence once again, the willing of the company to effort the market and its trends, with more and more advanced solutions, such as: • A plant for an important French customer, for the recycling and compound of ABS and PS scraps with the use of a 92-48 L/D corotating twin-screw extruder, equipped with continuous double filtration, for the production of highquality pellets. The plant can reach an hourly production of about 1200 kg, based on the characteristics of the processed material. • A plant for the compound of scraps of polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene, with a production capability of 1500 kg/h, equipped with co-rotating twin screw extruder EBB92/44LD and compactor, installed by an important Spanish company that, after having considered any possible alternative available on the market, chose

Binova as partner for this investment. The company was supported by the consultancy of an important research and development foundation, qualified in the analysis of products and processes and their technical and economical feasibility.

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Binova will celebrate its sixteenths year of activity being proud of having acquired an important order backlog, and to have in deal at least three important and exclusive projects that will hopefully become concrete within the end of this year.

Plastics

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EXHIBITIONS

Fakuma 2021: Inspiring plastics live! 1470 exhibitors from 39 countries came to Lake Constance for the first major international on-site event for the plastics industry he 27th Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing celebrated an inspiring restart in Friedrichshafen from the 12th through the 16th of October, 2021. 1470 exhibitors from 39 countries came to Lake Constance for the first major international on-site event for the plastics industry this fall, and presented injection moulding, extrusion technology, thermoforming and 3D printing on a worldclass level Overall emphasis was placed on the issues of sustainability, circular economy and recycling. “We’re back! Finally an on-site trade fair again with innovations you can actually handle!” This is what everyone was saying at this year’s Fakuma 2021 in the exhibition halls in Friedrichshafen. After the compulsory one-year hiatus, the event was held live again from

Plastics

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12 to 16 October. 1470 exhibitors from 39 countries showcased their innovations covering all aspects of injection moulding, extrusion technology, thermoforming and 3D printing on 85,000 square metres of overall exhibition floor space. The fact that 40% of the exhibitors came from outside of Germany substantiates Fakuma’s great significance all over the world, especially in these exceptional times: “For the companies in our industry sector, Fakuma is one of the most important industrial trade fairs of all,” notes Annemarie Schur, Fakuma project manager at trade fair promoters P. E. Schall. “Fakuma was even more important this year. On the one hand because on-site trade fairs only became possible again in the fall of 2021, and on the other hand because the issues of environmental protection, circular economy and sustainability are an enormous task that

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EXHIBITIONS we all have to tackle.” This is why Fakuma 2021 also set itself the goal of making a significant contribution to pioneering, forward-looking solutions. “Now we want to look forward to the future together,” said Bettina Schall, trade fair organiser and managing director of P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG. “Fakuma is the ideal platform for tackling the current challenges faced by the industry. Record figures and superlatives don’t matter this fall. The only thing that counts is that we all cooperate to get this restart going and carry on with our work.” “I’m delighted that something like this is possible again,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Bastian, Institute director of the SKZ in Würzburg, at the trade fair’s opening ceremony. In his technical presentation to an auditorium full of trade press and guest listeners, he pointed out impressively what needs to be done in the industry: “We have to take more responsibility for what happens with plastic.” Martin Bastian made a passionate plea for the cause of plastics: “We have to ensure that plastic isn’t just accepted, but rather used with enthusiasm as well. And we have to do a lot more to educate people about its benefits,” says Bastian. “We have to be present in the schools and kindergartens and make it clear that the energy transition will never be possible without plastics.” The plea voiced by Dr Thomas Probst, keynote speaker of the German Federal Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management (Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung), who offered an exclusive look behind the scenes of

the recycling industry and spoke about hurdles and difficulties in recycling, was no less emphatic. “As perceived in general, plastics are not understood,” is the insight he arrives at. The exhibition halls in Friedrichshafen were very well frequented right from the first day of the event. Interested expert visitors were able to gain an impression of the latest developments and perspectives for concrete solutions in the field of plastics processing. “Many tradition-rich global market leaders have made use of the crisis to advance their innovations. The trend towards digitalisation is accelerating. Cross-company concepts have been developed for the establishment of a circular economy for plastic products. Every crisis presents opportunities too, and many a clever mind is taking advantage of them,” confirms Sandra Füllsack as well, managing director of Motan Holding GmbH and spokesperson for the Fakuma exhibitor advisory committee. “As a business platform for innovations throughout the value-added chain, Fakuma 2021 was once again the ideal venue for presenting new products and technological solutions, as well as for discussing trendsetting issues.” Extremely practical and with high levels of professional competence, and at the same time in a friendly atmosphere – this is how exhibitors and expert visitors regard the unique and highly esteemed industry event. The next international trade fair for plastics processing, namely the 28th Fakuma, will take place from the 17th through the 21st of October, 2023.

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Plastics

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EXHIBITIONS

70 years of K in Düsseldorf – a world career made in Germany! Now online: the anniversary in historical pictures and stories he same year that saw Queen Elizabeth II ascend to the throne, the first artificial heart valve implanted in the USA and the musical “Singin’ in the Rain” inspire millions at the cinema, history was also made in Germany with the inaugural edition of K, hosted in Düsseldorf from 11 to 19 October 1952. At that time nobody suspected this event only just taking off would develop into the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry. Today, K in Düsseldorf can look back on a success story of 70 years. It is the most relevant information and business platform of the plastics and rubber industry worldwide. Its position as the leading trade show for the entire industry, where theme leadership and innovation go hand in hand to pave the way for visions for the future, is undisputed. On no other platform is the internationality as high as in Düsseldorf. For K 2022 from 19 to 26 October around 3,000 exhibitors from 61 nations are expected and the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre is completely booked. How it all started However, K in Düsseldorf also started small once: the debut event “Wunder der Kunststoffe” (Miracles of

Plastics) in 1952 registered 270 exhibiting companies – exclusively from Germany. They occupied approximately 14,000 square metres of net exhibition space. At the premiere 165,000 visitors marvelled especially at the colourful consumer goods exhibited by plastics processors. Because from 1952 to 1959 K Düsseldorf was purely a showcase of the German industry. Any interested visitor, be it a layman or specialist, was admitted to visit the trade fair. Major attractions on show were products designed to make life more beautiful and convenient. Today, we smile at the advertising of that time, which was also aimed at the “modern housewife” and introduced her to such post-war achievements as trendy PVC raincoats or sheer nylon stockings - aesthetic epitomes of the economic miracle. The more the plastics industry specialized and high-tech plastics for special solutions in electronics, medicine, automotive or aerospace attracted attention beyond standard polymers, the more specialists visited the trade fair. In 1963 the break was made: K in Düsseldorf became a special-interest only trade fair of international standing. Since then it has maintained its position as a leading global trade fair for the entire industry. 2019 saw over 220,000 trade visitors from almost 170 nations travel to K on the Rhine River.

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EXHIBITIONS

The international origin and composition of exhibitors will also guarantee the completeness of the product ranges and a comprehensive overview of the world market at the upcoming K in autumn. Nowhere else will they find such a wealth of innovations, and no other trade show will provide such a variety of impulses for the future of the global plastics and rubber industry. Event’s own microsite: immerse yourself in 70 years of K in Düsseldorf Before K 2022 even opens its doors, there is already an opportunity to get in the mood for the trade show’s anniversary. We are celebrating K with its own microsite, inviting you to delve into seven decades of K history and to smile and marvel at historical photos and stories. Embark on a travel through time with us at https://70years.k-online.de/en And if you like to share your own personal K story with us, anecdotes, encounters, funny or astonishing things, please feel free! This is possible any time via LinkedIn or simply get in touch with our press team. MARCH 2022................................................................

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EXHIBITIONS

Productivity gains and climate neutrality through digitization • Greater productivity through data analysis • Digital transformation contributes to climate neutrality • Digitization is an automatica core topic here is potential to further increase productivity even in automated p r o d u c t i o n . Digitization is the key word; smart data analysis provides the tool – and the environment benefits as well. At automatica, which will be held at Messe München exhibition center from

Plastics

June 21 to 24, 2022, visitors will get to see impressive use cases. It almost seems too simple to be true: Take a modern, extensively automated production facility, collect data from various robots, handling systems, and machines and evaluate this data. When combined intelligently, this information has the potential to increase output by 15 to 25 percent

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without any additional investment in hardware. This is not wishful thinking, but a reality. And such use cases will be exhibited at automatica. They illustrate what ‘digital transformation’ really means and what benefits it offers. Greater productivity through smart data analysis Example: A German car manufacturer collected and analyzed data from its almost 400 robots deployed in the body-inwhite shop at one of its plants, and then used algorithms to correlate this data with environmental information – even including weather data. The findings were

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EXHIBITIONS

insightful and, among other things, led to changes in the welding parameters for joining hot-formed steel. The result: An increased hourly output from 18 to 21 car bodies. The perspective: In the future, such data is intended to be used in plant self-optimization or to detect imminent faults. Downtime minimization for 2,500 welding robots A second example is another body-in-white shop application at a premium car manufacturer and involves automatica exhibitor Festo. Its systems specialists installed additional software on the robot cell’s existing plant PCs that collects diagnostic data from the welding gun and sends it to a cloud interface. The cloud runs a maintenance application that doesn’t just display this data in the browser on a maintenance dashboard, but also estimates the expected remaining service life using artificial intelligence. With the help of this predictive maintenance system, the car manufacturer was able to

reduce welding robot downtime by 25 percent. Digitization: the robots are ready What does it take to unlock such efficiency gains? This question will be answered at automatica. In any case, the automation ‘hardware’ is already digitization-enabled. For example, it continuously collects data while welding, picking, assembling, and handling, thus creating the ‘raw material’ of the digital world – and a substantial amount of it. Peter Pühringer, Managing Director of Stäubli Robotics: “Our robots provide all the data required for AI-based tasks and self-optimizing systems in real time. Our six-axis robots can continuously provide around 2,000 different pieces of information, including operating temperatures of each axis, speed and acceleration values, torques, and much more.” This large amount of data not only enables users to monitor the robot performance and integrate it into digital predictive maintenance concepts. The data can also be passed on to other machines and

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integrated in higher-level IT systems. And today’s robots are equipped with the interfaces requires for that. A matter of interfacing Interfacing requires standards such as OPC UA, a protocol used for communication across machines. Fanuc uses a wide variety of communication protocols such as OPC UA and MTConnect servers, both at fieldbus level and to interface with higherlevel IT systems. The Japanese robot manufacturer also supports industry-specific protocols such as UMATI, which is commonly used in metal-cutting production. Among other things, it enables direct interlinking of machine tools and robots. Open interfaces also play a role in the development of KUKA’s new robot operating system and digital ecosystem. They are at the core of efforts to ensure that iiQKA enables everyone to access the world of automation—whether expert or not. The operating system is based on a modular software architecture. Developed by users for users, the new system software

Plastics

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EXHIBITIONS will make robot deployment faster, more efficient as well as accessible and easy to use for all. Usability is its core value. Smart data evaluation – on site and in the cloud As such concepts become a reality, users must also set up the appropriate IT infrastructure along with automated production facilities. What that means specifically: They will have to use edge computing and cloud computing as very large amounts of data are involved. And – as illustrated by the use cases outlined above – they will have to use artificial intelligence to comprehensively evaluate the data. Those who consistently invest in digitization will be rewarded— for example, through significant efficiency gains. The vision is as follows: Products find their own way through production facilities. Machine components automatically detect and report wear and irregularities. And plants optimize their operation independently. This unlocks highly automated production of small series and unique products at greatly reduced cost – just to give another example. And that is part of Industry 4.0’s core concept.

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Digital transformation contributes to climate neutrality Volker Spanier, Head of Robotic Solutions at Epson, points out another aspect: “According to a study by the Bitkom industry association, digitization in production, if implemented consistently, could reduce CO2 emissions in Germany by up to 64

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megatons by 2030 – a huge step towards climate neutrality.” So this entire topic could hardly be more exciting and holds enormous potential in many respects. This is where automatica in June 2022 comes in: In Munich, visitors will learn how digital transformation will change automated production in the years to come.

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EXHIBITIONS

Cosmopack, the cradle of new trends Cosmopack is the cradle of industry trends: a reference point for discovering the most advanced industrial solutions, which will be the basis for the restart of the industry in the coming months osmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2022 will remain consistent with the pre-pandemic editions, with over 2,700 companies confirmed to date, coming from 71 different countries: the exhibition area will comprise 34 pavilions, including 26 Country Pavilions. Cosmoprof represents the renaissance of the cosmetic industry and its evergrowing global community, with over 30% of exhibitors attending for the first time or returning to Bologna after a few years of absence, pleasantly impressed by the ability of the event to renew itself and adapt to new business tools. After a two-year hiatus, coming back in person at Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, following the necessary safety protocols, will resume conventional commercial activities by discovering new products and establishing new business relations. The event currently features the attendance of buyers from more than 80 countries.

Plastics

Cosmopack: This is where the new trends are born The transformation of the cosmetics industry begins with the supply chain. This is demonstrated by Cosmopack, the only fair that hosts all sectors of the supply chain - contract manufacturing and private labels, process and packaging machinery, primary and secondary packaging, applicators, ingredients and raw materials. Cosmopack represents an important stage of visibility for professionals: the 2022 edition will host 7.5% more exhibition space, with 20% more new companies attending for the first time and involving exhibitors from over 30 countries. The event is the cradle of industry trends: a reference point for discovering the most advanced industrial solutions, which will be the basis for the restart of the industry in the coming months. In particular, the presence of an area specifically dedicated to leading companies supplying machines, lines and solutions for the production process and product control, makes

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Cosmopack unique and different from all other international competitors. Buyer program and cosmoprof my match: Tools to facilitate supply and demand To offer a fitting program of visits and dedicated services to international operators, Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna has increased investments in the Buyer Program. This project aims to favour the exchange between supply and demand. Thanks to the Buyer Program, buyers, retailers, and distributors can receive support and indications to better organize their experience at the event and discover the most valuable products and services to develop their business. Managers, importers, distributors, wholesalers belonging to all represented sectors and distribution channels can participate in the Buyer Program. For 2022, thanks to special projects with media partners and trade associations, the presence of Italian and European large-scale retail chains and perfumeries will be encouraged, as well as distributors and importers from the area of Middle-East and Gulf countries. To optimize the experience at Cosmoprof and organize business meetings beforehand, Cosmoprof My Match is the digital match-making platform created by Cosmoprof. The service has constantly evolved, and today it offers live chat and virtual tools that facilitate networking between company and operator. Cosmoprof My Match and the Buyer Program offer a double service to professionals. Exhibitors have at their disposal a virtual showcase to present

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EXHIBITIONS

product launches and to invite the most qualified and valuable operators to their stand for the development of new collaborations. At the same time, visitors from worldwide can play an active role in the purchasing process. They can select the most suitable brands and suppliers for their business, discover the main trends worldwide, and get inspired by the most innovative proposals present at Cosmoprof. Initiatives to facilitate international attendance Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna has always been the preferred observatory for international stakeholders to discover the evolution of the cosmetic industry. The exhibitors of the 2022 edition will bring trends and innovations from around the world back to Bologna, with over 2,700 companies representing 71 countries. To facilitate the presence of buyers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers from the main markets, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and International Cooperation and ITA - Italian Trade Agency are offering strategic support. Thanks to the funds provided for the extraordinary Made in Italy promotion plan, Cosmoprof will guarantee a hospitality program and specific services for selected operators. The green corridors established in recent months to support the internationalization of the Italian trade fair system will allow foreign buyers and exhibitors from safe countries to reach Bologna in a facilitated way under a derogation on the quarantine. Finally, the recent approval of the decree-law - allowing the secure access of international operators from non-EU countries with vaccines other than those approved by the EMA - will further encourage the return to Cosmoprof in person. All the details are available on the Italian Ministry of Health website. Why attending the exhibition in person - special projects 2022 In addition to a top-quality exhibition offer, with the world’s leading market players, Cosmoprof offers a rich content calendar built with trend agencies and consumer behaviour analysts. From Thursday to Saturday, operators and professionals will access CosmoTalks, with its exclusive and current contents. Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna will become the ideal observatory to learn about the situation in the beauty market and predict its evolution, thanks to the contribution of experts from all over the world. The usual appointment with CosmoTrends, the report exclusively curated by the internationally renowned trend agency BEAUTYSTREAMS, finally returns. Starting from the future trends that are already transforming our daily lives, the BEAUTYSTREAMS experts

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will analyse the proposals of the Cosmoprof exhibitors, highlighting the most impacting topics to date and what will be the developments in the coming months. The report will be a strategic tool for the press, buyers, trend scouters, and influencers to discover the most innovative proposals. BEAUTYSTREAMS will also curate the Cosmoprof & Cosmopack Awards project, celebrating the most innovative proposals, the best performing services, and the beauty products with the most significant impact on consumers. The Cosmoprof & Cosmopack Awards are a highly coveted recognition in a field that involves all sectors of the cosmetics industry. After two years of virtual product launches, the Awards are the best showcase to highlight the industry’s research, innovation, and creativity. The Cosmoprof Awards will give recognition to the best proposals for the finished product; the innovations of the production chain will be the protagonists of the Cosmopack Awards. CosmoFactory, the initiative born within Cosmopack, represents the true essence of the event. It brings the entire production process of a cosmetic product into a physical set-up: from the creation and development phase to the formulation, from the filling solutions to the new packaging proposals, up to the selling process in retail and the consumer experience. The eighth edition of the project will develop the concept of diversity, a characterizing element of the evolution of society in a multi-ethnic and multicultural key. The protagonist of the 2022 initiative is “Six4all” - a foundation that combines a neutral base with six shades of colours. A skilful mix allows you to create a specific product for each skin type. The centdegrés design agency will curate the installation. A unique example of a fully functional production chain recreated within an exhibition space, CosmoFactory is a hymn to know-how and the technological revolution. To date, the confirmed partners are Pink Frogs Cosmetics for the formula of the base and the six shades of colours, Marchesini Group Beauty for the machinery, PennelliFaro with a brush designed specifically for the drafting of the product, Scandolara for the primary packaging, an exclusive aluminium tube, Seriplast A.T. Packaging for the sample size and Gatto Astucci for secondary packaging - a clutch designed to highlight the quality of the product. The project will involve also Stratasys with its 3D industrial technologies. www.cosmoprof.com

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WORLD OF PLASTICS & RUBBER

The partner with the right solution With an everincreasing awareness of sustainable development, Gianeco gives new life to bioplastic production waste

ianeco Srl is a plastics recycling company based in Piedmont, Italy, born to operate in the global circular economy. Nowadays, we are increasingly concerned about environmental problems, and Gianeco contributes in every way to make recycled materials to become everyone’s first choice to reduce waste and pollution. Gianeco has been involved for years in the recycling of industrial plastic waste, starting with technical polymers such as ABS, PC, PA, PS, PBT, and increasingly focusing on thermoplastic elastomers and bioplastics. In fact, the company was one of the first in Europe to successfully start recycling of renewable, biodegradable and compostable

Plastics

materials such as PLA, PBAT, PHA, PHB, PCL, PBS and their compounds. The idea behind these bio-based polymers is to replace the fossil oil carbons by carbons obtained from renewable and eco-friendly sources (sugars in plants), in other words, to create polymers from renewable natural resources and allow packaging to decompose quickly and get back to nature. One of Gianeco’s flagship products is PLA (Polylactic Acid), a thermoplastic polyester made from maize, and therefore from renewable resources; it is extremely versatile, and comes in a wide range of applications (currently, 70% of PLA is used in food packaging for bread, milk, juices, water, fats, oils and perfumes, detergents), all of which generate a high production of waste. To give a new life and economic value to this waste is a great help to packaging companies because of the very high cost of this innovative material compared to traditional plastics. Although bioplastics are biodegradable and compostable, the first and most important step in treating this waste is mechanical and chemical recycling. Whatever the need may arise to recycle post-industrial biodegradable material waste, Gianeco srl is the ideal solution and partner. Thanks to the mechanical recycling of bioplastic waste, Gianeco Srl gives it new life and the recycled bioplastics can be reused before being

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definitively composted. Gianeco Srl recycles a wide range of bioplastic materials from the production process of food packaging, films, fibres, thermoforming, production of disposable plates, cups, glasses and cutlery. With an everincreasing awareness of sustainable development, Gianeco is able to recycle all bioplastic production waste for processing and recompounding, bringing to the market a range of biodegradable recycled products with high chemical and physical performance. Among the latest products developed in collaboration with national research centres is Biogeo, the compound containing PLA, PBAT and starch for the extrusion of blown film for the production of bags for wet waste and shopping bags, biodegradable in accordance with EN13432. Gianeco has the solution The Gianeco’s staff is actively working on innovative solutions to recycle other biopolymers such as PHA and PBS, which still only occupy a small part of the bioplastics market; as well as on product customisation, which is increasingly requested by the market. Through an extensive network of suppliers and customers, Gianeco offers efficient tailor-made supply solutions. In addition, Gianeco has expanded its capacity to recycle and supply small batches, in order to serve a wider range of users and supply all types of customers. In this way Gianeco remains a point of reference and a serious and reliable partner for giving the right value to biodegradable waste, helping producers of biodegradable packaging and disposable items to recycle and enhance their biodegradable plastic waste so that they can obtain the greatest economic value from their bioplastic waste quickly and easily. Gianeco interacts with packaging manufacturers in order to offer a consultancy service on how to store and manage biodegradable waste, protecting it from atmospheric agents, and provides an organized, rapid and precise collection service. Gianeco’s mission is to find a solution for all that is wasted, based on the principle of 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

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Gianeco recycles your bioplastic waste

www.gianeco.com

EXHIBITIONS

Minister of trade and industry opens 18th edition of PLASTEX Showcasing MENA’s growing plastics industry, the live and in-person PLASTEX 2022 re-connects buyers with leading international and local manufacturers and distributors

gypt’s burgeoning plastics industry will be in full view over the next four days as PLASTEX 2022, the country’s leading industry and networking platform, kicks off today (January 9) under the patronage of of H.E Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The exhibition was officially inaugurated, by Her Excellency Nevine Gamea, Minister of Trade and Industry, in the presence of other dignitaries. Co-organised by dmg events and ACG–ITF, PLASTEX will run until January 12th and is set to bring together more than 22,000 attendees over the four days, with 300 local and international exhibitors participating.

Plastics

On the VIP inauguration tour, H.E Nevine Gamea spent time with some of the industry’s most prominent players and saw a number of new to market products and innovations. Khalfan AlMuhairi, Senior Vice President, Middle East, Africa and Exports, Borouge commented: “Egypt is a key strategic market and presents us with attractive collaboration opportunities between the UAE and Egypt. We are confident about the growth and promise of the Egyptian market and are committed to building on our legacy. We look forward to continue shaping the mega projects in Egypt, supporting the sustainable growth and opportunities in the Egyptian market”. Speaking from the Show, exhibitor Emeraude International is confident that the next four days will turn up

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EXHIBITIONS

some good leads and potential business in the coming months; “This is our third time participating at PLASTEX. It is very important for us to be part of this exhibition, so far the engagement has been amazing, we were able to meet a lot of our customers and potential ones as well. This year we are displaying our recycling zone that (invested with D Grade) where we turn plastic bottles to threads. We would like to encourage people to always recycle all 100% plastic made things through Emeraude green” said Omar Rafik, CO at Emeraude International. The 18th edition is set to elevate Egypt’s global standing in plastics by bringing together global multinational organisations, including Gold Sponsor Borouge, Silver Sponsors ADEKA AL OTAIBA Middle East LLC & Transmar.

Showcasing their latest innovative products, technologies and services are companies including Tomra Sorting, Starlinger, Bandera, Kowin, Krauss Maffei, RR Plast, Zerma Africa, Eco Batch, Megastrike, Baerlocher and many more. Outside of the traditional exhibitor offering, PLASTEX points to the industry’s future with increasing numbers of exhibitors from who focus on sustainability, recycling and technology. German manufacturer KraussMaffei sees PLASTEX as an important networking platform; “The aim of us being here is to meet new customers and meet the ones we are currently dealing with. We manufacture injection moulding machines, so far, we see that the footfall is great and we hope this continues till the last day. We aim to educate new potential clients about what we do,”

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said Amr Yousef, Executive Director, KraussMaffei. “We are glad to be back in-person and have received such fantastic support from our stakeholders, exhibitors and visitors to make PLASTEX 2022 a reality. The next four days will give distributors, suppliers and buyers the chance to take a deep dive into the latest products, innovations and trends all while strengthening current partnerships and establishing new ones,” said Salman Abou Hamzeh, Vice President - Energy Middle East for dmg events. For more information, visit: www.plastex-online.com

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EXHIBITIONS

Mecspe: towards the 2022 edition The main exhibition of Italian manufacturing will be back at BolognaFiere from June 9 to 11, supported by the great satisfaction expressed by visitors and exhibitors for the first Bologna experience

ade in Italy has been running fast in last months and the most recent Istat data record an important sprint in the last quarter of 2021, with the GDP registering +6.5%. The industry, therefore, proves itself as the growth driver in our country, projecting it to the top of the European rankings, in a condition full of opportunities – such as those offered by the PNRR funds coming soon – and challenges, first of all that of the energy raising costs. MECSPE, the exhibition dedicated to innovative technologies for the manufacturing industry that will take place in BolognaFiere from 9th to 11th June 2022, is ready to cope with these challenges to help entrepreneurs in their growth. An event more and more important and rich in contents that starts again from a successful edition, the one of 2021, that hosted 2,024 exhibitors (a figure that brought

Plastics

MECSPE on the European podium of the industrial exhibitions for number of exhibitors in 2021), and 48,562 professional visitors, for the first time in the spaces of BolognaFiere, spread on 92,000 square meters of exhibition area. MECSPE is therefore positioned as an important exhibition meeting for the themes linked to industrial innovation, fundamental for the agendas of the buyers of the supply chain, who take part in it mainly to meet one or more exhibitors (71%) and to be updated on the technological news of the sector (43%). This is revealed by a survey on Customer Satisfaction[1], according to which two thirds of the visitors were more than satisfied with the last edition, so much to recommend MECSPE to colleagues and professionals of the sector. At the same time, the percentage of exhibitors who consider the annual appointment of MECSPE very important for their business has increased. AUTOMOTIVE,

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BUT NOT ONLY. With respect to the achievement of their goals, exhibitors believe that by participating in MECSPE they have effectively strengthened their corporate image (68%), verified interest in their products (65%) and activated new business relationships (45%). The visit of MECSPE is therefore a chance not only of business but also of professional enrichment, useful for the development of one’s own activity, and it is fundamental to meet

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the operators of the sector both for visitors and exhibitors. This is the basis on which the new edition will start, with a wide range of thematic indepth analysis, many new special initiatives and demonstration areas, activities that have always made the event “unique” for entrepreneurs and professionals. The guidelines of the new edition will always be digitization, sustainability and training, as essential thematic areas for the advancement of the manufacturing sector in view of Industry 4.0. Training will be the focus of MECSPE LIVE ACADEMY, the new demonstrative area created jointly with exhibitors, schools, Universities, and thanks to the collaboration, already started in 2021, with the Competence Centers. The MECSPE LIVE ACADEMY will be a space where everyone, and in particular young people aged 18-24, will be able to see up close the functioning of processes involving Machines, Additive Manufacturing, Automation and Robotics, crossing the themes of design, digitalization, sustainability and light-weighting processes. An opportunity for professional growth integrated with a theoretical background in collaboration with New Techniques Academy. Finally, the 2022 edition will see the addition of METEF, the international aluminum expo, with a proposal of contents in line with the needs of visitors and exhibitors, thanks to the presence of the area dedicated to metal foundry and to the technologies of innovative materials, with alternating exhibition and demonstration moments. For more information visit www.mecspe.com.

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exhibitions 2022 WARSAW PLAST EXPO (Warsaw, Poland) – 29-31 March 2022 – www.warsawplastexpo.com CHINAPLAS (Shanghai, China) – 25-28 April 2022 - www.chinaplasonline.com TIRE TECHNOLOGY EXPO (Hannover, Germany) – 5-7 April 2022 - www.tiretechnology-expo.com INTERPLAST (Joinville, Brazil) – 5-8 April 2022- www.interplast.com.br GREEN PLAST (Milan-Rho, Italy) – 3-6 May 2022 - www.greenplast.org PLASTIC EXPO (Osaka, Japan) – 11-13 May 2022 - www.plas.jp/en-gb.html ARGENPLAS (Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 6-9 June 2022 - www.argenplas.com.ar PRSE EUROPE (Rai, Amsterdam, Denmark) – 22-23 June 2022 www.prseventeurope.com ROSPLAST & ROSMOULD (Moscow, Russia) – 7-9 June 2022- www.rosplast-expo.com MECSPE (Bologna, Italy) – 9-11 June 2022 - www.mecspe.com EXPOPLAST (S. Miguel, Peru) 24-27 August 2022 - www.expoplastperu.com RUBBER TEC CHINA (Shanghai, China) – 6-8 September 2022 – en.rubbertech-expo.com K (Düsseldorf, Germany) – 19-26 October 2022 – www.k-online.com PLASTEX (Brno, Czech Republic) – 3-7 October 2022 – www.bvv.cz/en/plastex ECOMONDO (Rimini, Italy) – 8-11 November 2022 – www.ecomondo.com PLASTICS & RUBBER INDONESIA (Jakarta, Indonesia) 16-19 November 2022 – www.plasticsandrubberindonesia.com

2023 INTERPLASTICA (Moscow, Russia) – 24-27 January 2023 – www.interplastica.de CHINAPLAS (Shanghai, China) – April 2023 – www.chinaplasonline.com PLAST (Milan-Rho, Italy) – 5-8 September 2023 – www.plastonline.org FAKUMA (Friedrichshafen, Germany) – 17-21 October 2023 – www.fakuma-messe.de

index A-Z GOMMA SRL www.azgomma.it

AUTOMA by MAGIC SRL www.automabymagic.it

65-67

AUTOMATICA 2022 www.automatica-munich.com

82-84

BD PLAST FILTERING SYSTEMS SRL www.bdplast.com

1, 43-45

BFM SRL www.bfm.it

58-60

BINOVA SRL www.binovapm.it

II^ Cover, 75-77

BRUNO FOLCIERI SRL www.brunofolcieri.it

31-33

CALDARA PLAST SRL www.caldara.it

61-63

CHINAPLAS 2022 www.chinaplasonline.com

6-8, 96

COLOR SERVICE SRL www.colorservice.net

14-15

COSMOPACK 2022 www.cosmoprof.com/la-fiera/cosmopack/

34, 86-87

DRUPA 2024 www.drupa.com

48-49

ELVEM SRL www.elvem.it

FAKUMA 2021 www.fakuma-messe.de

78-79

FILTEC SRL www.filtec.it

III^ cover, 71-73

GAMMA MECCANICA SPA www.gamma-meccanica.it

IV^ cover, 39-41

GIANECO SRL www.gianeco.com

88-89

GREENPLAST www.greenplast.org

42,74

K 2022 www.k-tradefair.it

18-19, 64, 80-81

LAWER SPA www.lawer.com

36-37

MECSPE 2022 www.mecspe.com

92-93

OR.P. STAMPI SRL www.orpstampi.com

68-70

PHARMINTECH 2022 www.pharmintech.it

46-47, 50

PLAS MEC SRL www.plasmec.it

3, 35

PLASTEX 2024 www.plastex-online.com

90-91

PLASTIBLOW SRL www.plastiblow.it

9-11

PLASTICS EUROPE www.plasticseurope.org

PLASTPOL 2022 www.targikielce.pl/en/plastpol

28-30

PRSE EUROPE 2022 www.prseventeurope.com

20,38

RPE SRL www.rpesrl.com

55-57

SIRMAX SPA www.sirmax.com

16-17

SMI SPA www.smigroup.it

24-27

TECNO SYSTEM SRL www.tecnosystemfe.it

21-23

TOVO GOMMA SPA www.tovogomma.com

12-13

VIBROWEST ITALIANA SRL www.vibrowest.it

51-53

Plastics & Rubber