Way2K: Industry interviews on the way to the K

Our society is facing challenges such as climate change and resource conservation. The plastics industry plays a central role in this. At K 2025, the focus will be on the circular economy, digitalisation and responsibility for people and the environment - crucial for sustainable development.

The VDMA invites representatives from the plastics machinery industry and other stakeholders to weekly interviews to share perspectives. These discussions emphasise our responsibility to promote skilled workers and to use the opportunities offered by plastics for a better future.

Image: Michael Boerner and Simon Stadtmueller stand smiling in a technical room.

NEW!

"Ultrasonic technology is safe and user-friendly"

Interview on the road to K 2025 with Michael Boerner, Head of Global Business Development Plastics and Simon Stadtmueller, Expert Medical Applications at Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik

"We have been working extensively on recyclable packaging in blown film extrusion for a long time."

Image: Anatol Sattel; Copyright: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag

"We have to appeal to the people in our region"

Interview with Anatol Sattel, Chief Sales Officer at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag

"It is certainly right to demonstrate self-assurance. The simple fact is that at least 75 per cent of all plastic products will continue to be without alternatives in the future."

Image: Marcel Perrevort; Copyright: Reifenhäuser

"We have never had such efficient systems as we have today"

Interview with Marcel Perrevort, Chief Sales Officer at Reifenhäuser

"Definitely, because we can see that the image of plastic has changed significantly. Today, plastic is no longer seen as a problem, but as a valuable material that can make a significant contribution towards solving many of the world's problems."

Image: Michael Lackner; Copyright: Lindner Holding

"Our customers are increasingly requesting complete solutions"

Interview with Michael Lackner, Managing Director at Lindner

"In recent years, we have noticed a trend in the market towards consolidation among our customers. Small recyclers are being taken over and integrated into larger corporate groups."

Image: Bengt Schmidt; Copyright: Kiefel GmbH

"There is a quest for orientation within the market"

Interview with Bengt Schmidt, Global Director Packaging at Kiefel GmbH

"Recycling has been a major issue in the plastics industry for years. The quantities available for recycling from the yellow bag are not sufficient. Processors are therefore often forced to use virgin material."

Image: Lukas Buske; Copyright: Plasmatreat

"Plasma technology makes plastics more valuable"

Interview with Lukas Buske, Managing Director of Plasmatreat

"Plastic is a versatile material and indispensable in many industries. However, many plastics are naturally water-repellent, i.e. hydrophobic, meaning that paints, varnishes or adhesives adhere poorly."

Image: Konstantin Klein - Man with grey hair in a grey jacket stands smiling in front of an industrial machine; Copyright: Hosokawa Alpine AG

"Previous major challenges with single-material composites have now been solved"

Interview on the road to K 2025 with Konstantin Klein, Sales Director of Blown Film at Hosokawa Alpine AG

"We have been working extensively on recyclable packaging in blown film extrusion for a long time."

Picture: Georg Kiesl - Man with dark hair in a blue jacket looks directly into the camera outdoors; Copyright: Billion SAS

"We create added value for the customer "

Interview on the road to K 2025 with Georg Kiesl, General Manager at Billion

"The advantages we have in Europe, especially in France and Germany, are basically the advantages that characterise the SME sector, of which high flexibility is one."

Image: Markus Gschwandtner - Man in suit jacket with light-colored shirt and dark blond hair; Copyright: Brückner Maschinenbau

"Mono-material structures are increasingly in demand"

Interview with Markus Gschwandtner, Managing Director and Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at Brückner Maschinenbau

"Our aim is to always be one step ahead in terms of technology. Competition has indeed become more intense, with new providers in our industry segment coming primarily from Asian countries, which is why we have to counter this with innovation, focusing on our research and development department."

Image: Dr. Stephan Gneuss - man with dark hair looks directly into the camera; Copyright: Gneuss Kunststofftechnik GmbH

"Design for recycling is the key"

Interview on the road to K 2025 with Dr. Stephan Gneuss, Managing Director of Gneuss Kunststofftechnik GmbH

"Many distributors of plastic products have now recognised that they also need to identify recycling routes for products. For this reason, recycling processes have been developed in recent years that did not previously exist."

Image: Ulrich Reifenhäuser; Copyright: Reifenhäuser

K defies all challenges to remain the centre of the plastics industry

Interview with Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of the K Exhibitor Advisory Board, and Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director of the VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association

"It is a fact that we have a huge climate problem in this world. It is also true that plastic is the most climate-friendly material. Its production consumes significantly less CO2 than that of other materials. This climate advantage would be immediately visible if, for example, the CO2 footprint was labelled on packaging. It is therefore not presumptuous to be very self-confident."