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Image: In-house recycling at a manufacturer of electronic components; Copyright: WITTMANN

Economical Plastics Recycling for the Injection Moulding Industry

04.12.2024

Rising raw material prices, sustainability pressure and the development of a circular economy are presenting the injection molding industry with new challenges. With in-house recycling, which integrates waste directly back into production, WITTMANN offers a solution that not only reduces costs but also protects the environment.
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Image: VTT's pilot equipment for converting carbon dioxide into synthesis gas; Copyright: Photo VTT

Sustainable plastics production through bio-based carbon capture in Finland

15.11.2024

In Espoo, Finland, VTT (Technological Research Institute Finland) and LUT University, in cooperation with industrial partners, have opened a pilot plant that converts carbon dioxide into high-quality plastic raw materials in an innovative way.
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Image: Against a blue background: parts of a building on the left, 3 waving flags on the right; Copyright: Reifenhäuser

Reifenhäuser Expands Service Capacity in Middle East and Africa

04.11.2024

By establishing a new Service Hub, Reifenhäuser aims to improve customer proximity and operational efficiency, underlining its commitment to reliable, responsive support.
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Image: Cars on a production floor; Copyright: traimakivan

From mechanical engineering studies to the award for young talent in plastics technology

16.10.2024

The more insights, the broader the knowledge and experience - that's what Marcel Piechnik realized during his studies. At the same time, he discovered his enthusiasm for plastics. In many different areas, he has deepened his insights into plastics and their variety.
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Image: White nylon thread wound up; Copyright: Samsara Eco/NILIT

Samsara Eco and NILIT to Establish Nylon 6,6 Recycling Facility

14.10.2024

The plant, expected to be operational by late 2026, will enable circularity in the textile industry, offering high-quality recycled polymers for brand use.
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Image: different plastics and other materials in glasses on a table; Copyright: Hansgrohe

Recycling and reusing ABS plastics in-house

02.10.2024

Recycling on your own doorstep sounds almost too good to be true. But it is possible, as the Hansgrohe Group in Offenburg shows. The special highlight is that Hansgrohe, in partnership with ImpulsTec GmbH, has succeeded in recycling galvanized plastics. This means that decoated ABS plastics can be recycled directly in the company.
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The new stretch film line; copyright: SML

EcoCompact® II: Enhanced 2-Meter Stretch Film Line with Maximum Flexibility

27.09.2024

The new 2-meter EcoCompact® II from SML offers innovative advancements, combining compact design, cutting-edge technology, and improved flexibility. With up to seven extruders and enhanced winding options, this fully revised stretch film line is designed to meet evolving industry needs at an affordable price.
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Image: Picture of a factory hall: Process optimization in the production of polyester or polyamide; Copyright: Oerlikon

Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions: Sustainable Technologies for Central Asia's Textile Industry

16.09.2024

Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions is driving sustainable innovations for the growing textile industry in Central Asia. From polycondensation plants to textured yarns, the company offers complete machinery solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of the Uzbek market. With a focus on energy efficiency and high yarn quality, Oerlikon is set to make a significant impact in the region.
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Image: Carrie Song, Senior Vice President, Commercial at Neste Renewable Products and Yoshiyuki Watanabe, Division COO, Business Development Div. at Mitsubishi; Copyright: Mitsubishi Corporation

Neste and Mitsubishi Corporation Form Strategic Partnership

23.08.2024

Neste Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) have announced a strategic collaboration to develop value chains for renewable chemicals and plastics. This initiative focuses on supporting Japanese brands across various industries, including food and beverage, apparel, and consumer electronics, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reliance on fossil resources.
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Image: six men standing in front of a POLYSTAR lettering; Copyright: POLYSTAR

Advancing Circular Economy in the GCC Region

26.07.2024

Recycling Services LLC, a prominent plastic recycler in Oman and Saudi Arabia, has joined forces with POLYSTAR to bolster the circular economy in the GCC region. This partnership, initiated with the acquisition of POLYSTAR's Repro-Flex 120 machine, aims to transform plastic waste into reusable materials, fostering sustainability and economic diversification.
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Image: industrial chemical plant; Copyright: CreativeNature_nl

Global Impact Coalition: Net-zero Chemical Industry

19.07.2024

Charlie Tan has his work cut out for him. The 30-something, London-born Brit/Malay last November became CEO of the newly reconstituted Global Impact Coalition (GIC). The GIC has the stated aim of transforming the global chemical industry to net-zero by 2050.
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Image: several bioplastic products made of olive pits; Copyright: Biolive

Bioplastics Made of Olive Pits

05.07.2024

Biolive, a pioneering biotechnology company, has launched a new biopolymer production facility in Istanbul, Türkiye, capable of producing 9,600 tons annually. Using olive pits as raw material, this innovative process aims to replace fossil-based plastics, offering a sustainable solution for the plastics industry.
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Image: Close-up of the DM Maxliner 3D machine printing at drupa 2024

Sustainable PET Film Recycling Solutions

04.07.2024

Leonhard Kurz will be presenting new sustainable recycling solutions for PET film at drupa 2024. In a video interview, Markus Hoffmann, Member of the Board at Leonhard Kurz, explains how the company takes back and reuses used PET film to promote the Circular Economy. The DM Maxliner 3D machine, which impresses with its efficiency and versatility, is also presented.
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Image: Hands of three men bending over economic analysis; Copyright: itchaznong

VDMA Calls for Courage and Innovation in Difficult Times

27.06.2024

The associations of the plastics and rubber machinery industry are facing significant challenges. Geopolitical changes, high energy costs, and declining order intakes require new strategies and bold decisions.
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Image: Sorting belt with plastic bottles. Two employees can be seen out of focus in the background; Copyright: envato

Sustainability thanks to the circular economy

26.06.2024

How does the circular economy work? Focus on sustainable practices and environmental benefits.
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Image: Technical drawing of a machine component; Copyright: Maris

Innovative extrusion process reduces odor in post-consumer plastic recycling

17.06.2024

Post-consumer plastic recycling faces a persistent challenge: unpleasant odors. Addressing this issue, Maris has unveiled a pioneering extrusion process tailored to tackle odorous contamination effectively.
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Image: 3 men in hard hats press the symbolic start button in a solemn ceremony; Copyright: BASF

World's First Electrically Heated Steam Cracking Furnace

27.05.2024

BASF, SABIC, and Linde have inaugurated the world's first large-scale electrically heated steam cracking furnace at BASF's Verbund site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. This demonstration plant, which consumes 6 megawatts of renewable electrical energy, is designed to test the technology's potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 90% compared to conventional steam crackers.
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Image: Hands crocheting a yellow round circle with a crochet hook; Copyright: envato

Machine crochet for textiles and components

23.05.2024

When it comes to crocheting, many people think of a leisure hobby. However, this technique can be used to manufacture impressive products such as components made from fiber composites. In an interview with K-Mag, Jan Lukas Storck from Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences explains how a newly developed crochet machine works and how it contributes to automation.
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Photo: a man in a gray hoodie and furrowed brow in conversation - image from video clip; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf

Foxbase: Start-up with a vision

22.05.2024

The Foxbase platform makes B2B sales processes more efficient. CTO Carsten Dolch and CEO Benjamin Dammertz explain how setting up the software and integrating AI helps improve customer interactions. Various industries, including the plastics industry, benefit from the flexibility and efficiency of this solution. Find out more in the video.
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Image: red and white industrial plant against a neutral background; Copyright: Wittmann Inc.

"Industrial communication will change”

20.05.2024

Industry interview on OPC UA with Dana Ford, Auxiliary Controls Engineer for Material Handling/Auxiliary at Wittmann Inc.
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Image: two men standing in front of the display of a large industrial machine; Copyright: Billion SAS

OPC UA significantly simplifies processes

30.04.2024

Industry interview with Georg Kiesl, General Manager at Billion SAS on the spread of the OPC UA standard in the USA.
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Image: Detail of the new stretching machine; Copyright: LyondellBasell

Stretching Machine for Masterbatch Development

26.04.2024

LyondellBasell, a prominent player in the chemical industry, has recently integrated the state-of-the-art KARO® 5.0 laboratory stretching machine from Brückner Maschinenbau into its research and development facilities in Ohio. This strategic enhancement is set to significantly advance the company's ability to develop and test masterbatch solutions tailored for various oriented film applications.
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Image: All-electric EcoPower Xpress; Copyright: WITTMANN

All-Electric Injection Molding for Thin-Wall Packaging

08.04.2024

Heinrich Axmann GmbH & Co. KG in Cologne, Germany, has made a significant shift towards sustainability by adopting an all-electric injection molding machine, the EcoPower Xpress, provided by WITTMANN. This move has led to a reduction in energy consumption by over 30% for producing thin-walled packaging, marking a significant step towards eco-friendly production methods.
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Image: Abstract image with various symbols on the topic of OPC UA; Copyright: Funtap - stock.adobe.com

PLASTICS and VDMA must work together on OPC UA

22.03.2024

Industry interview on OPC UA with Glenn Anderson, Chief Operating Officer at the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director of the VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association
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Image: In-house cooling system; Copyright: ONI-Wärmetrafo GmbH

System technology: energy efficiency in the plastics industry

20.03.2024

The plastics industry faces the challenge of harmonising efficiency and sustainability without compromising on performance. With a unique portfolio of products and services, ONI-Wärmetrafo supports plastics processing companies in becoming more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, which is of immense importance, especially in times of rising energy prices.
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Image: Spiral ball made of particle foam; Copyright: Hofmann

BEAD.MACHINE sets new standards in particle foam processing

31.01.2024

Particle foam offers a wide range of applications - from automotive to packaging and lifestyle. The BEAD.MACHINE from Siegfried Hofmann GmbH marks a significant advance in the processing of this versatile class of materials: it enables the efficient production of complex moulded particle foam parts, setting new standards in terms of product quality and environmental friendliness.
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Photo: Martin Weger (center back) with his management team at the St. Valentin plant. A man in the middle holds up the prize; Copyright: ENGEL

ENGEL St. Valentin wins production contest

19.01.2024

The ENGEL large-scale machine plant in St. Valentin was named "Factory of the Year 2023" in Austria, winning both the overall award and the "Efficient Factory" category at the factory conference in Bludenz. The award is based on outstanding results in various categories, including a sustainability strategy.
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Image: Black and white detail of two open hands. The left hand holds snippets, while the right hand holds small beads; Copyright: Coperion GmbH

Coperion Recycling Innovation Center is Up and Running

05.01.2024

Coperion has opened its Recycling Innovation Center, providing a high-tech test facility for comprehensive testing of plastics recycling processes. The center complements Herbold Meckesheim's technical center and enables customers to simulate the entire recycling process and test technologies before making an investment.
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Image: ZE 28 Blue laboratory extruder against a white background; PowerCopyright: KraussMaffei Group GmbH

Laboratory extruder relaunched: ZE 28 BluePower

22.12.2023

KraussMaffei Extrusion GmbH recently presented the ZE 28 BluePower high-performance laboratory extruder in a new design. Higher efficiency, shorter delivery times and greater cost-effectiveness were the focus of this development.
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Image: Apprentices are shown a machine; Copyright: envato

Working in the plastics industry

19.12.2023

The plastics industry offers a wide range of career paths in various disciplines. Each has its own focus and gives the opportunity to promote sustainability in the industry.
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Image: Yellow and brown traceless® materials in the form of granules, paper coating and film application; Copyright: traceless

traceless materials secures €36.6 Million Series A to build first industry plant for bio-circular alternative to plastic

01.12.2023

The bioeconomy start-up traceless materials has closed a financing round of 36.6 million euros, led by UB Forest Industry Green Growth Fund and SWEN Blue Ocean. The company produces a sustainable biomaterial that serves as an alternative to plastic and combats plastic pollution.
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Image: Piles of plastic waste sorted by colour; Copyright: STEINERT

AI-based sorting: the smart way to recycle plastics

22.11.2023

Artificial intelligence and plastics recycling – two concepts that have little in common at first glance, but which form an impressive symbiosis in practice. STEINERT and RE Plano are impressive proof of this. Thanks to AI, they have succeeded in overcoming the challenges of sorting polyethylene and polypropylene, paving the way for innovative recycling solutions.
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The one stop shop for digital solutions: ENGEL integrates software company TIG

20.11.2023

ENGEL is gradually expanding its customer portal e-connect into a production portal. In addition, a solution from the inject 4.0 family for bidirectional data exchange between simulation and injection molding machine has been expanded and now also works with MOLDEX3D.
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Photo: The Brückner Campus in Siegsdorf with the Technology Center in the foreground photographed from above; Copyright: Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH

25 years technology centre at Brückner – expansion in sight

06.11.2023

Brückner Maschinenbau established a technology center 25 years ago, specializing in film stretching technologies. It has since become a crucial hub for research and development in the film industry, and they plan to expand the center to meet new challenges, including the use of recycled materials and bio plastics, energy production films, and membrane technologies.
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Image: blurred detail of a person in a black suit holding a pen. In front of her is a laptop and papers with diagrams; Copyright: donut3771

Reifenhäuser relies on new "Circular Plastics Traceability" Guideline by using digital product passports from R-Cycle

06.11.2023

The Reifenhäuser Group uses R-Cycle, a digital product passport for plastics based on GS1 standards, to enable its customers to trace products. This facilitates data management in the manufacturing process and promotes the recycling of plastic packaging.
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Image: Productivity is key: 120 x molds in 20 minutes = 10 seconds per mold; Copyright: Nexa3D

Wilson Sporting Goods using 3D printing to accelerate the injection molding process

03.11.2023

Wilson Sporting Goods uses 3D printing to accelerate the injection molding process of baseball bats. This includes bats made from aluminum, polymer composite and thermoplastics. Components such as knobs, end caps and the interface between the handle and shaft are typically injection molded from engineering resins.
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Image: Rose gloved hands hold petri dishes in a chemistry lab; Copyright: kalinovskiyphoto

Start-up recycles plastic lab waste into new test tubes and petri dishes

20.10.2023

LabCycle, co-founded by a University of Bath graduate, opens the UK's first pilot plant for recycling plastic lab waste into new lab consumables and aims to scale the technology for healthcare and research labs. Their process turns plastic waste into high-grade pellets, reducing energy and water use and promoting recycling in a circular economy approach.
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Image: Glass containers with oil; Copyright: ARTFULLY79

Chemical recycling: the supreme discipline for the Circular Economy in the plastics industry?

11.10.2023

Almost 90 % of all plastic packaging today still consists of virgin material. If we want to change this, we have to focus on chemical recycling in addition to mechanical recycling. According to the WWF study "Verpackungswende jetzt", a system change could save more than 20 million tonnes of new plastic by 2040. SÜDPACK is therefore investing in innovative chemical recycling technology.
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Picture: Numerous pressed PET bottles ready for recycling; Copyright: duallogic

Extrupet again chooses PET recycling technology from EREMA

10.10.2023

Extrupet will expand its PET recycling capacity in South Africa with a VACUNITE® from EREMA in June 2024 to meet growing demand for its PhoenixPET® recyclate. This decision comes as part of a long-standing partnership that began back in 2009, and will enable the planned expansion into East Africa and Nigeria with further plants for food-grade rPET.
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Photo: Project STOP employees take a tour of the new materials recovery facility; Copyright: Project STOP

New material recovery facility opened in Banyuwangi under Project STOP's expansion program

02.10.2023

On September 16, a large materials recovery facility was inaugurated in Songgon Municipality, Indonesia, built in collaboration with the Banyuwangi Regional Government. Project STOP Banyuwangi, supported by various stakeholders, aims to establish a circular waste management system in Indonesia and achieve positive environmental impacts.
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Image: Energy chains; Copyright: igus GmbH

Recycling programme for engineering plastics

22.09.2023

Wherever there is movement in manufacturing, the plastic plain bearings and energy guiding chains from igus can be used. Even in packaging machines, e-chains and plain bearings made of high-performance polymers ensure movement. The products are durable but at some point they also have to be disposed of. igus has set up its own recycling programme for this purpose.
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Image: Large accumulation of PET bottles to be recycled in a warehouse; Copyright: Krones AG

Making the impossible possible: Recycling multilayer packaging

13.09.2023

Was multilayer packaging the Achilles' heel of the recycling industry? Not anymore, according to Krones and their project partners BASF, Südpack, and Tomra. Together, they're unveiling a solution that accomplishes what was once deemed impossible. At the heart of this innovation is a new adhesive that enables effective material separation during the recycling process.
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Image: EREMA company premises; Copyright: EREMA

Smart Waste: how AI can increase the recycling rate of plastics

23.08.2023

Nine percent – that is the proportion of all plastic waste that was recycled from 1950 to 2015. This must change urgently. Artificial intelligence can help. EREMA and the Software Competence Center Hagenberg (SCCH) are researching exactly how in a joint project.
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Image: Sutco plant in Stockholm; Copyright: Sutco

"There must not be a cannibalisation of material flows"

16.08.2023

"Unlike mechanical recycling, chemical recycling breaks down these compounds instead of utilising existing polymers as material."
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Image: Recycling plant; Copyright: SOREMA

Challenge accepted: PET recycling in Myanmar

10.08.2023

Before new processes are established, an analysis of the current situation is usually carried out. For the recycling of PET bottles in Yangon, Myanmar, the Italian manufacturer SOREMA and the local recycler Commercial Plastics Co. did just that. After conducting washing and recycling tests on bottles collected there, SOREMA designed a flake production line.
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Image: Aerial view of factory chimneys from which emissions are coming; Copyright: wirestock

Asahi Kasei and Mitsui establish supply and procurement system for bio-methanol

03.08.2023

Asahi Kasei Corporation and Mitsui & Co, Ltd will establish a supply and procurement system for biomethanol produced in the United States. Asahi Kasei plans to use the bio-methanol from Mitsui to produce engineering plastics in Japan with a lower carbon footprint.
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Image: Many rolled polyethylene film units on racks in the warehouse; Copyright: Pressmaster

BASF breaks ground on polyethylene plant at Zhanjiang Verbund site in China

20.07.2023

BASF has broken ground on a polyethylene (PE) plant at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China to serve fast-growing demand in China. The plant, with a capacity of 500,000 metric tons per year, is scheduled to start up in 2025.
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Image: Manfred Hackl und Klaus Lederer; Copyright: EREMA Group

"Recyclates from chemical recycling will be more expensive than virgin material"

14.07.2023

Mechanical recycling processes have already matured. Chemical recycling is comparatively young. But will it be able to establish itself?
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Image: A 135-ton crane at the Infiltrator plant helps to set up the new large-scale machines; Copyright: ENGEL

Breaking boundaries: Delivering gigantic injection molding machines across continents

03.07.2023

8000 tons in weight, a good 30 meters long – how do you manage to ship such a gigantic injection moulding machine across the big pond? In an industry where logistics and size present special challenges, ENGEL has managed to master them with expertise and a cooperative approach.
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Image: two businessmen in a production hall looking at a tablet together; Copyright: westend61

Productivity management via app: capturing and understanding machine data

21.06.2023

Efficient work only works when everything runs smoothly – also on the shop floor. But how do I know how busy and productive my machines are at the moment? This requires data that reflect reality, but which is often still lacking today. ENLYZE has developed an analysis platform that can close this gap and make production more efficient.
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Photo: A variety of machines in the large hall of a factory; Copyright: saoirse2010

KraussMaffei presents special edition of the CX series

15.06.2023

To mark the 185th anniversary of the company, KraussMaffei is offering a special edition of the CX series with free additional equipment. The additional package with extensive functions reduces operating costs and increases quality in production. The company follows the motto: "RelaCX – it's a CX".
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Image: Machines for the production of various plastics in a large hall; Copyright: saoirse2010

Faster mould set-up – more efficient production

01.06.2023

ENGEL helps injection moulding processors optimize product changeover times through customized training and technologies such as the Setup wizard to achieve higher productivity, lower unit costs and more profit.
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Image: Numerous pressed PET bottles ready for recycling; Copyright: duallogic

First PET Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling Line in Kenya

12.04.2023

Megh Group company T3 (EPZ) Limited is going to install the first PET recycling system for bottle-grade rPET and resin in Kenya and Eastern Africa, a Starlinger recoSTAR PET 165 HC iV+ recycling line, in Athi River just outside Nairobi.
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Image: a man watching Covestros plant for chlorine electrolysis; Copyright: Covestro

Covestro and Lanxess cooperate to produce more sustainable raw materials with reduced CO₂ footprint

14.02.2023

Chemical companies Covestro and LANXESS are cooperating in the energy-intensive production of basic chemicals at their Lower Rhine sites in Germany and make them more climate friendly. LANXESS procures chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen from the ISCC PLUS-certified sites of Covestro in Leverkusen and Krefeld-Uerdingen.
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Image: an injection molding machine producing an orange cup; Copyright: ssp48

Full speed ahead: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag expands fast-cycle all-electric platform

01.02.2023

Engineered specifically for high volume packaging, medical and automotive applications requiring the highest processing precision in the fastest cycle time, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is accelerating its global expansion of the IntElect platform.
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Image: a woman scans a carton of milk in the supermarket with her cell phone; Copyright: drazenphoto

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag joins the R-Cycle Community

16.01.2023

With 80.000 all-electric machines in operation around the globe, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s strong focus is on the sustainable and resource saving operation of injection molding machines in the plastic processing industry.
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Image: Businessman and businesswoman looking at a tablet; Copyright: westend61

ENGEL launches Pay per Use

09.01.2023

ENGEL breaks new ground in injection moulding machine distribution. Blazing a trail for its industry, the machine manufacturer now offers its customers a pay-per-use model on top of classical machine purchases. This helps processors to reduce their investment risk while at the same time boosting flexibility in production.
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Photo: woman picking a 3D printed object from the printer; Copyright: Cubicure

All tidied up: Customizable cleaning solution for light-based 3D printing

21.12.2022

As the saying goes, one cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs – in a metaphorical sense, this is also the case when it comes to the 3D printing process. In most cases, material residue must be removed manually and then discarded. Cubicure delivers a different way that's automated, customizable, and sustainable.
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Image: 3D printing machine printing a piece of plastic; Copyright: leungchopan

Joining Forces: Fast-as-lightning 3D Microprinting with Two Lasers

19.12.2022

A research team from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the University of Heidelberg, and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) developed a laser printing process that can print micrometer-sized parts within a very short time.
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Image: Discarded clothes, among others in a cardboard box with the label

Circular clothing – recycling of polyester-containing textiles

13.12.2022

The overall eco-balance of polyester is better than that of natural fibres like cotton. Nevertheless, textiles containing polyester do not have a good reputation. Today, one property of the material in particular is criticised: it does not decompose naturally. This makes a collection and recycling of such textiles all the more important. But a circular economy for polyester does not yet exist.
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Image: black and white chairs made of plastic; Copyright: Covestro

Manufacturing solid surfaces with RIM – Arfinio makes it possible

07.12.2022

Something is only impossible as long as you don't try. Covestro has developed the new Arfinio manufacturing technology, the first application to allow reaction injection molding of aliphatic polyurethanes. Joan Miquel Garcia Martinez explains in an interview why this was previously considered unthinkable and why it now works after all.
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Picture: Detail of a textile industry where PET fibers are rolled up on a spindle ; Copyright: ssp48

EREMA Group focuses research and development on circular economy for PET fibres

22.11.2022

With its new business unit "Fibres and Textiles", the EREMA Group is intensifying the development of recycling solutions focusing on PET fibre materials that are produced in fibre production and in further processing steps. In a dedicated fiber pilot plant, a cross-company team is working on recycling solutions for fiber-to-fiber applications.
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Image: a grey and green machine; Copyright: Erema

EREMA: "PredictOn:Drive", a new tool for predictive maintenance

04.11.2022

Real-time visualisation of process and machine data holds great potential for the circular economy as a whole and for recycling processes in particular. At K 2022 EREMA launched "PredictOn:Drive", a predictive maintenance application for its recycling machines.
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Photo: man with white helmet and laptop in suit talking with man in work clothes and blue helmet. In the background various machines; Copyright: seventyfourimages

Machine monitoring: performance data via app at any time

26.10.2022

Steinert.view® is a flexible and reliable monitoring solution for STEINERT sensor-based sorting machines. Performance data collected is visualized in a web app so that operators can see at a glance whether machines are currently producing, whether there are changes in production, or whether there is potential for optimization.
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The countdown to K 2022 is on

13.10.2022

The set-up for K 2022 at the Düsseldorf Trade Fair is in full swing. The trade fair's logistics team is making sure that everything runs smoothly. Werner Arnold, Team Manager Logistics, explains in an interview all the things that need to be taken into account until all the halls at K are filled.
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A true all-rounder: with two apprenticeships to become a turnkey expert

27.09.2022

Oliver Fuss has completed not one, but two apprenticeships at Arburg: first an apprenticeship as a mechatronics technician and then as a process mechanic for plastics and rubber technology. Now he works in the turnkey division, where fully automated manufacturing cells are designed and built.
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Sustainability by digitalization: Inventory machines become capable of communication

13.09.2022

What's old is far from bad. This also applies to machines - however, they are often not capable of communicating. Yet it is precisely this ability that is of interest when it comes to evaluating data or correcting errors. Injection molding machine manufacturer Steinl has found a way to connect even older machines to a communication network.
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Climate-neutral with a plan – sustainability in the plastics industry

30.08.2022

Successful business means sustainable business. Because according to KraussMaffei, sustainability has both ecological and economic advantages. Recently, the company reaffirmed its goal of being climate-neutral by 2030. Its strategy includes recycling solutions, energy-efficient construction and heating, and sustainable product development.
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Augmented Reality in the plastics industry: individualized instructions for the entire product life cycle

25.08.2022

Individualization is the trend. In the plastics industry, too, more and more individualized machines are coming onto the market. Of course, these machines also require individualized manuals with instructions tailored specifically to them. However, this is not yet a reality today. The AdaptAR project wants to change that – with the help of Augmented Reality and an app.
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Saves energy and costs: two-stage process makes plastics recycling more efficient

16.08.2022

In recycling, plastics are usually sorted, cleaned, ground, compounded and regranulated to be reprocessed as regranulate. The material must therefore be melted twice – first for granulation, then for injection moulding. ENGEL has now developed a process in which plastic waste can be processed as flakes in injection moulding directly after grinding. This makes it highly energy-efficient.
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Digitization, automation, networking: "We have the whole wide bandwidth!"

09.08.2022

Twenty-year-old Yannick Herzog trained as an electronics technician for automation technology at Arburg and now works in the company's printed circuit board production. Since August 2021, he has been responsible for SPI and AOI for quality control of printed and assembled PCBs, respectively, in a production line. These are used in the control systems of the Arburg machines.
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Product development in Alpla's One-Stop Shop

02.08.2022

Those who work meticulously to design a product can hardly await the day they can hold the finished item in their hands. Alpla is a company headquartered in Hard, Austria, that speeds up this process. Customers can convert their ideas into reality and ideally leave Alpla's STUDIOa with a prototype in hand.
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Image: Building complex of the new KraussMaffei corporate headquarters in Parsdorf; Copyright: KraussMaffei Group GmbH

The "new KraussMaffei" is to be climate-neutral by 2030

25.07.2022

The KraussMaffei company confirms a sustainable corporate strategy: Climate neutrality in eight years. The consistent focus is on Circular Economy. One of the largest roof-mounted photovoltaic systems in Europe is currently being built at the new main plant in Parsdorf.
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North American plastics sector holds steady, while riding a roller-coaster of uncertainty

08.07.2022

The pandemic. Supply chain ruptures. The Great Resignation. China trade tensions. Climate change and extreme weather events. Soaring inflation. Stock market volatility. The war in Ukraine. Seldom in our lifetimes have we experienced such an extended period of disruption and uncertainty.
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Image: Large fighter aircraft plant with multiple models; Copyright: saoirse2010

3D printing for automated pre-assembly of thermoplastic CFRP integral frames

01.07.2022

In the "OSFIT" (One Shot Fully Integrated Thermoplastic Frame) project, automated processes were developed to reduce both the time required and the complexity of the assembly and joining steps in aircraft production.
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Using different tools in one flexible thermoforming system

29.06.2022

Thermoforming is a process that requires various tool systems. Unfortunately, if the latter originate from different manufacturers, they often cannot be used together in one system. Illig took on the challenge and came up with a successful solution.
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A digital product passport for more sustainability

21.06.2022

The EU's Circular Economy Action Plan stipulates that by 2050 all plastic packaging must be completely recyclable and consist of at least 70 percent recycled material. The majority of plastic waste still ends up in landfills or incinerators – in the worst case, in the environment.
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Image: Power transformer substation. In the background: sunshine; Copyright: chuyu2014

Durostone CR permits higher loads and more compact transformer designs

06.06.2022

Röchling Industrial has developed a new glass fiber-reinforced plastic Durostone® CR. "CR" stands for Compact & Resilient. Compared to conventional fiber-reinforced composites, Durostone® CR has a high dielectric strength and a high partial discharge insertion stress.
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Image: Printing original products with a 3D printer; Copyright: twenty20photos

Intelligent software for 3D printing optimises properties of plastic components

06.06.2022

Researchers at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern have developed intelligent software that can adjust parameters such as temperature and printing speed during printing.
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New cutting-edge thermoplastic materials for the aerospace sector

23.05.2022

In the HITCOMP project (High Temperature Characterization and Modelling of Thermoplastic Composites), thermoplastic materials were investigated in the aerospace sector. The researchers concluded that thermoplastic-based components are more efficient than thermosetting plastic composites in terms of their thermal properties.
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Made up out of thin air

19.05.2022

Innovations always emerge from something existing, something tried and tested. Approaching them in terms of their content requires a look at the fundamentals. This is also true for the question of how carbon dioxide (CO2) from exhaust gases can be used for the production of plastics.
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Taking the fight to microplastics with lasers

16.05.2022

The newly developed laser-drilled microplastic filter filters out tiny microplastic particles in wastewater. As part of the "SimConDrill" project, 59 million holes with a diameter of ten micrometers were drilled into a filter sheet using a multi-beam process. The process was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT.
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Welcome to the family: COLOMBIAPLAST joins the K Global Gate portfolio

12.05.2022

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Training in the plastics industry: technical college and companies get trainees fit for the job

06.05.2022

At 16, did you already know where you wanted to go on your professional journey? With the range of choices available to young people today, it can be difficult to make a decision at first glance. That's why it's beneficial to be taken by the hand and introduced to different professions. Wentus GmbH from Höxter sets a good example.
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Brave new world – how design makes the plastics industry more sustainable

29.04.2022

When the first plastic was developed 150 years ago, it was a miracle for people at the time. Around 1950, the material contributed significantly to the economic miracle of the post-war period. Today, in view of the climate crisis, little is left of this image. In its exhibition "Plastic. Remaking Our World", the Vitra Design Museum wants to show how plastic can contribute to solving problems.
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Cost-effective, material-saving, local – Ultrathin Coating enables sustainable production of medical protective clothing

25.04.2022

We all remember the beginning of the Corona pandemic: the demand for medical protective clothing increased rapidly, leading to supply bottlenecks. Although the situation has calmed down again, the dependence of companies on global supply chains was exposed. Reifenhäuser is now specifically addressing this problem with its new Ultrathin Coating process.
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SWISS equips entire Boeing long-haul fleet with AeroSHARK

11.04.2022

Twelve Boeing 777-300ERs will gradually be fitted by SWISS with the riblet films developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF. The reduced frictional resistance makes the sub-fleet more economical and lower in emissions, thus reducing the environmental footprint.
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Change of brand strategy for the WITTMANN Group

04.04.2022

The WITTMANN Group has changed its brand strategy and is aiming for a one-brand strategy instead of the two-brand strategy.
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Mobile plastics recycling project wins WDO's World Design Impact Prize

30.03.2022

The Montreal-based World Design Organization has named a mobile, solar-powered, plastic-waste upcycling platform as the winner of its World Design Impact Prize™ for 2021.
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Same but different: say hello to the 3D printed trombone

25.03.2022

It looks and sounds like a standard trombone - but is actually lightweight and made of carbon fiber rather than brass metal. To craft the musical instrument using this raw material, additive manufacturing is the right application for success: the process provides great options to manufacture the relevant molds used to build the instrument.
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eCampus offers online training for employees in the plastics industry

04.03.2022

Knowledge is power – this also applies to the plastics industry. But training courses cost time and tie up participants, although they are actually needed elsewhere. So that companies do not have to do without employees for entire days during such training courses, the SKZ has developed the eCampus together with Hanser Verlag.
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App, AI, data glasses: digital toolbox for the plastics industry is well filled

28.02.2022

We live in a world in which processes are becoming increasingly complex. This also applies to the plastics industry. One way to support people in production with their demanding tasks is through digital tools – and not only on site at the plant, but also remotely. The increasing amount of data also contributes to predictive maintenance of machines.
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Breakthrough in separating plastic waste

21.02.2022

With a new technology it is possible to analyse and categorise the type of plastic by using a hyperspectral camera in the infrared area and machine learning. The technology makes it possible to separate plastics based on a purer chemical composition than is possible today, and this opens up for completely new opportunities to recycle plastics.
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Digital watermarks: sort post-consumer waste more intelligently

16.02.2022

How can plastic packaging become intelligent? By providing them with digital watermarks that can be read by sorting systems and thus simplify the sorting process. The fact that this technology works was proven in the pioneering HolyGrail 1.0 project with a proof of concept.
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Researchers seek to re-use waste plastics to make valuable petrochemicals

14.02.2022

With a new method West Virginia University engineers upcycle single-use plastic packaging into petrochemicals. The produced ethylene and BTX aromatics from plastic upcycling can be used as feedstocks to re-make plastics.
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DarWIN research project accelerates multi-manufacturer machine learning

07.02.2022

New AI-based process optimisation tools have been developed specifically targeting injection moulding machines. Plus10 and the SKZ performed a series of thorough AI pilot tests on Sumitomo (SHI) Demag machines.
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Jerome Romkey

20.01.2022

President, GN Thermoforming Equipment Co.
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Recyclability by Design – Electronics integrated in plastic becomes more sustainable

20.01.2022

The aim of the project ReIn-E project is to develop designs and sustainable materials to enable the recycling of the components.
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Bence Körmendi

19.01.2022

Petchem Business Unit Director, MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Company Plc.
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Turning plastic grocery bags into sustainable fuel

17.01.2022

More than 300 million tons of plastic waste are produced annually, which causes serious environmental issues. Consequently, most plastic waste ends up in either a landfill or the ocean. A significant number of plastics break down into microplastics, which are ingested by fish and other marine life causing havoc to marine ecosystems.
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Young plastics researchers are on the trail of proper recycling

07.01.2022

The Pöppelmann Research Week on the topic of "Plastics and Recycling" brought young people closer to the topics of plastics and recycling.
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Turning a problem into a solution: Wasser 3.0 studies ways to remove microplastics from water without a filter

15.12.2021

Plastic is an important material and a virtually irreplaceable component in many products. However, the breakdown and disposal of plastics after use also goes along with microplastics. At the end of its life cycle, plastic material first ends up in the environment and then comes back to us: a study has found that we ingest about five grams of plastic every week without realizing it.
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"The process window is very narrow and must be exactly controlled."

08.12.2021

What are the parameters that actually matter when it comes to wear protection? An interview with Anna Rottstegge, Head of Research & Development at Reifenhäuser Reiloy.
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Recycling: PolyWaste technology wants to make the term "plastic waste" obsolete

03.11.2021

It's no secret, and yet the numbers are shocking: less than one-tenth of the total amount of plastic produced to date has been recycled. Currently, the rate is 14 percent worldwide. A full 32 percent ends up in the environment. This urgently needs to change – which is what the Australian company PlasTech Recycling Limited thought as well. And so they developed an innovative technology.
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Fraunhofer IGB

Greenhouse gases headed for sustainability: How CO2 is turning into plastic

22.10.2021

Carbon dioxide is driving climate change. To combat it, emissions must be reduced. Fraunhofer researchers have developed an approach to use the climate gas as a raw material for plastics.
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Research guides future of plastic waste chemical recycling

18.10.2021

New research from Cornell University aims to ease the process of chemical recycling – an emerging industry that could turn waste products back into natural resources by physically breaking plastic down into the smaller molecules it was originally produced from.
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"If you never ask, you'll never know" – traineeship in plastics extrusion

12.10.2021

There is a desperate need for skilled workers in the plastics industry. Yet the industry has a lot to offer. Reifenhäuser GmbH also proves this with its diverse range of training programs.
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Electrosynthesis: preventing cathodic corrosion

12.10.2021

Sustainability is an important issue in business and industry these days. Many companies recognize the need to find the best possible climate-neutral solutions for manufacturing their products and reduce their output of pollutants. This means they are looking for manufacturing options that do not require the use of fossil raw materials.
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Simply more: Allrounder More! More space, modularity, and ease of use with multi-component injection moulding

28.09.2021

Arburg is launching a new series for production-efficient multi-component injection moulding: the Allrounder More, with its particularly flexible configuration, can now be perfectly adapted to specific customer and market requirements. The machines offer increased space for larger moulds, greater modularity during assembly, and numerous optimised features for easy use and simple maintenance.
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Clean room production of breast implants

14.09.2021

The Fraunhofer IPT has teamed up with BelloSeno GmbH to study biocompatible implants that are made using 3D printing. Kai Janning from the Fraunhofer IPT describes the conditions a medical device production facility must meet and reveals the latest successes of the researchers.
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The many ways that 'going digital' is changing manufacturing

23.08.2021

There are many aspects and forms of digitalization in manufacturing, ranging from Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing, to augmented and virtual reality, 5G connectivity, mobile apps, blockchain technology, and more.
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Sensor-based symphony: sorting and recycling in perfect harmony

30.07.2021

What can be recycled, and what can't? Sorting waste is a challenge – for both people and machines. TOMRA, pioneer in this field has introduced its new generation AUTOSORT in 2020 under the motto "Symphony of all sorts". This is intended to take the plastics industry a big step further towards sustainability.
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Soft robots: smart elastomers are making the robots of the future more touchy-feely

19.07.2021

Imagine flexible surgical instruments that can twist and turn in all directions like miniature octopus arms, or how about large and powerful robot tentacles that can work closely and safely with human workers on production lines.
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Cleaning up the polluted edge of the world: Lindner and Comberplast recycle fishing nets

31.05.2021

Presented at K 2019 in Düsseldorf and now used to clean up the edge of the world: Lindner Recyclingtech’s Micromat 1500. Circular economy pioneer Comberplast has been using the machine to successfully shred old fishing nets and ropes collected from the coast of Patagonia.
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