Machines & autmation Netstal pushes the limits for highperformance injection molding Swiss-based Netstal Maschinen AG continues to develop its technology for high-performance packaging applications, with the Elios 5500 PAC injection molding machine in focus. THE HYBRID MACHINE is designed for applications with high demands on productivity, process stability, and energy efficiency, particularly in the thin-wall segment, where fast cycle times and high injection speeds are crucial. Elios 5500 PAC is equipped with a clamping force of 550 tons and an injection unit featuring two-valve technology. The combination enables injection speeds of up to 1,100 mm/s and a maximum injection pressure of 2,400 bar, providing the conditions for fast and repeatable filling of complex, thinwall components. A KEY COMPONENT in the machine concept is Netstals The Elios 5500 PAC injection molding machine. RFC system (Responsive Filling Control), which continuously regulates the injection process to ensure high repeatability and stable part weight even at very short cycle times. This is particularly important when manufacturing packaging applications, where small variations can have a major impact on both quality and material consumption. The machines hybrid concept combines electric and hydraulic drive systems to optimize ener- Photo: Netstal gy usage. Together with integrated energy-recovery functions, Elios 5500 PAC is reported to reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent compared with traditional hydraulic machines. THE MACHINE ALSO includes functions for dynamic pressure optimization in the hydraulic system, reducing both energy consumption and component wear without affecting production capacity. At the most recent demon- stration, the machine ran with a cycle time of 3.8 seconds, corresponding to a production rate of approximately 3,800 parts per hour. Elios 5500 PAC is equipped with the Axos 9 control system, which gives the operator access to advanced process control and a user-friendly interface. With support for OPC UAbased Euromap standards, the machine can be integrated into connected production environments and complemented with services such as Netstal eService and Remote Control for remote monitoring, diagnostics, and service. WITH THE COMBINATION of high injection dynamics, energy-efficient operation, and digital production tools, Netstal positions the Elios 5500 PAC as a solution for manufacturers looking to maximize productivity in demanding high-volume applications. MALIN FOLKESSON Shibaura upgrades machinery with smart process control An all-electric injection molding machine from the EC-SXIII series is on display in Shibaura's booth at Fakuma in Japan. WITH THE S-CONCEPT, the machine series has been equipped with several intelligent standard functions for, among other things, more stable processes and more efficient processing of recycled material. The EC100SXIII injection molding machine, with a clamping force of 100 tons, is connected to an automated production cell. In the cell, a polypropylene business card holder is injection molded. The finished parts are removed from the mold by a linear robot from Star Automation and placed on a conveyor belt. With the demonstration, Shibaura wants to show how allelectric injection molding can be combined with automation and digital process control for high precision, stable production and low energy consumption. 22 With S-Concept, the manufacturer has upgraded the EC-SXIII series with a number of intelligent functions included as standard. One of these is DST-Fill Automatic. The function continuously monitors the viscosity of the plastic melt during the injection molding process. If the material properties change, the process parameters are automatically adjusted through feedback control. The technology is particularly interesting when using recycled material, where variations between material batches can make it The EC100SXIII injection molding machine with Photo: Shibaura a clamping force of 1000 kN. more difficult to keep the process within a stable process window. By compensating for the variations, the aim is to maintain consistent part quality without the operator having to continuously correct the machine settings. SHIBAURA ALSO HIGHLIGHTS the integration between the injection molding machine, the automation and the digital process monitoring. Closer interaction between these components is intended to contribute to higher overall equipment effectiveness, OEE, shorter downtimes and more robust production. At the same time, the development reflects a broader trend in the injection molding industry, where machine suppliers' offerings increasingly encompass complete and connected production solutions rather than just the injection molding machine itself. Shibaura is represented by BA Maskin AB in Sweden and Denmark. MALIN FOLKESSON Plastforum 5 2026 N ordic 21 SEPTEMBER 2026 5 Recycled plastic at the core of aquaculture FAKUMA TURNS 30 Shaping the future of plastics Growing defence demand benefits regional suppliers Nordic PVC players call for closer collaboration Contents 23 NCE DS RESILIE IL U B T S A PROPL TURE FOR THE FU NEED 42 AFORGROWING DIVERSE SKILLS 6 10 14 16 43 GROUP 9 SPENTERS THE UK Middle East conflict may have fuelled industry growth Lego builds new global manufacturing innovation centre Axjo Group expands further in Europe A stronger v Introduction A Nordic industry in transition first Nordic edition of Plastforum, where we take a look at a plastics industry facing new challenges and new opportunities. Plastics companies in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland are, in many respects, facing the same challenges. International compe PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 PA6.6 Masterbatches & Additives Masterbatches & Additives Additives Black & White Masterbatches & Masterbatches & Additives Masterbatches &White Additives Black & White Masterbatches & Additives Black & Masterbatches & Additives Blac News Middle East conflict may have fuelled plastics industry growth Swedens plastics industry is showing unexpectedly strong growth. The outlook in Denmark is also positive while Finland is heading for tougher times. Overall, however, Plastindustrien is seeing moderate growth, Drustrup writes in News Nexans invests in new halogen-free materials facility in Sweden The Swedich cable manufacturer Nexans is strengthening its Nordic production capacity through an investment of approximately SEK 100 million in a new Swedish facility for compounding halogenfree materials. According to Nexans, th News Through the acquisition, colour can be integrated as part of the properties of TeXtreme materials, rather than being applied as a finishing treatment. Photo: Oxeon AB Oxeon strengthens offering through acquisition of Hypetex CAM Borås-based Oxeon AB has acquired British Hypetex Coloured Advanc News SP Group enters the UK with OGM acquisition opens door to further deals After spending nearly one billion Danish kroner on acquisitions in twelve months, the Danish manufacturing group has entered the UK. The deal opens a new market and could provide a platform for further acquisitions. They News Photo material released in connection with the announcement shows that the new campuss injection molding facility is equipped with injection molding Photo: Lego Group machines from Wittmann Battenfeld and Engel GmbH. Lego invests in global manufacturing innovation with a new development centr News Plastic welding equipment & effective surface treatment and cleaning! Plastic welding equipment Joining of small and large thermoplastic parts, even with complex geometry. Weldingmethods such as: hot air and impulse staking,heat/mirror, hot gas, rotation, laser and induction. Lego mini figures News Billion selects Engel for future machinery investments FRENCH INJECTION MOULDING machine manufacturer Billion SAS and Engel have entered into a strategic partnership. The collaboration takes effect immediately and makes Engel Billions recommended supplier for the purchase of new machinery. Eng News Hexpol acquires Vipa Group Hexpol Group has acquired Italybased Vipa Group for 143.5 million euros. THE DEAL STRENGTHENS the Vipa Groups position in thermoplastic compounds for the cable industry. Vipa Group develops and manufactures thermoplastic compounds, focusing on wire & cable. The comp News Axjo Group expands further in Europe acquires French company Swedish Axjo Group is looking to strengthen its local presence in Europe. The company has now acquired French firm Eco-Tourets. EARLIER THIS YEAR, Axjo established Axjo GmbH in Cologne, Germany. Now, Axjo Group is continuing its ex Ringkammer- & turboblæsere Typer: Vakuum og tryk Ringkammerblæsere For indsugning/vakuum: Max tryk 650 mbar. Luftgennemstrømning max 1344 m3/h. For tryk/kompressor: Max tryk 780 mbar. Max luftmængde 1344 m3/h. Enkelt- og dobbeltkammer udførelse. Option: Med keramiske lejer til høj varme. KLEEblower News The Nordic PVC alliance: Speaking with a stronger voice in Brussels Rising EU regulation and stricter documentation requirements are prompting Nordic PVC players to strengthen their collaboration. At a general meeting in Stockholm, the industry discussed how shared knowledge and coordinated ef News PVC to remain in pharmaceutical packaging Three members of the European Parliament are calling for a shift from PVC to more recyclable materials in pharmaceutical packaging. The European Commission says, however, that no phase-out is currently planned, referring to existing rules, a forthcomin Tekniske og specialpolymerer fra førende producenter Tekniske og specialpolymerer fra førende producenter +4539629808 +4539629808 +4539629808 info-dk@resinex.com info-dk@resinex.com info-dk@resinex.com www.resinex.com www.resinex.com www.resinex.com SCAN SCAN ME ME SCAN ME Machines & autmation Desma moves up a gear new Sealmaster with 630 tonnes of clamping force Klöckner Desma GmbH is expanding its Sealmaster range for elastomer injection molding with the Sealmaster 630+, a horizontal machine with a clamping force of 6,300 kN. THE MODEL WILL make its debut at the c Machines & autmation Wittmann showcases new allelectric machine Wittmann is launching the allelectric EcoPrimus injection moulding machine at Fakuma 2026. Together with compact automation solutions and technology for micro injection moulding and LSR, the manufacturer aims to demonstrate how energy, Machines & autmation Arburg makes major move with new acquisition German injection moulding machine manufacturer Arburg is acquiring Dutch machine manufacturer Stork IMM. are coming together, which is a clear advantage for both the companies and their customers, he says. Stork IMM is particularly Machines & autmation Netstal pushes the limits for highperformance injection molding Swiss-based Netstal Maschinen AG continues to develop its technology for high-performance packaging applications, with the Elios 5500 PAC injection molding machine in focus. THE HYBRID MACHINE is designed for appl Feature For Peter Rosenkrands, future-proofing the company is, among other things, about spreading knowledge throughout the organization and making the company less dependent on individuals. Photo: Anne Ristorp Kraufeldt Proplast builds resilience for the future: We have to be ready for whatever co Feature PETER ROSENKRANDS WAS standing in a hospital in Brazil. One of his closest employees had collapsed. Could it be a blood clot? The symptoms seemed to point in that direction. His leg was deep red, and the discolouration was spreading by the hour. His mobile phone barely worked. The hospital PROPLAST Proplast A/S in Præstø was established in 1975. The company manufactures extruded plastic hoses, tubes, profiles and tapes and advises customers on design, materials, packaging and transport. Proplast's roots date back to 1959, when Palle Knudsen began producing plastic hoses for pneumatic Feature Increasing documentation requirements, traceability, and customer demands are making day-to-day operations in production more complex. As a result, digital tools are playing an increasingly important role at the factory in Præstø. Photo: Anne Ristorp Kraufeldt But AI must be used responsibl ADVERTORIAL The Danish Plastics Federation BRINGING THE NORDIC PLASTICS INDUSTRY TOGETHER Drustrup: The time is right for a Nordic polymer network The voice of Denmarks plastics industry Meeting the new generation Bringing industry perspectives into policy Plastic packaging takes the stage at Food ADVERTORIAL The time is right for a Nordic polymer network By Thomas Drustrup, Managing Director We are living through a period of profound change technologically, politically and commercially. War and geopolitical uncertainty have altered the way we think about security of supply and strategic d ADVERTORIAL The first Nordic Polymer Network Conference takes place in Copenhagen on November 17 2026. Read more on www.plast.dk. New conference brings the Nordic plastics industry together On November 17 2026, representatives from the plastics industry of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland will ADVERTORIAL A strong platform for the What do LEGO, Coloplast and a wide range of small and mediumsized Danish plastics companies have in common? They are part of an industry that spans the entire value chain from raw materials and manufacturing to technology, recycling and end products. And many ADVERTORIAL Danish plastics industry The Danish Plastics Federations annual industry day brings companies together for insights, debate and networking here with Managing Director Thomas Drustrup welcoming participants. Newsletter Get the latest news, opinion pieces, press releases and insights fr ADVERTORIAL Talking plastics at Denmarks Youth Democracy Festival What does it take to give used plastic a new life? At the Youth Democracy Festival in Copenhagen, young visitors saw first-hand how used plastic packaging could be turned into necklaces and keyrings sparking a broader conversation a ADVERTORIAL Participants at the conference in 2024. Invitation: How do we choose the plastic packaging of the future? The Danish Plastics Federation, Plastindustrien, invites everyone interested to a two-day conference programme during FoodTech at the MCH Messecenter Herning, Denmark, on October 2 ADVERTORIAL Bringing industry experience into policymaking How can practical experience from across the plastics value chain be turned into better policy? In Denmark, the Danish Plastics Federation regularly brings together member companies and other stakeholders to develop concrete recommendations EU regulations One advantage of chemically recycled plastic is that it can be used in contact with food. Photo: Colourbox Chemically recycled plastic up to 3.5 times more expensive regulation could be decisive Chemically recycled plastic is up to 3.5 times more expensive than virgin plastic, acco Fakuma Fakuma celebrates 30 years focus on innovation, expertise and the future of the plastics industry When Fakuma opens its doors in Friedrichshafen from 12 to 16 October 2026, it will be more than just another international plastics trade fair. Text MALIN FOLKESSON THIS YEAR'S EDITION marks th re. The initiative is aimed at upper secondary school students, university students and young professionals, who will have the opportunity to meet international companies, learn about modern production technologies and gain a concrete picture of career opportunities in the plastics industry. The ini Fakuma Photo: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag SHI is going all-electric all the way Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is participating this year at Fakuma with a clear focus on all-electric solutions and connected production. AT ITS BOOTH in hall B1, the company, together with, among others, Technotrans and several syst Arburg puts digitalisation at the center In its booth, Arburg produces LSR closures in an electric Allrounder 1800 e Trend. At Fakuma 2026, Arburg is putting the spotlight on digitalisation and smart production solutions. Illustration: Arburg GmbH UNDER THE THEME Smartest Factory, the manufactur ADVERTORIAL From machine supplier to production partner As the plastics industry changes, so do the demands placed on those who supply its technology. For Battenfeld Sverige, this evolution has meant a journey from traditional machine agency to technical partner in automation, recycling, and comple Fakuma Production cell cuts automation footprint by 40 percent At Fakuma 2026, BOY is presenting its entire machine range in a new design. 2.6 metres. The entire production cell can also be moved. THE HANDLING SYSTEM is controlled directly via Procan Alpha 6, which shares the machine's data and e Fakuma We need more people in a wide range of roles Swedens plastics industry needs operators, technicians and engineers but also people from a wide range of other professions. Through a new partnership, Spif, the Swedish Plastics Industry Association, hopes to show that the industry offers a much Innovation Recycled plastic will now be used in the aquaculture industry. A project is well underway to make this happen. The image is for illustration only and does Photo: Colourbox not show the featured project. Recycled plastic making its way into the core of aquaculture facilities The aquacult Interview Building closed-loop systems for plastics Marinloopen shows the way Recycling plastic is one thing. Creating profitable material flows that can compete with virgin raw materials is something entirely different. Text PETER OLOFSSON F or Orbit Supply Chain, that is precisely where the bu This will allow us to analyze materials ourselves, develop formulations, optimize different recycled plastic grades, and produce our own raw materials for testing. It will become an important part of our continued development. ONE OF ORBITS most high-profile projects is Marin- loopen, which emerged Innovation Prefabricated pipe solutions halved staffing needs at Strawberrys new flagship hotel Comfort Hotel Quadrum is part of the Quadrum urban development project in Kristiansand and, with its 15 floors, will become the citys second-highest building. and quick to install. The built-in leak war Defence Nordic - The Overview of Nordic Defence and Security Nordiske Medier is launching a new media outlet focused on the Nordic defence industry. We call it Defence Nordic. The Nordic region is in the midst of a fundamental shift in security policy. Defence Nordic is a new, specialised news platf ADVERTORIAL Delivering advanced polymer solutions across the Nordics Distrupol, a member of Omya Performance Polymer Distribution For many years, Distrupol has been a trusted polymer partner across the Nordics, helping manufacturers identify, source, and develop innovative material solutions. Thro Innovation AI to simplify quality assessment of recycled plastics A German research project is set to use AI to make recycled packaging plastics easier to assess and use in industrial applications. Its objectives include improved quality data for packaging manufacturers, recyclers and brand owners. EU Regulations New EU PET rules set to increase costs for thousands of companies The European Commission has approved new rules on how recycled plastic content in PET bottles is to be calculated, verified and reported. Around 3,000 companies are expected to face additional costs as a result of the EU Regulations Requirement: 15 percent recycled plastic in cars The EU's new rules on end-of-life vehicles have entered into force. The regulation tightens requirements on vehicle design, recycling and the use of recycled materials, among other areas. From 2032, at least 15 percent of the plastic i EU Regulations Vartdal Plast managing director Jan Endre Vartdal believes Norway is too passive when it comes to EU regulation. Photo: Vartdal Plast Norway needs to be more proactive towards the EU Jan Endre Vartdal fears the consequences for the seafood industry and its associated value chains. Defence New defence contract for Marstrom in carbon-fiber composites No technical details about the components or the application in question are being disclosed. Marstroms strong position as a supplier of advanced composite solutions to the international defence industry. We continue to see high Defence A total of 1,244 companies from 28 countries exhibited at DALO Industry Days 2026. Photo: Eskil Mann Sørensen From drones to transport: Plastics industry turns to defence Defence was once regarded as a sensitive market. Now plastics manufacturers are flocking to Danish defence industry ex Leverantörsguiden finns även på plastnet.se leverantörsguiden NÄR NI SÖKER PROFFS I BRANSCHEN Processing & Contract Manufacturing INJECTION MOULDING (CONTRACT) PROCESSING OF THERMOPLASTICS AB Jan O. Mattsson Box 44100 100 73 STOCKHOLM tel: 08131400 info@janomattsson.se www.janomattsson.se EXTRU Leverantörsguiden www.plastnet.se Compounds, Masterbatch, Colouring Verktygsmakarna i Värnamo AB Lundbyvägen 19 33153 Värnamo Tel. 0370307530 www.verktygsmakarna.se Bang & Bonsomer AB fd Unicolor Margretetorpsvägen 208 262 91 Ängelholm Tel: 0431-265 10 Jens.Nilsson@bangbonsomer.com www.bangbonsom Leverantörsguiden www.plastnet.se RISE Research Institutes of Sweden Box 857, 501 15 BORÅS Box 104, 431 22 MÖLNDAL Box 271, 941 26 PITEÅ Tel: 010-516 50 00 info@ri.se www.ri.se Equipment & Accessories TENSILE TESTERS Elastocon AB Tvinnargatan 25 507 30 BRÄMHULT tel: 033-3233900 info@elastocon.se Report Europes transition to a circular plastics economy is slowing Europes transition to a circular economy for plastics is losing momentum, despite continued growth in both recycling and the use of circular feedstocks. lected plastic waste still goes to incineration or landfill, demonstrating, a ADVERTORIAL A businesswoman through and through This year, Mahsam AB, based in Anderstorp, was named Machine Supplier of the Year. The award is primarily a recognition of Mahsa Farajollahi, who has successfully carried on and further developed her fathers lifes work. MAHSA FARAJOLLAHIS FATHER built Avs: Nordiske Medier Stockholm AB Greta Garbos väg 13 SE-169 40 Solna MASTERBATCHES THAT MAKE MASTERBATCHES RECYCLED THAT MAKEPLASTICS PERFORM RECYCLEDBETTER PLASTICS PERFORM BETTER Higher recycled content without losing quality Improve strength and material properties in Highermelt recycled conte