MULTIVAC will be presenting itself (Hall 8a, Stand H01) at this year's Compamed as a supplier of integrated solutions for the healthcare sector. A new machine model, the R 3 thermoforming packaging machine, will be exhibited at the trade fair, and it is designed for entry level, automatic packing of medical products, which place relatively low demands on the packaging. Another focus of MULTIVAC's presence at the trade fair will be the presentation of sustainable packaging concepts.

Expansion of the product range in the entry-level sector
The R 3 thermoforming packaging machine, which is being shown to the medical sector for the first time, is suitable for packing low-risk medical products, such as for example disposable syringes, laboratory supplies and connectors etc, which are frequently produced in large quantities and packed in conventional thermoformed packs. Some of the features of the machine are its outstanding price-to-performance ratio, as well as its simple servicing and maintenance. The machine at Compamed will show a flexible film pack with uncoated medical paper as the upper web, which is suitable for packing disposable products. Before the upper web is sealed, it is printed by a Bell-Mark InteliJet Traverse HD printer, and the print image is subsequently inspected by a MULTIVAC vision system. 

Traysealer designed to meet the high demands of the medical in-dustry 
Other exhibits include the T 260 traysealer, a mobile and compact model, which is designed for running a wide spectrum of trays, and which offers companies packing small to medium-sized batches a high degree of process reliability, reproducibility, and above all flexibility. The sealing die ensures that a controlled sealing pressure and precise temperature distribution are achieved. Critical parameters are moni-tored permanently by sensors.

Secure packaging of medical products in film pouches
When it comes to packing sterile medical products in film pouches, 
MULTIVAC will be showing the C 300 TC chamber machine. It enables packs to be produced either as vacuum packs or with modified atmos-phere and reduced residual oxygen content. A temperature-controlled and permanently heated sealing bar ensures that this cleanroom-compatible machine achieves reproducible sealing quality, and the whole process can be calibrated and validated. 

Modular carrier system for the controlled transportation, loading and buffering of syringes
Among the exhibits will also be a modular carrier system with the       H 242 handling module, which in this example will be demonstrating the loading of syringes into combi packs. The integrated and high-performance vision system ensures that, even at high output, all the packs are inspected rigorously for completeness of content. The system also checks, whether the individual products have been loaded correctly into the pack cavities.

Sustainable packaging solutions for medical products
Sustainable packaging solutions, which are increasingly gaining in sig-nificance in the medical products industry, are another featured topic at the trade fair. A variety of packaging concepts will be shown on the stand, and these make a significant contribution to saving consumable material and resources in the packaging process, as well as providing better pack recyclability. 

“Significant savings in consumable materials can be made with our machines, such as for example the reduction in film thickness, the close matching of the pack size to the product, and the optimised design of the pack format in the machine. Other potential savings can be achieved by reduced cross cutting waste, smaller partition widths between the packs, as well as narrower edge trims,” explains Verena Vetter, Product Manager for Medical & Pharma Solutions at MULTIVAC. “We can also support our customers, when it comes to better recyclability: The trend in the market is going away from multi-layer films, which can not be recycled, towards fully recyclable polyolefin solutions. Our machines are designed in such a way, that they can run a wide range of materials without problems, and these include mono materials from PP or PE, as well as recyclable polyolefin solutions made of PE/PP.”

By using machines designed in the MULTIVAC e-Concept, customers can also save resources during the packaging process itself: These machines enable savings to be made in the compressed air and cooling water consumption, as well as energy savings through the use of electrical instead of pneumatic drives.

About the MULTIVAC Group
Packaged expertise, innovative cutting-edge technology and strong brands under one roof: The MULTIVAC Group offers complete solutions for the packaging and processing of food, medical and pharmaceutical products, as well as industrial items – and as the technology leader, it continues to set new benchmarks in the market. For more than 60 years the name MULTIVAC has stood for stability, strong values, innovation and future security, as well as quality and excellent service. Founded in 1961 in the Allgäu region of Germany, the MULTIVAC Group is today a global solutions supplier, which supports small and medium-sized companies, as well as large corporate businesses, in designing their production processes to be efficient and resource-saving. The product portfolio comprises a wide range of packaging technology, automation solutions, labelling and marking equipment, inspection systems and packaging materials. The product range is complemented by practical and customised solutions for food processing - from slicers and por-tioning machines right up to bakery technology. All the packaging and processing solutions are individually matched to customer require-ments in the company's own application and development facilities. Around 7,000 MULTIVAC staff in more than 80 subsidiaries worldwide ensure that the company remains close to its customers, as well as providing the maximum customer satisfaction - from the first project concept right through to after-sales service. Further information at: www.multivac.com
 

New Pentafill® A25 Filling & Sealing Machine offers improved sterility and high output in compact footprint; company also will showcase pharmaceutical-grade rubber formulations, as well as transparent Sustainable Blister Package system.  
 
Wayne, PA – TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, will tout its recently incorporated next-generation filling and sealing machine for plastic containers at CPHI Barcelona, October 24-26. At Booth 2G19, the company will highlight the Pentafill® A25 Filling & Sealing Machine, which offers several improvements over previous models, including improved sterility and a smaller footprint. 

TekniPlex Healthcare’s introduction of the updated PentafIll® A25 filling and sealing machine brings several advantages over its predecessor. In addition to the enhanced sterility afforded by fully automatic mechanisms, the machine does not require preheating with hot air, significantly mitigating any risk of compromising the filled product. The unit also has no central machine support, allowing for unobstructed laminar flow. Capable of producing up to 25 five-vial strips (125 vials total) per minute, the versatile unit is suitable for filling a wide range of viscosities for applications serving the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, nutraceuticals and animal health markets. 

“As we expand our global presence in the pharmaceutical packaging market, we’re listening to our customers’ needs and innovating accordingly,” said Bryan Wesselmann, VP of Sales and Marketing for TekniPlex Healthcare. “Our customers expressed a need for improved sterility and the minimization of potential product contamination while filling, and the Pentafill® design team delivered.”

Also at CPHI, TekniPlex Healthcare will showcase one of its most notable recent sustainability breakthroughs: the world’s first fully transparent recyclable mid-barrier blister package. Recyclable in geographies where the #5 (polypropylene) recycling stream is available, the mid-barrier blisters feature a polyolefin blister film paired with a barrier PP lidding film. This marks the first time a formed blister + lidding combination is certified as recyclable– a significant milestone in the evolving push to make healthcare packaging more sustainable. TekniPlex Healthcare also will exhibit a fully recyclable polyester mono-material blister + lidding combination, suitable for products that do not require barrier protection. 

TekniPlex Healthcare also will be highlighting its Flexapharm® SBC series of PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride) coated PVC structures, which offer exemplary barrier against oxygen and moisture. Also on display will be an array of Aclar® laminates designed to preserve the efficacy and shelf life of drugs with demanding environmental protection requirements. 

Finally, TekniPlex Healthcare will exhibit examples of its pharma rubber compounding and manufacturing solutions for healthcare applications, including gaskets and closures. Manufactured to precise dimensional tolerances to ensure proper fit and function within packaging or medical devices, the company’s pharma-grade rubber substantially minimizes the risk of migration-associated impurities like extractables and leachables. In addition, TekniPlex’s modern laboratories enable development and testing of unique rubber solutions for customer-specific applications. 

About TekniPlex Healthcare
TekniPlex Healthcare utilizes advanced materials science expertise and technologies to develop and deliver critical solutions for medical and diagnostic devices, drug delivery systems and healthcare packaging applications. With a global reach, the division’s deep understanding of the greater pharmaceuticals and medical landscape helps it produce exemplary barrier properties for drugs and precision medical devices for interventional and therapeutic procedures. TekniPlex Healthcare’s ever-evolving portfolio helps meet demands for high-leverage medicines and mission-critical healthcare products that benefit care providers and patients. For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com/healthcare. 
 

Oberschleissheim, September 27, 2023 – The newly developed Freeze-Light-Protect syringe label from Schreiner MediPharm is suitable for deep-freeze applications at temperatures far below zero and at the same time offers individual light protection. Consequently, it is particularly well-suited for use with sensitive mRNA-based substances as well as for cell and gene therapies. Schreiner MediPharm is going to present this innovative label for the first time at this year’s PDA Universe of Pre-Filled Syringes and Injection Devices in Gothenburg from October 17 to 18.

Therapies and vaccines with mRNA substances as well as cell and gene therapies are becoming increasingly important. However, these novel active ingredients entail special challenges: On the one hand, they must be transported and stored on dry ice at freezing temperatures of down to -100 °C. On the other hand, special light protection is frequently required, depending on the type of substance. Precisely for these applications, Schreiner MediPharm has developed the Freeze-Light-Protect syringe label.  

Freeze-Light-Protect securely adheres to the syringe despite extremely low temperatures and enables reliable marking. In addition, the specialty label can be provided with a variety of UV and light protection levels. The first level strictly provides UV protection, level two protects against UV rays and blue light, and level three delivers full light protection. The light protection level can be precisely customized to suit the specific requirements of the active ingredient. Additional functionalities may be integrated as well: detachable documentation labels for vaccination cards or patients’ medical records, inspection windows for checking the syringe contents in unadulterated color, and graduations for correct dosing of injections. 

The novel label from Schreiner MediPharm was developed in coordination with its partner SCHOTT Pharma who launched the SCHOTT TOPPAC® freeze syringe. The 1 ml long COC syringe was developed for medicines with temperatures down to -100 °C with a view to retaining the syringe’s functionality and integrity of the syringe closure, thus securing the stability of the drug. Schreiner MediPharm’s Freeze-Light-Protect was tested specifically for the SCHOTT TOPPAC® freeze syringe in order to prove the reliability of the label-integrated protective functions and other features. 

Thanks to the combination of the Freeze-Light-Protect label and SCHOTT TOPPAC® freeze syringe, pharmaceutical companies are provided with a pre-qualified solution that can be customized to suit the relevant application. Due to the concentrated expertise of Schreiner MediPharm and SCHOTT Pharma, they are optimally supported in bringing their deep-frozen drugs to the market. 

About Schreiner MediPharm
Schreiner MediPharm, a business unit of Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG based in Oberschleissheim near Munich, is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative, multifunctional specialty labels and marking solutions with value-added benefits for the healthcare industry. Thanks to its strong solutions expertise and specialized know-how Schreiner MediPharm is a highly capable development partner and reliable quality supplier to leading pharmaceutical and medical device technology companies worldwide.

About SCHOTT Pharma
SCHOTT Pharma designs solutions grounded in science to ensure that medications are safe and easy to use for people around the world – because human health matters. The portfolio comprises drug containment and delivery solutions for injectable drugs ranging from prefillable glass and polymer syringes to cartridges, vials, and ampoules. Every day, a team of around 4,700 people from over 65 nations works at SCHOTT Pharma to contribute to global healthcare. The company is represented in all main pharmaceutical hubs with 16 manufacturing sites in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. With over 1,000 patents and technologies developed in-house, a state-of-the-art R&D center in Switzerland, and around 130 employees in R&D, the company is focused on developing innovations for the future. SCHOTT Pharma AG & Co. KGaA, headquartered in Mainz, Germany, is part of SCHOTT AG that is owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. In light of this spirit, SCHOTT Pharma is committed to sustainable development for society and the environment and has the strategic goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030. Currently, SCHOTT Pharma has over 1,800 customers including the top 30 leading pharma manufacturers for injectable drugs and generated sales of EUR 821 million in the fiscal year 2022.

A stellar line-up of speakers for the upcoming AIPIA World Congress is taking shape. These already include leading global on-line retailer Amazon and major brands such as AB InBev and Unilever.

The event – held in the iconic Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam, 14-15 November – is the only global event for the Smart Packaging sector and brings together stakeholders from the active and intelligent packaging industry and users to share information on trends and the latest connected and active technology developments. 
This year the Congress is co-located with the Sustainable Packaging Summit. Both will benefit from the synergies which are being identified between the sustainability agenda and smart technologies, which can aid recycling and reuse of materials and packs, as well as helping to deliver messages about the environmental agenda to consumers. 
Major technology providers Crane Automation, OMRON and Zebra Technologies are Platinum sponsors of the Congress and will exhibit some of their latest innovations as well as making keynote presentations. They will be joined by other leading smart packaging technology developers such as Antares Vision Group, AlmaScience, STMicroelectronics, Securikett, Toppan and Wiliot with others important companies set to confirm very soon.
Eef de Ferrante, managing director of AIPIA, commenting on the line up, said, “We have some familiar returning faces who are always at the forefront of smart packaging innovation and so, always with something new to say, as well as some fresh faces to add their own unique take on the way our industry is developing.”
“With 20 + demonstration booths, top quality panel sessions featuring  some of the thought leaders in the sector, plus an exciting Brand Challenge from AB InBev the Congress is set to be a very dynamic and disruptive event. Running at the same time as the Sustainable Packaging Summit also adds a different and highly relevant dimension to the proceedings,” he added. 
“In the coming weeks we will reveal more details of the presentations and panels and confirm the Brand Challenge topic and scope. But much of the agenda can be seen already on the AIPIA website and this will, as usual, be updated in real time as details are finalised,” explained AIPIA’s communications director Andrew Manly. 
To see the latest program information and to book your delegate pass to the AIPIA World Congress just visit the AIPIA website: www.aipia.info

About: AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association is the global Smart Packaging hub with 1800 + members in over 50 countries across 6 continents. Our mission is to decimate supply chain costs, improve product security and provenance, enhance consumer engagement, increase food safety and advance sustainability and recycling by better communication and information. AIPIA is the 'go to' organisation for the latest information on applications and smart packaging developments.

Food and beverage brands constantly launch new products and new packages, many of which are posted to social media —

To meet the increasing demand for packaging solutions for sterile goods, SÜDPACK Medica AG is investing in the expansion of its site in the Orne
region of France. At the groundbreaking ceremony for the plant in Coulmer on September 19, the company will lay an important foundation stone for the further consolidation of its status as a leading producer of pouch-making material under ISO 7 clean room conditions.

“The expansion of our production capacities will allow us to position ourselves even more strongly in the pharmaceutical sector in addition to the medical goods industry,” emphasizes Thomas Freis, Managing Director of SÜDPACK Medica. For more than 30 years, SÜDPACK Medica has been a proven partner to the healthcare industry. The company’s site in Coulmer primarily manufactures sterile barrier pouches, such as those used in packaging for implants. It also produces a wide range of reel material and lidding solutions made of film, Tyvek® and paper. In future, the plant will also focus on the production of header bags, especially for large-volume medical technology products that typically undergo ETO sterilisation. Typical applications range from syringe nests and pipette boxes to surgical kits, wound-care products and surgical textiles.

Consistent focus on customer and market requirements

In recent years, the company has invested in flow pack and 3-side-seal pouch machines to meet the increased demand for films and pouch-making material that can be used at various points in the value chain, including in the pharmaceutical industry. These products are an optimal packaging concept for products such as stoppers, filters or connectors. They are also ideal as simple media packaging and especially as transfer packaging.

Thomas Freis believes that these transport and process packaging solutions, which are used to transport products between cleanrooms or to the point of use, harbor enormous market potential for SÜDPACK Medica: “The glass bottles, ampoules or syringes required for administering liquid parenterals such as infusions must be completely sterile before filling. By almost doubling our ISO 7-compliant clean room production facility as a result of the plant expansion, we will be an even more efficient supplier to the market – with high quality standards and an uncompromising promise of quality.”

for what is currently the largest single project at SÜDPACK Medica. SÜDPACK Medica’s French site is certified to ISO 13485 (medical + diagnostic) and 15378 (primary packaging – GMP), making it the ideal choice for the production of sterile barrier systems for medical technology and diagnostic applications, as well as primary packaging for pharmaceuticals.

At the official groundbreaking ceremony, Carolin Grimbacher and Johannes Remmele, the shareholders of SÜDPACK, were joined by Erik Bouts, CEO of the SÜDPACK Group as well as Thomas Freis, Managing Director of SÜDPACK Medica AG and, last but not least, the head of the investment project, Frederic Covasso, and plant manager Samuel Wilquin. Chantal Nicoleau, the mayor of Coulmer, was enthusiastic about SÜDPACK’s investment, which is also linked to the creation of new jobs – sentiments echoed by Sébastien Gourdel, the chairman of the local “Vallées d’Auge et du Merlerault” municipal association, in his speech during the ceremony. Other guests who gladly accepted SÜDPACK Medica’s invitation included Agnès Laigre, vice president of the local “Vallées d’Auge et du Merlerault” municipal association, Jean Pierre Feret, member of the departmental council, as well as high-ranking representatives of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the contracted construction companies.

About SÜDPACK Medica AG

SÜDPACK Medica AG is headquartered in Baar (CH) and is one of the leading suppliers of sterile packaging solutions in Europe as well as a pioneering partner for the global medical, pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries. The company is part of the SÜDPACK company group and was founded in 1989. The core competency of SÜDPACK Medica is the development of plastic-based packaging solutions for sterile goods. The product and performance range of SÜDPACK Medica extends from standard solutions to tailor-made, customer-specific packaging concepts. It includes the production of coextruded flexible and rigid films, which are used as base and lidding films, and of pre-made pouch solutions for a wide variety of products. SÜDPACK Medica also benefits from the SÜDPACK Group’s long-standing leadership in technology and innovation in the coextrusion of polymer-based film solutions.

The production of SÜDPACK Medica products is performed at four sites in France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. These sites are equipped with the latest plant technology and manufacture to the highest standards of quality and hygiene, including the capacity to operate under clean room conditions.

For optimal support and collaboration with their customers around the world, SÜDPACK Medica relies on a specialist team working in quality, sales, development and application technology, one that has long-standing expertise in polymers and process engineering and in the market for sterile packaging. This makes SÜDPACK Medica a competent solutions partner for their customers when it comes to the implementation of packaging solutions, including those with the most demanding requirements.

SÜDPACK is committed to sustainable development and fulfills its responsibility as an employer and towards society, the environment and its customers. With its own site for processing biopolymers and its own compounding facilities, the SÜDPACK Group is also among the trailblazers in the production of forward-looking, sustainable and recyclable packaging concepts.

 In a unique value chain collaboration, Siegwerk, ExxonMobil, Henkel, Kraus Folie, and Windmöller & Hölscher created a recyclable stand up mono-material PE pouch. This innovation won the Gold award in the sustainability category of the German Packaging Awards on 13 September 2023. The awards are described as being dedicated to the “who’s who of the best ideas.”

The award was one of only four gold awards out of 34, and was granted in recognition of the breakthrough development of the fully recyclable mono-material PE pouch created through the collaboration.  The new pouches utilize the latest polymers, inks, functional coatings, adhesives and conversion technology. The innovation allows for pouches that provide a high oxygen barrier, outstanding package integrity and excellent shelf-appeal, and produces an almost colorless recyclate after the removal of printing ink and the oxygen-barrier coating layer.
According to the jury adjudicating this year’s award, “This technology, which now also allows internally printed laminates to become high-quality recyclate again in material recycling, has set another milestone on the path towards a fully functioning circular economy.”

The project partners agree on the extraordinary added value of the collaboration:
“Given the increased regulatory and consumer demand for less packaging waste and more sustainable packaging structures, the benefits of sharing knowledge in strategic partnerships such as this one cannot be overstated. This initiative proves that functionality and performance doesn’t have to be sacrificed to achieve recyclability,” said Dr. Ralf Leineweber, Head of Global Technology Development at Siegwerk.

“The present project underpins the importance of collaboration across the value chain to drive innovation towards a more circular economy. With recyclability becoming a key requirement of packaging, the combination of performance polyethylene with materials and processes designed to feature sustainability benefits allows for a realistic alternative to today’s multimaterial packaging,” said Dr. Joachim Laun, Senior Polyethylene Technologist at ExxonMobil.

“This successful cooperation shows in an impressive way that the challenges of a circular economy can only be overcome through strategic partnerships along the value chain and working together toward a common goal. With the oxygen barrier coating developed in cooperation with Siegwerk as well as with a laminating adhesive compatible with recycling we could make an important contribution to this innovative mono-material flexible packaging for dry food products,” said Stefan Glötzel, Senior Manager Business Development at Henkel.

"At Windmöller & Hölscher, we've always strived to push the boundaries of innovation in the packaging industry. Working with industry leaders on this project has been a remarkable journey. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive sustainability in the world of packaging, “ said Wolfgang Sprehe, Manger Technical Center at Windmöller & Hölscher.

About Siegwerk
Siegwerk is one of the leading global manufacturers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels. Based on 200 years of expertise, we provide customized solutions for all types of packaging needs - from functional and eye-catching to safe and sustainable. As a sixth-generation family business, we have long been aware of our responsibility for future generations. Under the motto “rethINK packaging”, we are therefore actively driving the transformation to a circular economy by developing eco-friendly solutions that enable packaging circularity. Here, 30+ country organizations and ~5,000 employees worldwide ensure consistent high-quality products and customized support around the world. Learn more at www.siegwerk.com

Siegwerk supported the project as strategic partner from 2020 to 2023. Together with other partners great achievement were made during this time in Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia: more than 130.000 people have received access to waste management, more than 120 permanent jobs were created and more than 5000 metric tonnes of waste were collected. The project has been further expanded with a new material recovery facility in Banyuwangi.

 
Banyuwangi, Indonesia, 20 September 2023. – Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, was present at a ceremony in Banyuwangi on 16 September 2023 to celebrate the inauguration of the Balak Material Recovery Facility, co-hosted by Project STOP Banyuwangi and the Banyuwangi Government.

Siegwerk became a strategic partner of Project STOP in 2020, thereby actively supporting the creation of circular waste management systems in Indonesia to eliminate leakage of plastics into the environment. Project STOP, a frontline initiative co-founded by Borealis and SYSTEMIQ, designs, implements and scales circular economy solutions to marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. Since its launch in 2017, Project STOP has welcomed various industrial, governmental, academic, and community partners designing, implementing, and scaling circular economy solutions to prevent plastic waste pollution.

In 2022, Project STOP’s first city partnership in Muncar, also located in the Banyuwangi regency in East Java, achieved all financial, governance and technical targets, thereby demonstrating that public-private partnerships can work to permanently reduce waste and plastics leakage into the environment and ocean. This success was further built on in Pasuruan, proving that the Project STOP model is sustainable and scalable. The inauguration of Balak Material Recovery Facility will continue the ambition to scale. The target is to reach 250,000 residents.

“Project STOP is an example of the success that can be achieved when industry and government partners collaborate effectively. For Siegwerk, this has been a very rewarding endeavor to be a part of,” said Ralf Hildenbrand, President Americas, Global Technology, Product Safety & Responsibility and Circular Economy at Siegwerk.

“It is so important to think in terms of systems if we hope to tackle the plastic waste crisis. This means reducing packaging or designing packaging that can be recycled or reused, and additionally paying attention to waste collection and management infrastructures in areas where these aspects might be falling short. Siegwerk is dedicated to enabling circular packaging through innovation and design, and this inauguration is a celebration of achieving success in the waste management sphere as well,” added Alina Marm, Global Head of Sustainability and Circular Economy at Siegwerk.

The Banyuwangi Regency, where Muncar and Balak are located, lies east on the island of Java, which is one of the important economic centers in Indonesia, and home of more than half of Indonesia's population. This effort as a whole aims to contribute to Indonesia's national commitment to reduce marine plastic pollution by 70% by 2025.

 
About Siegwerk
Siegwerk is one of the leading global manufacturers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels. Based on 200 years of expertise, we provide customized solutions for all types of packaging needs - from functional and eye-catching to safe and sustainable. As a sixth-generation family business, we have long been aware of our responsibility for future generations. Under the motto “rethINK packaging”, we are therefore actively driving the transformation to a circular economy by developing eco-friendly solutions that enable packaging circularity.

Pair of materials science technical experts to present ‘New Tubing Advancements Drive Dramatic Improvements for Critical Fluid Transfer Applications.’

Wayne, PA – TekniPlex Healthcare, which utilizes advanced materials science expertise to help deliver better patient outcomes, will give a presentation exploring materials science progress that significantly aids the administration of critical liquids and other medical fluids at AMI’s Medical Tubing & Catheters Conference, November 1-2 in Tampa, FL. On November 1 at 9:50am, two TekniPlex Healthcare experts – Alex Kakad, Global Product Manager, and Gary Mizenko, Global Head of Technical Operations – will present New Tubing Advancements Drive Dramatic Improvements for Critical Fluid Transfer Applications.

Among other points of interest, those attending the lecture will learn about unique tubing solutions for peristaltic pump applications that offer multiple, marked improvements over their conventional, silicone-based counterparts. Kakad and Mizenko will explore the causes of several common failures, and discuss recent design improvements for multilayer tubing used, for example, with infusion systems. The duo will provide real-world examples of problem solving across several tubing scenarios, and also cover validation techniques to best ensure consistent dimensional and peel strength tolerancing for fluid management solutions.

TekniPlex Healthcare is a longstanding leader in medical tubing applications, including paratubing solutions produced in up to eight custom-colored, textured or striped tube formations to distinguish between flow paths. The company’s validated manufacturing processes yield paratubes with uniform, repeatable and consistent bonding strength between 0.22 and 1.5 pounds, protecting dimensional stability and ensuring each individual tubing line’s integrity. Maintaining consistent bonding strength prevents individual tubes from separating prematurely and being rejected by healthcare providers, and also eliminates the need for excessive force to peel the tubes apart, which can damage or distort them to the detriment of patients.

TekniPlex Healthcare is also dedicated to developing custom solutions to unique problems in the medical and bioprocess fields. Recent examples include patented multilayer tubing configurations that offer extremely low absorption properties to help extend the usable life of insulin and other unstable drug products, such as chemotherapy drugs. Another patented configuration, designed for fluid transfer of DMSO and other solvent suspensions, allows for safe product delivery in dual hormone delivery systems and advanced cell & gene therapy processes.

About TekniPlex Healthcare

TekniPlex Healthcare utilizes advanced materials science expertise and technologies to develop and deliver critical solutions for medical and diagnostic devices, drug delivery systems and healthcare packaging applications. With a global reach, the division’s deep understanding of the greater pharmaceuticals and medical landscape helps it produce exemplary barrier properties for drugs and precision medical devices for interventional and therapeutic procedures. TekniPlex Healthcare’s ever-evolving portfolio helps meet demands for high-leverage medicines and mission-critical healthcare products that benefit care providers and patients. For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com/healthcare.

Im laufenden Gesetzgebungsverfahren zu Kritischen Rohstoffen (Critical Raw Materials Act) hat das Europäische Parlament am 14. September beschlossen, Aluminium auf die Liste der Strategischen Rohstoffe zu setzen. Zuvor hatte der Europäische Rat in seiner Position Aluminium ebenfalls einbezogen. Rob van Gils, Präsident von Aluminium Deutschland, betonte: „Es ist richtig und wichtig, dass auch das Parlament den Stellenwert würdigt, den Aluminium für den Green Deal hat. In vielen Technologien und Gütern, die für die Transformation unverzichtbar sind, stecken große Mengen Aluminium. In den nun folgenden Trilogverhandlungen und dem fertigen Gesetz müssen die Entscheidungsträgerinnen und Entscheidungsträger diese zentrale Rolle unseres Werkstoffs unbedingt weiterhin anerkennen.“

AD-Verbandsumfrage zeigt: Deutsche Aluminiumindustrie weiter im Krisenmodus

Aus einer von Aluminium Deutschland durchgeführten Mitgliederbefragung geht hervor, dass die Versorgungs- und Preissituation auf den Energiemärkten für rund die Hälfte der Unternehmen unverändert schlecht ist. Jedes siebte Unternehmen gab an, dass sich die Situation sogar verschlechtert hat. Für die kommenden Monate erwarten 40 Prozent eine teils deutliche Anspannung der Lage. Darüber hinaus schätzen drei Viertel der Befragten die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Industriestandorts Deutschland als gering oder sehr gering ein. Kein Unternehmen beurteilt sie als hoch oder sehr hoch. Neben Kapazitätskürzungen (37 Prozent) sind 31 Prozent der Unternehmen dazu gezwungen, Kurzarbeit einzuführen. Weitere 18 Prozent bauen Stellen ab und 8 Prozent verlagern Teile ihrer Produktion ins Ausland.

Aus einer von Aluminium Deutschland durchgeführten Mitgliederbefragung geht hervor, dass die Versorgungs- und Preissituation auf den Energiemärkten für rund die Hälfte der Unternehmen unverändert schlecht ist. Jedes siebte Unternehmen gab an, dass sich die Situation sogar verschlechtert hat. Für die kommenden Monate erwarten 40 Prozent eine teils deutliche Anspannung der Lage. Darüber hinaus schätzen drei Viertel der Befragten die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Industriestandorts Deutschland als gering oder sehr gering ein. Kein Unternehmen beurteilt sie als hoch oder sehr hoch. Neben Kapazitätskürzungen (37 Prozent) sind 31 Prozent der Unternehmen dazu gezwungen, Kurzarbeit einzuführen. Weitere 18 Prozent bauen Stellen ab und 8 Prozent verlagern Teile ihrer Produktion ins Ausland.

Additional space required to accommodate increased customer demand 
for syringe filling and capping machinery solutions.

Mount Vernon, NY – TurboFil Packaging Machines LLC, an equipment specialist dedicated solely to the design and development of liquid filling and assembly machines, has substantially expanded the product development and demonstration space at its Mount Vernon, NY headquarters. The additional elbow room was necessary to accommodate double-digit year-over-year business growth, driven primarily by heightened demand for the company’s pharma syringe filling and capping solutions. 

For TurboFil, the expansion provides the company with approximately 50% more square footage – valuable real estate for designing the type of complex, often customized solutions it provides pharma customers in the U.S. and beyond. 

“The previous few years have seen the sort of consistent growth that requires an expanded physical footprint, particularly for the design, development, validation and demonstration teams,” said Deborah Smook, VP of Marketing & Business Development for TurboFil Packaging Machines LLC. “Needing more room to address rapid growth is perhaps the best ‘problem’ to have, and we’re excited for the expansion and the additional opportunities it will help accommodate.”

Among other TurboFil specialties, the company’s syringe filling and capping machinery have fueled the sales surge. Recent TurboFil solutions in these niches include: 

•    TurboFil’s Acrobat Chuck Capper is a servo-driven unit offering precision torque and gentle handling without costly bottle change parts. Ideal for manufacturers producing multiple SKUs, the machine is available in single and dual-head formats capable of processing up to 90 units per minute. Its proprietary technology and parallel belts eliminate the expense of making and storing change parts for most bottles; for the smallest bottles, only minor, inexpensive parts are needed for fast, easy changeover. The module’s two-chuck system features a novel “chasing chuck” that automatically locates the next bottle along the belt. This mobile, adjustable chasing chuck allows the belt itself to serve as a spacing tool, eliminating the need for costly, time-consuming change parts. 

•    Suitable for small to medium batches, TurboFil’s SimpliFil Syringe Filling & Assembly System employs a versatile yet precise setup that accurately fills syringes via ceramic piston, peristaltic pump or direct draw from a reservoir bag. Designed for ease of use, its signature highlight is a walking beam indexing configuration for intuitive operation and simplified, recipe-based changeover. For heightened precision, TurboFil's unique TipFil™ technology allows syringes to be filled through the tip – a step-saving innovation eliminating the need to insert plungers post-filling. Filling up to 20 syringes per minute, the SimpliFil system smoothly handles syringes with tips outfitted for press-on caps and luer caps, as well as various safety caps recently incorporated for oral syringes.

•    TurboFil’s benchtop TipFil™ Syringe Draw Filler offers full control of filling parameters in single or dual operation, providing accurate, consistent fills at up to 12 pieces per minute. The unit utilizes a piston mechanism that draws  back the plunger, with the distance the plunger is pulled back dictating the amount of drug filled. Among other benefits, this eliminates the need to clean a metering device. For premium accuracy, the plunger motion is driven by a servo motor for precise, repeatable product filling.
 

About TurboFil Packaging Machines LLC

TurboFil is an equipment specialist dedicated solely to the design and development of liquid filling and assembly machines for the pharmaceutical, medical device, health & beauty and chemical industries. Since its inception in 1999, the company has created novel, durable production solutions for some of the industry's most challenging applications, consistently setting new benchmarks for filling precision and operational simplicity.

TurboFil's equipment portfolio features a broad range of standardized equipment, and the company also frequently collaborates with customers to develop, design and construct customized, built-to-spec machines. This versatility has made TurboFil a leader in supplying reliable, efficient and cost-effective filling and assembly systems that fit seamlessly into existing operations. For more information, visit www.TurboFil.com
 

George Kovoor, Senior Vice President, Beverages and Sustainability, PepsiCo India said, “We are encouraged by the mea

Sidel has been appointed to install a highly flexible end-of-line turnkey solution for British Sugar, the leading producer of sugar for the British and Irish food and beverage markets. The holistic and tailor-made solution will support the British company, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc that works with 2,300 growers, to meet market requirements as well as retailer expectations.

With increasing consumer demands and escalating sugar sales, British Sugar processes around 8 million tonnes of sugar beet to produce up to 1.2 million tonnes of sugar annually. The company required a large-scale operations replacement for its end-of-line system that was over 38 years old, including a brand-new solution with a high level of multiple SKU complexity management and automation. 

To deliver a world-class product that is made to the highest standards, the company needed an extremely compact and flexible case packing and palletising solution to be implemented within a tight plant area that would be capable of handling multiple pallet and format types to accommodate single sugar bags to new shelf-ready secondary packaging.

This strategic project represented a real technical challenge for British Sugar which needed a reliable partner with the best technology. Following an extensive period of collaboration through discussion and design, British Sugar and Sidel shared a singular vision for the future end-of-line solution, with installation work commencing on what is the first partnership between both companies.

Case packer and palletiser flexibility, reliability and output speed were central to the desired end-of-line solution for British Sugar, with Sidel’s design and equipment focusing on achieving flexibility at a high-speed using advanced robotics. Sidel will deliver a full turnkey solution from sugar bagging outlet through to delivery at warehousing. 

James Warby, Project Integration Manager at British Sugar, explains: “We needed a partner with strong engineering and design expertise as the challenge was more complex due to the building constraints combined with our high level of technical specifications," He continues: “Sidel’s collaborative approach from the beginning was excellent, they have been agile and transparent where we have had to work together to find solutions, their shared vision of a packaging line with our engineering team, strengthened the trust we had in their capacity for delivering a turnkey solution and led us to decide to partner with them for this project.”

Bastien Carcenac, Account Manager at Sidel, explains: “To define the right project scope of supply, the British Sugar extended pluridisciplinary team involved in the project always pushed and supported the Sidel team to find the most compact, flexible and efficient solution while ensuring very high standards on all the value chain. We are very proud of partnering with a leading manufacturer made by amazing people such as British Sugar but also of the expert work done by the Sidel team.”

The breakthrough end-of-line solution will offer a highly efficient answer for future production management. Two further phases of installation will be completed at the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024.

“By listening carefully to British Sugar’s needs, we wanted to prove our understanding of their challenges and to demonstrate our expertise in end-of-line solutions that could match their specific expectations,” said Thierry Grassart, Sales Director FHPC Northern & Southern Europe at Sidel. “We collaborated to build a strong team and push forward with the project and, as a result of Sidel’s capacity for high technological innovation, we delivered a best-in-class turnkey solution.”

Find out more about Sidel End of Line Solutions and how you can access this kind of support for your business on the Sidel website.  

AIPIA, the Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association and WPO, the World Packaging Organisation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further their collaboration in sharing ideas on Smart Packaging and the science that underpins it. This will include WPO supporting AIPIA on the technology of material science, which is particularly important in active packaging. In turn AIPIA will support WPO’s agenda of encouraging sustainable and appropriate packaging innovation.

The two organisations have already been cooperating at various events, including  ProPak and CPHi exhibitions in Asia, MENA and South Asia. They will endeavour to develop joint agendas wherever possible to further the creation of smart packaging solutions which meet the goals of the global industry and particular market needs. WPO President Pierre Pienaar welcomed the agreement and signing of the MoU, “Both organisations have been aware for some time that we share common goals and objectives and it is a logical next step to formalise these in a constructive and practical way. The two of us have a clear focus on our responsibility to the sector and the way packaging can be a solution, not a problem – as it is so often characterised today. Packaging for good is high on our agendas and we see this collaboration as a way to demonstrate these benefits in a very impactful way.”

Andrew Manly, communications director at AIPIA added, “WPO is the major global packaging organisation and has a strong profile in both the developed and developing world. It is a tremendous boost to the smart packaging sector to be able to join with WPO in promoting these technologies and helping to reinforce the Organisation’s agenda on sustainability, innovation and supply chain efficiency. We are particularly delighted to be able to tap into so many talented people, in particular Pierre’s tremendous knowledge of materials science.”

One outcome of the MoU could be the development of a defined WorldStar Award that involves Smart Packaging. “These Awards are the benchmark for global packaging innovation and are recognised as the Oscars of packaging. While some elements of smart packaging are included already in the various categories, we now see innovations appearing everywhere, APAC, MENA, China, South America as well as the more traditional markets of the Americas, Japan and Europe. So the time is right for a more formalised WorldStar Award, we believe,” continued Manly.
“This agreement adds strength and knowledge to both organisations, we look forward to working with AIPIA and ‘spreading the good word’ about packaging and its benefits across the globe,” concluded Pienaar.
 

Many companies in our industry use hydrocarbon-based washout solvents

The choice of ink and printing method plays a pivotal role in determining the quality, cost-effectiveness, and suitability of a print job. Three prominent methods that stand out are sheetfed printing, heatset printing, and coldset printing. Each method has its unique characteristics and applications, and the type of ink used further influences the final output. Let's take a closer look at these printing methods and the inks that drive them.

Sheetfed Printing: A Versatile Approach

Sheetfed printing is a widely used method for various printing applications, especially those with shorter print runs. In this process, individual sheets of paper are fed into the printing press one at a time. Sheetfed printing offers exceptional versatility, as it can handle a diverse range of paper stocks and sizes. It's the go-to choice for producing items like brochures, flyers, posters, and business cards.

Inks for Sheetfed Printing: Sheetfed presses can use two primary types of inks - conventional and UV inks. Conventional inks are oil-based and require drying time, while UV inks cure instantly when exposed to ultraviolet light. This curing process allows for faster production and is ideal for printing on non-absorbent materials like plastic or metal.

Heatset Printing: Glossy Magazines and Catalogs

Heatset printing is the preferred method for producing glossy magazines, catalogs, and high-volume publications. The defining feature of heatset printing is the use of heat to dry the ink rapidly. Large drying ovens are employed to achieve this, enabling high-speed production. The heatset process excels at producing sharp, vibrant images with a glossy finish.

Inks for Heatset Printing: Heatset inks are specially formulated to dry quickly with the application of heat. These inks often contain volatile solvents that evaporate during drying, leaving behind a crisp, glossy print. The result is stunning, high-quality publications that demand attention.

Coldset Printing: Newspapers and Beyond

Coldset printing is synonymous with newspapers and similar publications. Unlike sheetfed and heatset printing, coldset printing doesn't use heat to dry the ink. Instead, the ink dries naturally through absorption into the porous newsprint paper. This process is cost-effective and well-suited for high-volume printing.

Inks for Coldset Printing: Coldset inks are designed to dry slowly, allowing for absorption into the paper fibers. These inks contain oils that penetrate the paper, creating a more subdued finish compared to heatset or sheetfed printing. While the result may lack the glossy allure of other methods, it's perfectly suited for the newsprint medium and its intended audience.

Choosing the Right Method and Ink for Your Needs

When it comes to selecting the ideal printing method and ink for your project, several factors come into play. Consider the volume of your print job, the type of paper or substrate you plan to use, and the desired finish and quality. Each method and ink has its own strengths and limitations.

Moreover, the printing industry is continually evolving, with advancements such as eco-friendly inks and digital printing methods reshaping the landscape. Staying informed about the latest developments can help you make informed choices that align with your project goals.

Guala Closures S.p.A. (“Guala Closures” or the “Group”), a global leading producer of closures for spirits, wines, water and beverages, today announces that Gabriele Del Torchio, currently Chairman and CEO, will remain as Chairman with effect in September 2023 and Mauro Caneschi will join as Chief Executive Officer.

Gabriele Del Torchio was appointed Chairman and CEO of Guala Closures in April 2021 when the Group was acquired by an investment company of Investindustrial VII L.P., a leading independent European investment group. During this period, he has led the Group’s successful growth and strong business performance. This includes:

- Improved operational efficiencies and expansion of its international manufacturing facilities;

- A strong focus on R&D differentiating its products, and product expansion focusing on the “premiumisation” trend;

- Strengthening its presence in the luxury segment with the establishment of a division dedicated to luxury closures, consolidating the successful acquisition of Labrenta in July 2022, and securing the Group’s position as one of the leading operators in this segment; and

- Significant sales and EBITDA growth: at the appointment of Gabriele Del Torchio, LTM sales and EBITDA were, respectively, €565 million and €98 million; compared to June 2023, when Guala Closures achieved €920 million of LTM revenues and €181 million of LTM EBITDA.

These changes were agreed at the outset of Gabriele Del Torchio’s appointment.

Mauro Caneschi joins from Campari Group where he first led the Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa Business Unit (including Global Travel Retail) before creating and managing the Americas operation, Campari Group’s largest division. He had previously held senior international positions at Heineken, Scottish & Newcastle and Danone Group. He has an excellent track record in developing people, building brands and growing international businesses, as well as having responsibility for strategic acquisitions and integration. In particular, he has significant expertise in Guala Closure’s end-markets and an ability to integrate and accelerate complex and international businesses. 

Commenting on the Chairman and CEO appointments, Andrea C. Bonomi, Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board at Investindustrial, said: “Investindustrial has had the privilege of working with Gabriele as Chairman and CEO over many years in a number of the firm’s portfolio companies including Ducati, Snai, Design Holding and Guala Closures. We can fully attest to his significant contribution to the success, strategic direction and growth of these businesses. He is a first-class leader, and we are delighted that Guala Closures will continue to benefit from his significant experience and counsel as Chairman.” 

“We would also like to welcome Mauro Caneschi as CEO who has an impressive track record of growing international businesses and a keen vision and ambition. We look forward to working with him over the coming years.”

Gabriele Del Torchio, Chairman of Guala Closures, added:

“Mauro Caneschi is a highly talented individual, and I am very pleased he is joining Guala Closures as CEO to lead the Group in its next phase of growth.  He has a significant understanding of Guala Closures’ end-markets thereby enabling the Group to continually improve its client-led focus. He also has a demonstrable ability to substantially enhance operational efficiencies across complex business structures and drive performance. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome him to the Board.”

Mauro Caneschi, CEO of Guala Closures, commented:

“It is a real privilege to be leading Guala Closures, a highly performing organisation across several international markets with a strong leadership position. I am greatly looking forward to further internationalising the business through both organic and potential M&A growth.
In addition, maintaining a strong client and R&D focus will be critical as we seek to continually innovate and position ourselves as the leading producer of speciality closures for spirits, wine, water and other beverages. I am excited about this opportunity and very keen to be working alongside Gabriele Del Torchio and Investindustrial to deliver substantial value growth in the coming years.”

The changes in the offices of the Chairman and CEO follow other senior management appointments - including a new CFO, the managing director of Labrenta and the business development manager spirits - announced in July 2023.

Information on:

Guala Closures Group

Guala Closures Group offers premium and innovative closure solutions that provide protection and convenience to consumers while enhancing customers' brands. With more than 30 production plants worldwide, Guala Closures Group is a world leader in the production of closures for spirits, wines, beverages, oil and condiments, that guarantees proximity to its customers, with a localised and customised offer of services and solutions. Guala Closures Group today employs over 5.000 people and produces around 18 billion closures a year globally.

High-purity food-contact grade polymer in line with international safety standards for child care products, based on certified circular feedstock

Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty materials, has entered into a strategic partnership with Hegen Pte Ltd for the use of sustainable Duradex™ polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU) mass balance attributed in Hegen’s premium line of Press-to-Close, Twist-to-Open™ (PCTO™ ) baby feeding bottles. The circular, non-fossil feedstock content of the PPSU grade is third-party mass balance certified, meeting the end customers' expectations for more sustainable products. Duradex™ PPSU is an amorphous, naturally amber-transparent polymer, free of artificial pigments, phthalates and bisphenols, such as BPA.

“Brand owners and manufacturers in the child care market are increasingly seeking to improve the sustainability of their products without compromising safety, efficiency or convenience,” says Guillaume Meunier, Head of Marketing, Life Solutions at Solvay Materials. “Hegen’s baby feeding and drinking bottles are widely acknowledged for their high quality and use the highest-purity materials to ensure a healthy and comfortable feeding experience for both mother and child. We are very pleased to announce that the company has decided to adopt our mass-balance certified PPSU for molding their iconic bottles.”

“We are excited about this strategic material partnership with Solvay, which will help us further reduce the environmental impact of our baby feeding bottles in line with our ambitious sustainability roadmap,” adds Yvon Bock, founder and CEO of Hegen. “The circular Duradex™ polymer exhibits the same high-performance properties as the previous material used in molding our premium Hegen PCTO™ bottles, including excellent processability and uncompromising durability, which makes it a very efficient drop-in alternative to all-fossil PPSU solutions.”

Duradex™ PPSU MB is linked to 54% allocated circular, non-fossil feedstock, which is third-party mass-balance (MB) verified under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS) mass balance accounting regime. The MB accounting approach provides a reliable method of tracing the feedstock content from the material production to the final application.

In addition, Solvay’s Duradex™ PPSU MB polymer is high scratch resistant and stain resistant, does not absorb odors and delivers an inherently non-stick surface. It combines exceptional hydrolytic stability and shatterproof toughness with high heat resistance. These properties also qualify the lightweight, ergonomically shaped and wide-opening bottles for more than 1,000 steam or hot water sterilization as well as dishwasher cycles without the risk of any damage.

• Future-proof technology for the application of standardized digital product passports

• Turnkey Software-as-a-Service solution according to new GS1 Germany Guideline

• Enormous potential for data management in the manufacturing process and recycling

The Reifenhäuser Group - leading manufacturer of extrusion machinery and components - relies on R-Cycle, the digital product passport (DPP) for plastics based on GS1 standards. With R Cycle DPPs, Reifenhäuser enables its customers to make their products traceable. All relevant information on the material and processing is stored in the DPP and made available along
the entire product life cycle, offering enormous potential for data management in the manufacturing process and recycling of plastic - especially in the packaging industry.

R-Cycle was founded as an initiative by leading companies and organizations along the plastics value chain (including Reifenhäuser) and today offers - as a solution provider - a turnkey software-as-a-service solution for the application of digital product passports.

GS1 Germany, known for standards and solutions around barcodes, has now published a new guideline "Circular Plastics Traceability", which offers all stakeholders in the plastics value chain a uniform framework to model cross-company processes and exchange data.

R-Cycle was involved in the development of "Circular Plastics Traceability" and follows the new GS1 Germany Guideline with its solution. The underlying technology is the cross-industry and internationally established GS1 EPCIS interface (Electronic Product Code Information Services). EPCIS is GS1's core standard for improving transparency in companies or value networks.

Bernd Reifenhäuser, CEO of the Reifenhäuser Group, explains, "The publication of the 'Circular Plastics Traceability' Guideline is a decisive milestone for the establishment of R-Cycle. It gives us, as a machine manufacturer, the certainty of investing in a future-proof technology that enables our customers to use standardized digital product passports."

The plastics industry - particularly in the packaging sector - faces ever- increasing industrial and regulatory information and reporting requirements. Recyclability assessments, EPR schemes or plastic tax calculations are just a few examples. The otherwise time-consuming and costly generation of the relevant data is now possible with R-Cycle at the push of a button. Currently, more than 45 leading industrial companies and organizations rely on R- Cycle as the solution for the digital product passport.

In addition to providing efficient information in the manufacturing process, digital product passports also enable better recycling to recover high-quality recyclates. Using the information stored in the DPP, waste sorting facilities can precisely categorize recyclable packaging and form recycling-friendly, single-sort fractions. The DPPs can be accessed via suitable marking (e.g. digital watermarks or QR codes) on the packaging.

About the Reifenhäuser Group
The Reifenhäuser Group together with its highly specialized business units is the leading provider of innovative technologies and components for plastics extrusion. Founded in 1911, the company is a global supplier of high-tech solutions. With its technologies and the know-how of its 1,750 employees, Reifenhäuser has the world's largest network of expertise in plastics extrusion technologies. The CEO of the Group is Bernd Reifenhäuser.