Christopher Vitz, Regional President Europe Central at Engel, comments on the role of the Fakuma trade fair as a European platform for plastics processing, summarising four decades of technological change and the current challenges facing the industry.
The “Pleiades” university competition – Plastic European Innovation Award for Design and Sustainability – in Italy links the plastics industry with IUAV University, promoting durable plastic products, design and injection moulding as part of the circular economy.
SüdpacK Medica will present at Pharmapack 2026 in Paris the recyclable blister concept Pharmaguard, the low-particle Medguard packaging portfolio, and the new Medhub service for ordering pre-made medical pouches.
Siemens Nanjing plant has been included in the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network as a benchmark factory in the productivity category, recognized for its use of digital twins and AI applications.
Kistler has introduced the maXYmos Analyzer software, which enables fast analysis of measurement curves from joining and assembly processes, supporting production optimization and scrap reduction.
Dhunseri Poly Films has ordered from Brückner Maschinenbau a BOPET film production line with a designed speed of 700 m/min for its plant in Panagarh, West Bengal, India.
Universal Robots sums up 2025 in Poland, highlighting stable demand for cobots in industry, the growing role of the plastics sector and companies’ pragmatic approach to the use of artificial intelligence.
Alpla closed the 2025 financial year with sales of EUR 5.2 billion, increasing its workforce to around 25,500 employees and the number of plants to 206, while setting ambitious recycling targets for 2030.
Novoplast Schlauchtechnik, a company of the Masterflex Group, is introducing a free hose sample take-back service in Germany as part of its transition towards a circular economy.
Omya Performance Polymer Distribution has appointed Sara Ghione as president for rubber polymers and additives, responsible for global distribution development in this segment.
Grupa Azoty and Grupa Azoty Police have established significant impairment write-downs mainly related to loans granted to Grupa Azoty Polyolefins, in connection with the planned divestment of the Polimery Police project and ongoing restructuring proceedings.
In the first week of January 2026, market participants gradually returned to activity after the long Christmas and New Year break. The period was marked by waiting for the first price offers and by analysis of the current market situation.
