The Wittmann Group will present an integrated production cell built around an EcoPrimus injection molding machine at Elmia Polymer 2026 in Jönköping. The demonstration will focus on overall process efficiency, understood as a combination of high material efficiency, low energy consumption and reduced manufacturing costs. High-quality polypropylene plant pots will be produced at the booth, and the entire setup, from material preparation and feeding, through automation, to in-line recycling, has been configured as a coherent process solution. The company emphasizes that this approach is intended to support processors' competitiveness by integrating all key elements of the injection molding process within a single work cell.
At Scandinavia's most important plastics trade fair, the company will showcase the new all-electric EcoPrimus injection molding machine, which according to the manufacturer was developed specifically for single-component compact injection molding in large volumes. The exhibited machine with a clamping force of 1000 kN is intended to combine high precision with efficiency and cost-effectiveness in standard applications requiring a limited range of options. It features a compact, robust design and the latest Unilog B8X machine control system. Throughout the trade fair, polypropylene will be processed on an EcoPrimus 100/525 B8X, both virgin material and recyclate. The presentation is intended to illustrate how, using machine technology compliant with European standards and Wittmann's expertise in plasticizing, an injection molding solution can be developed for a wide range of materials.
To maintain high part quality even with fluctuating raw material properties, especially typical of recycled materials, the machine exhibited at the trade fair will be equipped with intelligent assistance systems from the HiQ product range. This software automatically analyzes the current process and enables precise correction of parameters before scrap is produced, inline and, in some cases, even within the same cycle. In addition, the HiQ systems are intended to simplify operation of the injection molding machine, which is expected to support process stability even when qualified personnel is not available on every shift.
Shorter cycle time with an integrated cell
Other integral elements of the production cell on display are a Primus 116 linear robot, a Drymax primus dry air dryer, a Gravimax primus gravimetric blender, a Tempro primus temperature controller and an S-Max primus screenless granulator. In this way, the concept of limiting equipment to essential components applies not only to the injection molding machine itself, but also to automation and auxiliary equipment.
The Primus 116 linear robot will remove the plant pots from the mold and place them on a conveyor belt. According to the manufacturer, robots from the Primus series provide a reliable and at the same time cost-efficient solution for all pick-and-place applications and for operation in simple automation cells. These robots come with the SmartRemoval function as standard, designed to shorten part removal time and thus the total cycle time.
Wittmann's Primus robots come with the SmartRemoval function as standard, which shortens part removal time and consequently the total cycle time.
Tempro primus temperature controllers are intended for applications requiring precise temperature control based on a PT1000 sensor and a high level of user-friendliness, without the need for additional features. These units are designed to enable quick start-up and intuitive menu navigation via a 3.5-inch TFT LCD color display. The large diameter of the cooling coils increases cooling capacity. Standard equipment also includes automatic filling and venting of the mold circuit, as well as automatic leakage and level monitoring of the medium.
Saving energy and material
Drymax Primus and Gravimax Primus work together to ensure loss-free granulate feeding and make a significant contribution to the high overall efficiency of plant pot production. To ensure process continuity, dry air dryers from the Drymax series are equipped with two desiccant cartridges. While one cartridge supplies process air, the other is regenerated. During injection molding machine downtime, the drying temperature is automatically lowered to minimize the risk of thermal damage to the plastic granulate.
To ensure high process safety, Wittmann Drymax dryers are equipped with fine return-air filters. The separation efficiency is close to 99.9%. Depending on the dryer model, a dew point of down to minus 60 degrees C can be achieved.
Blenders from the Gravimax series are said to stand out for their high precision. Thanks to RTLS, Real Time Live Scale technology, the exact target weight is reached reliably in every dosing cycle. This allows the operator to set the target value at a minimum level. As a result, overdosing and excessive material consumption can be avoided, thereby reducing costs. The system automatically adapts to changing material properties, using only one precision valve for virgin material, regrind and additives.
At the Wittmann booth during Elmia Polymer 2026, high-quality plant pots will be produced on an all-electric EcoPrimus injection molding machine.
Prepared for the circular economy
The manufacturer indicates that efficiency-optimized interaction of all components in the work cell ensures high quality consistency and minimizes reject levels. If production scrap does occur, it can be processed directly next to the injection molding machine together with the sprue into single-variety granulate. In many applications, such granulate can be returned to the process as raw material.
This stage is handled by the S-Max primus screenless granulator, which will be presented at the trade fair in a version for throughputs of up to 8 kg/h. The low rotational speed of 27 rpm at 50 Hz is intended to reduce noise emissions, energy consumption and dust generation. Combined with the very homogeneous regrind fraction obtained in this way, this results in granulate of consistently high quality, which supports a high share of defect-free molded parts when processing recyclate by injection molding.
According to the company, one of the main design objectives for the S-Max primus was also a long service life of the cutting tools. As a result, the granulator is intended to stand out for low maintenance requirements. The grinding chamber can be fully opened in just a few steps, which facilitates cleaning. This is intended to speed up and simplify material changes.
A complete solution from a single supplier
The presentation at Elmia Polymer 2026 is intended to show the potential for efficiency and quality that can be achieved with integrated solutions from a single supplier. From material preparation and conveying, through injection molding, temperature control and automation, to in-line recycling and integration of digital solutions, the Wittmann Group supplies all components of the injection molding process, all designed and manufactured in-house. The company emphasizes that this level of vertical integration is a distinguishing feature.
Wittmann at Elmia Polymer 2026, hall C, booth 02:08.
Everything from a single source, optimal use of efficiency and quality potential can be achieved thanks to the perfect matching of all work cell components.
