How does plastic packaging become a high-quality secondary raw material? A key prerequisite for this is reliable information about material composition, additives, and processing steps. The digital product passport is therefore considered a key technology for the circular economy.

At Fakuma 2026, the Fraunhofer spin-off Nexofoam will showcase a fully bio-based particle foam that can be processed on existing EPS lines without any machine modifications. Compared to EPS, the foam reduces the CO2 footprint by up to 80 percent and opens up new avenues for decarbonization for processors.

Covestro is undergoing fundamental changes under new ownership. What the acquisition by ADNOC means, what role the circular economy and recycling play, and where the company is headed—an overview. 

The economic situation in the European plastics and plastics recycling industry remains tense. As a result, 28 organizations representing the entire value chain are calling on the European Union to implement an emergency program to strengthen domestic production and recycling.

At Fakuma 2026, Engel will demonstrate how standard components, such as automotive connectors, can be manufactured in series production in a cost-effective and reliable manner. The focus will be on a complete, integrated production cell—from injection molding to automation. 

To mark the 30th anniversary of Fakuma, the trade show organizer Schall is establishing the Paul-Eberhard-Schall Medal. The first award goes to Arburg. With this honor, the company recognizes the injection molding machine manufacturer’s connection to the trade show and to the plastics processing industry, as well as the collaboration between the two entrepreneurs, Paul Eberhard Schall and Eugen Hehl, who laid the foundation for Fakuma.

At Fakuma 2026, Techno-Compound will showcase new thermoplastic compounds with a high recycled content for automotive and E&E applications. The materials offer EMC shielding, creep current resistance, and halogen-free flame retardancy.

At Fakuma, Leistritz will demonstrate how a new feed aid on a twin-screw extruder can increase throughput sixfold—from 40 to 240 kg/h—when processing polyolefin fluff with low bulk density.

The plastics industry is facing significant pressure in terms of costs, investment, and change. Bettina Schall, Managing Director of P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG, discusses the role of Fakuma, digitalization and automation, the circular economy, and how the industry can maintain its competitiveness.

At Fakuma 2026, Milacron will unveil the third generation of its all-electric E-Series in Europe for the first time. During the trade show, two machines will demonstrate how the manufacturer addresses energy efficiency, process stability, and productivity in injection molding: The E180 produces a polypropylene container, while the E110 manufactures 200-μl pipette tips for medical applications.

Borouge is making recycling a strategic component of its European polyolefin business. In doing so, the company is responding to the PPWR, rising demand for recycled materials, and the need for European sources of raw materials.

At Fakuma 2026, Hellweg aims to demonstrate how granulators process challenging plastics using shear cutting—cleanly and without thermal pre-cooling. Visitors are invited to bring their own materials.

Do injection molding tools have to be made of steel? Additively manufactured resin inserts enable near-production prototypes and small-batch runs made of plastics such as PP or PA6 in just a few days.

Weiss Kunststoffverarbeitung continues to drive automation forward: This year, the focus is on post-injection molding processes. Solutions developed in-house now handle 100% inspection of even the smallest parts and the packaging of finished components and modules.

Wago is transitioning the production of its electrical installation terminals from lateral direct injection molding to a sprue-free process. An Ewikon hot-runner system in a 48-cavity mold reduces cycle time by up to 40% and cuts CO2 emissions by 45%. This was made possible through close coordination between R&D, toolmaking, and production.

When finalizing complex molds, trimming remains essential. HPF chose a trimming press from the Chinese manufacturer SXKH, equipped with European control components. The advantage: European quality at a Chinese price.

The Stuttgart-based DeepTech startup Cyclize aims to make natural gas obsolete in the chemical industry. The key ingredients: plastic waste, CO₂—and a former Covestro executive. 

The economic situation in the European plastics and plastics recycling industry remains tense. As a result, 28 organizations representing the entire value chain are calling on the European Union to implement an emergency program to strengthen domestic production and recycling.

The recycling of engineering plastics requires sophisticated processes that go beyond mechanical recycling. In a scientific publication, BASF demonstrates how a combination of different processes can keep engineering plastics in the circular economy. This provides processors with recycled raw materials that meet virgin-grade quality standards.

What role does AI play in sorting technology today—and what are its limitations? Andreas Hanus, Head of AI Development at Sesotec, explains why powerful AI encompasses far more than just object recognition and what matters most in its practical application.

Of every ten medical products and devices used in hospitals, doctors’ offices, or daily nursing care, five to six are made of plastic. Syringes, cannulas, tubing, implants, or packaging—without this material, modern hygiene, innovation, and efficiency in medicine would hardly be possible.

Polyurethanes are found in many products, such as upholstered furniture, foam and insulation materials, flooring, paints, and even medical catheters. Toxic isocyanate is used in the production of these widely used plastics. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed an alternative production process using harmless dicarbamate.

Researchers at Christian-Albrechts University in Kiel have discovered a previously unknown effect in ultra-thin polymer coatings. This could make it possible to produce coatings without PFAS in the future. 

The PPWR aims to drastically reduce packaging waste and establish a functioning circular economy. André Koring of the VDMA does not believe it will be as easy as Brussels would like. The mechanical engineering sector, in particular, needs clear, reliable, and technology-neutral framework conditions.

Polystyrene is one of the most important plastics in the world, but has so far been considered unsustainable. A research team has now developed an alternative polystyrene that contains renewable raw materials, can be produced energy-efficiently, and is biodegradable. 

Airplanes and passenger trains must meet strict safety requirements. This calls for materials that are flame-retardant, lightweight, durable, and scalable. Researchers at Empa, in collaboration with their industry partner Elantas, have now succeeded for the first time in making such a composite material fully recyclable.

Covestro is undergoing fundamental changes under new ownership. What the acquisition by ADNOC means, what role the circular economy and recycling play, and where the company is headed—an overview. 

Biopolymers are increasingly making their way from research into industrial applications. Thanks to their diverse properties, they offer sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics and are already being used successfully in fields such as packaging, medicine, agriculture, and technology.