Brückner Group SE Names Finance Veteran Angela Strigl as CFO
Angela Strigl will take over as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Brückner Group SE in Siegsdorf on July 1, 2025. She has been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH for the last three and a half years, and she is moving within the group. Robin Schaede will take her place there.
Since January 2022, she has been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH, a prominent worldwide manufacturer of plastics processing machinery. She managed the financial affairs of PackSys Global AG, a globally operating packaging machine specialist, in Switzerland for about five years as CFO before this. Brückner Group SE is the parent company of both of these businesses. Angela Strigl started her career there as Head of Finance & Controlling and will now return as CFO.
ANGEL STRIGL, CFO at Brückner Group SE
“I’ve been a part of the Brückner Group for many years. I’m excited to be back at the management holding company and to oversee financial management of the group during a phase of important strategic decisions,” Strigl said. “My focus will be on streamlined processes, sound decisions, and a financial structure that will secure the group’s long- term growth.”-ANGELA STRIGL CFO at Brückner Group SE
Prior to joining the group, she gained extensive consulting experience at Deloitte & Touche as Director International Tax. In this role, she advised medium-sized companies on complex restructuring, optimization, and international tax issues.
With her broad expertise at the intersection of financial strategy, tax law, and international corporate management, Angela Strigl will bring new perspectives to drive the group’s future-focused growth in her new role. She is taking over the position from Maximilian Schneider, who is retiring after 25 years with the group.
Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH has appointed Robin Schaede, an internationally experienced and accomplished CFO, to fill Angela Strigl’s previous position. Robin Schaede possesses extensive experience in various functional areas within family businesses, private equity, and publicly traded companies. At these organizations, he successfully optimized corporate structures, relocated services, improved and digitalized financial processes, and executed M&A transactions. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the publicly traded engineering company Techno trans SE, where he helped guide the company through a strategic and structural reorganization and was responsible for establishing shared service centers.
“Angela Strigl is a renowned financial expert who is returning to Brückner Group SE with a deep understanding of our business and structures. Her career is a prime example of the career development opportunities we can offer outstanding and passionate employees within our group,” commented Dr. Axel von Wiedersperg, CEO of Brückner Group SE, proudly. “At the same time, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Maximilian Schneider for his many years of dedicated service and wish him all the best for his well-deserved retirement.”
K 2025 Spotlights Climate Solutions with Plastics Europe’s Flagship Program
At the official K Preview 2025, Plastics Europe presented an ambitious roadmap for its flagship special show, “Plastics Shape the Future,” which will once again be a major highlight at K 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, taking place from October 8 to 15, 2025, at Messe Düsseldorf.
Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director Plastics Europe Deutschland, photo credit: Messe Düsseldorf
Positioned at Hall 6, Stand C40, this interactive 600-square-meter pavilion will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and young talent to demonstrate how plastics can drive solutions for a smarter, greener, and more responsible future. This year’s expanded concept will tackle some of the industry’s most pressing challenges, from accelerating the circular economy to achieving climate neutrality and building the workforce of tomorrow.
“With ‘Plastics Shape the Future,’ we want to show the world what our industry is capable of,” said Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director at Plastics Europe Deutschland, during her remarks at the Preview event. “K 2025 will serve as a ‘World Expo for Plastics,’ providing a platform for honest dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and practical examples of how we can make plastics more sustainable and more innovative at the same time.”
A standout feature of Plastics Europe’s 2025 showcase will be its seven themed days, each dedicated to a key topic: “Kick-Off Wednesday” will focus on competitiveness and sustainability, followed by “Circular Thursday” exploring circular economy solutions across industries, “Climate Friday” addressing life cycle assessments and carbon impacts, “Smart Saturday” highlighting AI and digitalization for resource efficiency, “Career Sunday” dedicated to nurturing young talent and diversity, “Innovation Monday” featuring start-up pitches, and “Visionary Tuesday” with deep dives into future technologies and microplastics research.
Visitors can expect daily live talks on the Innovation Stage, expert panels with voices from the plastics value chain, and new exhibits demonstrating how circular design, advanced recycling, and material innovation are already helping to close loops. The “Plastics Shape the Future” area will also include networking spaces and hands-on educational stations to engage students and young professionals.
“Our industry is undergoing a massive transformation,” Dr. Bunte added. “We have to prove that we can deliver on climate goals, resource efficiency, and circularity — and that starts with transparency, collaboration, and real-world solutions. K 2025 is the perfect stage for this.”
The Preview underlined that K 2025 will attract thousands of decision-makers from around the globe, reaffirming its status as the leading marketplace for material innovations, smart processing technologies, and sustainable solutions that address the complex challenges facing the plastics and rubber sectors.
Plastics Europe will host a dedicated press conference at “Plastics Shape the Future” during K 2025, alongside daily themed activities that align with the event’s guiding motto: “The Power of Plastics: Green, Smart, Responsible.”
Martial Durou to Drive Gravure Progress in Southeast Asia as GRA’s New Regional Ambassador
With effect from July 2025, the Global Rotogravure Association (GRA) is pleased to name Martial Durou as its official Ambassador for Southeast Asia.
Martial, who is based in the Philippines, brings to his new position more than 25 years of experience in the package graphics sector. He has worked in France, Spain, the UK, and Malaysia in a variety of roles, ranging from Repro Operator to Process Optimisation Manager. He is currently working at WeDoRepro, a company that offers packaging-related graphic services and advice.
He started his career at Gravure d’Azur (Janoschka) in France in 1996. He then played a significant part with Asia Pacific Engravers in Malaysia. He oversaw the establishment of the engraving and studio divisions of Grabaciones Janoschka in Spain from 2000 to 2003. After that, he worked for Fuji-Seal Europe, where he oversaw the creation of graphics in France and the UK.
As a pioneer in the creation of Europe’s first roll-to-roll litho-printed shrink sleeve, Martial’s experience also encompasses consultancy and invention in dry offset litho and flexo printed packaging. He worked as a European Graphics Technologist at Rexam from 2008 to 2014, where he was responsible for process innovation and development across 23 manufacturing facilities in Europe and Asia.
Reflecting on his new role, Martial stated: “I have been in the packaging industry for almost 30 years, starting with rotogravure, moving onto other processes and other continents, to eventually come back to rotogravure. I have loved every step of it. GRA (ERA at the time) has always been present in my professional life through their articles and conferences, and I am now honoured to be GRA representative for the Southeast Asia region.”
In his capacity as GRA Ambassador, Martial will operate as a crucial link for Southeast Asia, encouraging communication, assisting with member involvement, and advancing GRA’s goals of sustainability, innovation, and global cooperation.
GRA expands its footprint in one of the most vibrant print and packaging regions globally with this appointment.
‘We Are K!’ Fuels Rubber Industry’s Complete Supply Chain Vision at K 2025
Boris Engelhardt, Managing Director of the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), Photo Credit: Messe Düsseldorf
Boris Engelhardt, Managing Director of the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), is confident about the upcoming K trade fair:
“For the rubber and elastomer industry, K 2025 is a special platform. Firms in our industry can gain information on the latest trends from their suppliers and, simultaneously, present their products to an international public. This scope is an ideal fit for us. Our network partners are represented here along the complete supply chain. They show innovative, top-quality rubber products that are decisive in order to build a sustainable and safe living environment. That is our aim, and the trade fair provides us with the ideal framework for this. We are pleased to be a significant part of K.”
Although rubber and elastomers are traditionally considered the “smaller K” within the wider trade fair, exhibitors with a significant share of elastomer products in their portfolios will be well represented throughout the entire exhibition grounds this year. The industry’s commitment to showcasing innovative solutions and building strong connections will be visible across multiple halls and dedicated highlights.
The first point of contact and orientation for anyone wishing to find out more about elastomers at K will once again be Rubber Street — which will debut as an official special show organized by Messe Düsseldorf in 2025. This dedicated elastomer hotspot is launching with record participation. With a total of 19 exhibitors, the 500-square-meter special area in Hall 6 is now fully booked. The exhibitors’ portfolios reflect the entire elastomer value chain in a highly focused format — bringing together raw material suppliers, compounders for rubber and TPE, processors, and the recycling sector under one roof.
The wdk (German Rubber and Plastics Industry) is traditionally the patron of this “showcase of the elastomer industry” and, in cooperation with the Allianz Zukunft Reifen (AZuR) network, will once again have its own booth (Booth C54-06) in 2025. As part of their program, AZuR will host a press conference on the topic of the circular economy at their booth on the second day of the trade fair, October 9, at 2:30 p.m. This underlines the industry’s dedication to sustainable practices and closed-loop solutions.
The wdk’s role at K extends even further. Together with the German Plastics Processing Industry Association (GDK), PlasticsEurope Germany, and the Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association of the VDMA (German Engineering Federation), the wdk serves as a non-profit sponsor of the K trade fair. As part of this, wdk Managing Director Boris Engelhardt represents the rubber industry on the K trade fair’s Exhibitor Advisory Board, ensuring that the sector’s interests are firmly anchored in the planning and development of the world’s leading plastics and rubber trade fair.
Empowering Youth for a Circular Future: GKV’s Role at K 2025
Dr. Oliver Möllenstädt, Managing Director of the German Plastics Processing Industry Association, Photo Credit: Messe Düsseldorf
The German Association of Plastics Converters (GKV) is set to play a key role at K 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, taking place from October 8 to 15, 2025, at Messe Düsseldorf. At the recent K 2025 Preview, which gathered industry leaders and media to share the themes and highlights of this year’s fair, Dr. Oliver Möllenstädt, Managing Director of the German Plastics Processing Industry Association, emphasizes:
“We want to show young people that plastics are innovative, sustainable and indispensable for numerous applications in everyday life, in technology and in environmental protection.”
One of GKV’s most important contributions to K 2025 will be the launch of the Young Talents Lounge, a dedicated special area in Hall 8A designed to inspire the next generation of plastics professionals. Developed by GKV in close collaboration with Messe Düsseldorf, this new initiative will provide students, apprentices, and early-career professionals with direct insights into modern plastics processing, sustainable production, and diverse career paths within the industry. The Young Talents Lounge reflects GKV’s firm commitment to attracting and retaining skilled workers at a time when many plastics converters face an acute shortage of qualified personnel. Through hands-on activities, career guidance, and interaction with industry mentors, the Lounge aims to bridge the gap between education and practice while positioning the plastics sector as a modern, innovative, and responsible industry.
The Young Talents Lounge fits perfectly with K 2025’s overarching theme, “The Power of Plastics: Green, Smart, Responsible,” which emphasizes the industry’s vital contribution to sustainable solutions, smart technologies, and the circular economy. GKV’s initiative complements the show’s major focus areas — sustainability, digital transformation, and skills development — by highlighting people as the driving force behind all innovation. Beyond the new talent hub, GKV will also be actively involved in panel discussions, expert dialogues, and networking opportunities that bring together key stakeholders from raw material suppliers, machine manufacturers, converters, and recyclers.
Photo Credit: Messe Düsseldorf
As a co-sponsor of K 2025, alongside PlasticsEurope Deutschland, the German Plastics Processing Industry Association (GKV) plays an integral role in shaping the trade fair’s program and ensuring that the voice of the converters is well represented on the international stage. Dr. Möllenstädt, who sits on K’s Exhibitor Advisory Board, continues to advocate for a future-focused plastics industry that embraces innovation while demonstrating real progress in circular economy strategies and responsible resource management.
With thousands of visitors expected from around the world, K 2025 promises to be an important catalyst for knowledge transfer, business partnerships, and forward-looking solutions that address both industry and societal needs. Through its active participation and the new Young Talents Lounge, GKV is sending a clear signal: securing a qualified and motivated workforce is as vital as technological breakthroughs in achieving a sustainable and competitive future for plastics converting.
The Arburg Hungária Kft, organized Juniális summer festival is an important component of the Hungarian plastics industry. This year’s tremendous response has once again shown how successful the idea of providing clients with on-site access to the newest injection molding technology and industry trends, along with knowledgeable information and a fantastic networking opportunity, is. Learn more in the conversation with Arburg Hungary’s managing director, Laszlo Csizmadi.
How satisfied were you with Juniális 2025?
The event was a complete success. We had a great turnout from both existing and new customers and partners. Our Open Day has been a tradition for decades now and is very popular with our customers. Juniális is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate our expertise and our strong commitment to the Hungarian plastics market.
Participants at Juniális 2025 were particularly positive about the talks and presentations that went beyond pure machine technology – for example on digital transformation.
Were you able to make new contacts?
With Juniális, we are of course first and foremost pursuing the goal of involving our existing customers. We also want to continue to develop year on year, also by attracting new interested parties and potential partners. We have succeeded in doing that once again this year, viewing it as very important for the long-term development of our company.
What were the main topics of the Juniális 2025?
When putting together the event concept, we take care to present our expertise as comprehensively and in as much detail as possible. Juniális 2025 focussed on answers to questions that are currently of great concern to our customers. These include increasing machine availability, automation of injection moldings production, industrial digitalisation, sustainability and after-sales and service. At Juniális, we demonstrated not only that Arburg is an outstanding machine manufacturer, but that it can also fully support its customers as a holistic service and solution provider. In addition, the company plays a pioneering role in the industry when it comes to digitalisation and resource-saving production, making active contributions towards a sustainable future.
Which machines and highlights did you showcase?
The focus was on two exciting injection moulding applications. Using a hybrid Allrounder 470 H with a clamping force of 1,000 kN, equipped with a Multilift Select 8 linear robotic system, we demonstrated the automated production of a toy car made of PC-MA – a material characterised by high impact and heat resistance as well as special scratch resistance.
Paper injection moulding is particularly innovative. A hydraulic Allrounder 420 C Golden Edition with a clamping force of 1,000 kN used this process to transform what are known as “paper pearls” into a 3D puzzle. The main component of the sustainable material comprises paper fibres. These are made injection mouldable using bio-based and biodegradable plastics, e.g. based on lignin, starch or corn.
Please tell us more about the Focus Points.
These Focus Points were a special feature of the event: At three stations, participants were able to experience the most important elements of the Arburg range interactively. The focus was on the operability of the Gestica control system, the details of the current services and Arburg’s digital products. Participants were able to ask our experts their questions directly.
One highlight was the presentation of the assistance and pilot functions of the Gestica control system. For example, great interest was shown in our “aXw Control FillAssist”. Using a practical example, we demonstrated how this filling simulation, integrated into the control system, can be used to reach good part status quickly, together with a stable production phase during start-up.
Successful Juniális 2025 at Arburg Hungary: The participants appreciated the combination of machine exhibits, interactive stations, technical presentations and exchange of experiences.
And classic specialist lectures rounded off the programme?
Indeed, they did. In line with the current challenges facing the industry, these specialist presentations focused on digitalisation, sustainability, automation and innovation. A particular high point was the “aXw Control RecyclatePilot” control function. This reliably compensates for fluctuating material qualities and enables stable part quality even when processing recyclates. After all, in the 21st century, global plastics consumption will continue to increase, in tandem with the importance of efficiency in recycling and a functioning circular economy.
In addition, the participants were given a comprehensive insight into the latest developments in our robot portfolio, learning how Arburg is positioning itself in the turnkey sector. With our holistic approach, we can offer our customers complete, customised automated manufacturing systems. In addition, external partners gave presentations on innovative materials, providing a practical insight into digital transformation and reporting on results from sustainability research.
What was the feedback from visitors?
Feedback showed clearly that the diversity of our programme is highly appreciated. The lectures and presentations that went beyond pure machine technology were particularly well received by the participants: For many, it was new to learn how comprehensively Arburg supports its customers with services such as training and service. The guest lectures, which gave participants an insight into injection moulding from the perspective of raw material manufacturers, for example, also generated great interest.
Which current developments are you observing in the Hungarian plastics market?
In Hungary, many companies are currently pursuing a more cautious strategy and the willingness to invest is subdued. At the same time, we have noticed that most customers are consciously prioritising: They are looking for solutions that will make their processes more efficient and sustainable in the long term. This is supported, for example, by preventive maintenance, specialised training, digital developments and automation.
Topics such as digitalisation, turnkey and automation as well as sustainability are of crucial importance for the future of Hungarian industry. With the help of turnkey systems, companies are able to react more rapidly to changing market conditions. Sustainability is increasingly becoming a basic requirement, meaning that these trends will continue to intensify in the coming years.
Why should Hungarian customers also visit K 2025 in Düsseldorf after Juniális in autumn?
K 2025 is the world’s most important trade fair for the plastics industry, where the latest technologies, developments and international trends are presented at first hand. For our Hungarian customers, it offers an excellent opportunity for professional orientation, establishing new contacts and gaining inspiration.
While Juniális is a national event with a personal atmosphere, the K trade fair showcases the future of the industry on a global level. Here, Arburg will be showcasing its entire portfolio at stand “13A13” and in the arburgGREENworld pavilion, as well as world premieres that are not to be missed. Both events are valuable but offer different experiences and complement one another perfectly.
Safer Polyolefin Manufacturing with Palsgaard’s New Anti-Fouling Launch
At K 2025 trade fair, Palsgaard, the global number one plant-based polymer additive business, will launch its novel innovation of sustainable processing aids—Einar 987, a renewable and safe anti-fouling additive that can be used in the polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) polymerization process. With the plastics business still under pressure to remove hazardous chemistries and move toward safer, greener materials, Einar 987 is a timely, science-based innovation that was created based on renewable vegetable oil-based chemistry.
Palsgaard introduces Einar 987 anti-fouling additive for the PE and PP polymerisation process as a safer alternative to ethoxylated amines.
Einar 987 is a non-toxic, food-grade additive that provides a straightforward substitute for traditional ethoxylated amine (EA) chemistries, which have faced increasing scrutiny in recent times because of their toxicity and regulatory concerns. The additive is derived from a polyglycerol ester (PGE) mixture of fatty acids and provides similar or better performance while filling the safety and sustainability needs of the traditional solutions. Provided in the form of a clean, syrupy liquid, Einar 987 can be easily incorporated into current polymerisation systems as a drop-in product without any major modifications to process equipment or catalyst formulations.
“We drew on our decades of experience in food-safe and anti-static chemistries to develop a next-generation additive that aligns with industry demands for safer and more sustainable alternatives,” said Laura Juhl, Application Manager for Palsgaard’s Bio-Speciality Additives. “Einar 987 not only eliminates the risks associated with traditional amine-based additives but also supports consistent process control and high-quality polymer output.”
One of the key advantages of Einar 987 is its anti-static functionality, which helps prevent polymer powder from clinging to the reactor walls during the polymerisation process. This anti-fouling behavior is critical in stabilising reactor temperatures, ensuring uniform product quality, and extending catalyst life—a set of benefits that contribute directly to higher throughput and lower operational risks for polyolefin resin producers. With an effective dosage range of just 100–300 ppm, Einar 987 delivers performance without compromising economic or environmental efficiency.
Palsgaard introduces Einar 987 anti-fouling additive for the PE and PP polymerisation process as a safer alternative to ethoxylated amines.
The additive has already undergone successful trials with select resin manufacturers, demonstrating its reliability and compatibility in commercial-scale operations. Palsgaard’s technical teams continue to support further evaluations globally, enabling smooth adoption of this safer and more circular solution.
Founded in 1917, Palsgaard has long been at the forefront of developing plant-based, food-safe additives not only for food products but increasingly for polymer processing and packaging applications. The introduction of Einar 987 marks another milestone in the company’s journey to bridge natural chemistry with the performance needs of modern plastics manufacturing.
Einar 987 will be a key highlight at Palsgaard’s booth during K 2025, where the company will also present other innovations in bio-based, carbon-neutral polymer additives that align with the industry’s push toward circularity and safer chemistry. As regulatory pressures tighten and consumer demand for sustainable products rises, solutions like Einar 987 demonstrate how renewable, high-performance additives can help polymer producers meet the dual goals of environmental compliance and operational excellence.
NORMA Group COO Daniel Heymann’s Contract Extended for Three More Years
Dr. Daniel Heymann’s tenure as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NORMA Group has been extended for an additional three years. The current contract, which was set to expire in May 2026, has been mutually extended by the NORMA Group Supervisory Board and Dr. Daniel Heymann by three years, until May 2029.
“With Dr. Daniel Heymann, we have an experienced and innovative leader. He has already impressively demonstrated his expertise in the global industrial business. Over the past two years, he has significantly advanced efficiency improvements, automation, and quality assurance within the company. With a view to the transformation of NORMA Group into a focused industrial supplier, he will play a key role as the Management Board member responsible for operations. We have great confidence that Mr. Heymann will continue to contribute to the sustained profitable growth of NORMA Group,” said Kerstin Müller-Kirchhofs, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of NORMA Group.
Dr. Daniel Heymann has extensive management experience in industry and has been responsible for NORMA Group’s operations as COO since May 1, 2023. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of the Dräxlmaier Group, responsible for global operations in the automotive interiors sector. Prior to that, Dr. Heymann held various positions within the Group, including plant manager and global production manager for the manufacture of components, including battery management systems for electric vehicles. During his career, he has successfully evaluated production processes and capacities on several occasions and optimized them according to lean management principles.
K 2025 Preview Spotlights Packaging That’s Sustainable by Design
Didier Houssier, Director Market Development at Kuraray
Kuraray, the Japanese-headquartered global specialty chemicals leader, is leading sustainable innovation in packaging with new high-performance materials for recyclable mono-material barrier packaging designs – bicircular EVAL EVOH, biodegradable PLANTIC, KURARAY POVAL, EXCEVAL, ELVANOL, and MOWIFLEX. These speciality barrier technologies enable food and beverages brand owners, plastics converters and packaging manufacturers to create performant circular barrier packaging while decreasing their environmental footprint and food waste through shelf-life extension.
Polyvinyl butyral MOWITAL used as a binder for multi-layer packaging products further expands Kuraray’s offering for packaging innovation. Whether combined with paper or plastic-based substrates, the company’s materials are key enablers to help meet the circularity requirement set by the regulations now in place as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and help reduce additional fees set by the Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) when ECO-Modulation is considered. Kuraray’s solutions support sustainability across a wide variety of packaging formats by recently adding ISCC PLUS-certified products to its product portfolio. Through close collaboration with industry partners (co-creation), the company turns complex packaging challenges into practical, future-proof solutions.
Photo Credit: Messe Düsseldorf
Sustainability starts at the source. Kuraray’s ISCC PLUS-certified grades such as EVAL, KURARAY POVAL, ELVANOL, EXCEVAL, and MOWITAL support the use of renewable feedstocks via a mass balance approach. This certification ensures transparency, traceability, and sustainable practices throughout complex supply chains and allows brand owners to reduce their Scope 3 emissions while maintaining the high performance required in modern packaging. Depending on the grade, verified carbon footprint reductions of up to 60% can be achieved with Kuraray’s materials.
Recently, Kuraray’s Bayport Plant in Pasadena, Texas has received ISCC PLUS certification, following its La Porte Plant, the manufacturing site for ELVANOL, as the company’s second site in the United States to receive this certification. In Bayport, Kuraray produces the polyvinyl alcohol resins KURARAY POVAL and EXCEVAL.
At K 2025, Kuraray will be presenting the following product highlights:
EVAL EVOH – EVAL is a high-performance oxygen barrier for recyclable mono-material packaging in plastic and paper formats. A 1-millimetre layer of EVAL provides the same gas barrier performance as a 10-metre-thick wall of LDPE – enabling ultra-thin, lightweight, and resource-saving multilayer structures and therefore helping to reduce waste. New EVAL grades for metallisation offer an aluminium-free alternative for dry food such as snacks, coffee, milk or soup powders packaging. Moreover, bicircular ISCC PLUS-certified versions are available from the Antwerp plant.
KURARAY POVAL, EXCEVAL, ELVANOL, and MOWIFLEX – KURARAY POVAL, EXCEVAL, ELVANOL, and MOWIFLEX are Kuraray’s polyvinyl alcohols (PVOH) developed for sustainable packaging. They are water-soluble, film-forming, and support recyclable and compostable packaging. KURARAY POVAL is used in biodegradable cushioning foams as an alternative to EPS, offering enhanced structure and insulation. EXCEVAL is biodegradable in water, repulpable, and provides strong gas barriers – even at elevated humidity – as well as strong resistance to oil and grease. ELVANOL also offers excellent resistance to oil and grease as well as solvents, making it ideal for water-soluble film applications. Kuraray’s novel MOWIFLEX TC polymer compound is a thermoplastically processable film designed specifically for packaging applications. In addition, Kuraray’s bicircular polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) products are also available at the Frankfurt plant.
Technical Manager Dentistry Kuraray Europe GmbH
PLANTIC – Renewable PLANTIC film is now also available in pellet form as PLANTIC EP. This thermoplastic starch-based, biodegradable and compostable biopolymer is ideal for packaging dry goods such as coffee, tea and animal feed, as well as MAP food applications. Its excellent oxygen barrier helps preserve aroma and product quality. Furthermore, PLANTIC is dispersible in water, enabling the separation of multilayers and allowing for easy repulping of paper packaging.
MOWITAL – MOWITAL polyvinyl butyral can also be used as an optimal auxiliary in coatings and as a binder for multi-layer packaging products.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets clear targets for the circularity of packaging, adding design for recycling criteria. Kuraray provides concrete solutions to produce ready-to-recycle packaging with functionally equivalents to current non-recyclable structures with EVAL, EXCEVAL, or PLANTIC. Kuraray teams provide expertise in working together with industry stakeholders to identify the right material combinations that ensure mechanical recyclability, compliance, and high performance across all barrier packaging.
R&D Solutions Transform the Plastics Economy at K 2025
As the global plastics and chemicals industry preparing for K 2025, one of the most impactful trade fairs in the industry, Wanhua Chemical is set to be in the spotlight with the theme “Innovative Solutions for A Sustainable Life”. In a recent K 2025 Preview, Mr. Bruce Wen, Senior Executive of Wanhua, provided insightful information into the company’s strategic focus, especially in the areas of research and development, sustainability, and market responsiveness. With a strong conviction that innovation is the key to success, Wanhua is driving change in the materials landscape through aggressive investments in cutting-edge technologies and sustainable business models.
Wanhua Chemical is well-known for its robust R&D abilities, backed by a team of more than 5,000 committed researchers. Mr. Wen stated that the company committed over 4.5 billion RMB (around 570 million) to R&D last year, highlighting Wanhua’s dedication to long-term innovation. The company’s research efforts are directed at addressing several key market needs, especially improving quality of life through advanced material solutions Wen explained, emphasizing the company’s dedication to enhancing the everyday experiences of consumers.
Mr. Bruce Wen, Senior Executive of Wanhua Chemical, Photo Credit: Messe Düsseldorf
“To meet the demand for improving life quality, we supply a series of materials like TPU and PoE,”
One of the most dynamic areas Wanhua is focusing on involves the electrification of the automotive industry and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence. These trends are generating new requirements for high-performance materials, especially in optical applications. In response, Wanhua has established a specialized optical material platform designed to meet the increasing need for clarity, durability, and performance in lighting, displays, and sensors. This strategic move positions the company to support the ongoing evolution of smart mobility and autonomous vehicle technologies.
Sustainability, however, remains a cornerstone of Wanhua’s corporate strategy. Mr. Wen was candid in stating, “Sustainability is a very hot topic these years. We can’t escape.” Wanhua is addressing this challenge comprehensively by transforming its energy framework and incorporating clean energy solutions like nuclear power, solar energy, and wind power. The transition to renewable energy has been accompanied by internal actions to enhance production efficiency and lower total energy usage. On the materials front, Wanhua has come up with end-to-end solutions encompassing bio-based and recycled products that help customers achieve sustainability targets without compromising on performance and costs.
Photo Credit: Messe Düsseldorf
In response to wider market trends, Wanhua is also expanding its knowledge into the healthcare and green energy industries. Wanhua already supplies materials such as medical-grade polycarbonate, TPU, and PVC and is now engineering more advanced alternatives like medical-grade polysulfone. These materials facilitate numerous medical uses, indicating an increasing demand for safety, biocompatibility, and dependability in healthcare items. Meanwhile, Wanhua is also proactively contributing to the transition towards green energy through the provision of materials like BOE, nylon, and TPU, which are vital in the manufacturing of wind turbine blades, solar panel encapsulants, and energy storage systems. “There’s broad consensus globally on the importance of clean energy,” Mr. Wen noted, “and in turn, we provide various materials to support the development of the green energy industry.”
Looking ahead to K 2025 in Düsseldorf, Mr. Wen expressed strong enthusiasm about the opportunities the event will present. For Wanhua, K is not just a trade show—it is a platform for collaboration, discovery, and industry-wide dialogue. “Collaborative, sustainable for a broad future,” he said, describing not only the company’s K 2025 motto but its overall vision. The company aims to engage with partners and customers from around the world, share insights into its latest innovations, and foster long-term relationships that can drive shared success.
While the plastics sector is under increasing environmental, technological, and regulatory strains, Wanhua Chemical’s strategy serves as a template for innovation in the future. The balance between market responsiveness and long-term sustainability that the company demonstrates is not only reengineering its own operations but transforming the business ecosystem as a whole. Mr. Wen’s words uncover a science-based company focused on solving tough problems and enthusiastic about co-creating a better tomorrow through cooperation and openness.
With K 2025 on the horizon to command international attention, Wanhua’s presence will certainly be one of the event’s showstoppers. The company’s message is simple: by way of innovation, collaboration, and relentless dedication to sustainability, the plastics industry can make sustainable strides. Wanhua Chemical stands ready to take that lead.
The Preview underlined that 
The 
