PlastikMedia: The Morning Brief

In today’s brief:♻️ Circular Economy: KraussMaffei UK partners with Solinatra to showcase a live compostable cutlery production cell at Interplas 2026. The demonstration highlights how plant-based materials can be processed efficiently on standard all-electric machinery to meet high-volume manufacturing needs. 🛡️ Defence Strategy: The Ministry of Defence outlines plans to strengthen domestic suppl...

In today’s brief:📈 Strategic Growth: Plastek UK accelerates its expansion into technical plumbing, construction, and food-contact sectors. The Mansfield manufacturer is scaling up its workforce and automation capabilities to manage complex new overmoulding contracts through 2026. 🧪 Material Innovation: Broadway details its technical lineup for Interplas 2026 at the NEC Birmingham. The masterbatc...

In today’s brief:🛠️ Toolmaking Expansion: Blackburn-based MGS Technical Plastics announces the launch of MGS Technical Engineering Ltd. The new sister company formalises the group’s toolmaking and machining capabilities, supporting clients from initial concept and prototyping through to full volume production. 🏆 Celebrating Excellence: Entries are now officially open for the 25th anniversary of t...

In today’s brief: ⚙️ Machinery Investment: Linear Plastics adds three energy-efficient Wittmann UK SmartPower moulding cells to handle rising demand, complementing a recent £750k solar and battery storage installation. 🌍 Global Trade: The UK concludes landmark trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, a massive breakthrough set to slash tariffs and unlock new advanced manufacturing op...

In today’s brief: 👔 Director Appointment: Arburg announces the return of Ashlee Gough as Sales Director. Bringing over 15 years of industry experience, Gough will lead the sales organisation across the UK and Ireland to drive strategic growth and customer-focused technical solutions. ⚙️ Machinery Launch: Boston Matthews introduces its new Servo Coiler, engineered for greater accuracy and repeatab...

In today’s brief:🧪 Sustainable Materials: Impact Solutions introduces its Impact-Bio offering ahead of Interplas 2026. The service includes a rapid screening option providing biodegradability results in just three days, helping manufacturers validate sustainability claims with robust data aligned to standard OECD classifications. ⚙️ Machinery Showcase: SG Moulding Solutions announces its line-up...

In today’s brief: 👤 Senior Appointment: ARBURG Limited promotes Alex Gall to Aftersales Director. Moving up from Aftersales Manager, Gall’s fifteen years of technical experience will drive the company's integrated approach to lifetime machine support and customer trust across the UK and Ireland. 📍 Exhibition Preview: Shibaura Machine and TM Robotics announce their showcase for Interplas 2026...

In today’s brief:🚀 Capacity Expansion: Broadway significantly increases its production capabilities with the launch of a high-tech USEON compounding line. The investment adds 2,000 tonnes of annual capacity, enabling the processing of challenging polymers like TPU and PLA for high-performance automotive applications.⚽ Event Preview: Wittmann UK gears up for Interplas 2026, bringing the energy-sa...

In today’s brief:📊 Market Update: Plastribution’s May report indicates a settling polymer market after recent volatility. While standard polymer prices are plateauing, engineering plastics face fresh increases as high crude oil forecasts continue to pressure margins through 2026.🤖 Manufacturing Investment: Hymid and ARBURG showcase the results of a 14-year automation journey. We look at how the...

In today’s brief: 🛠️ GTMA Showcase: Faulkner Moulds exhibits at today’s Toolmaking and Tooling Technologies Event at Mazak. The Yorkshire-based toolmaker is meeting visitors at stand 16 to discuss their in-house production strategies and expertise in complex, high-volume tooling including twin-shot and unscrewing mechanisms. 🏆 Manufacturing Champion: CJ Tool & Mouldings is named a finalist fo...

In today’s brief: 🤝 Global Integration: DOMO Engineered Materials and RadiciGroup complete their transition into a new global platform under Lone Star Funds. The move strengthens the Technyl brand’s position in the UK market while ensuring continuity for automotive and electronics partners. 📍 Interplas Preview: Intelicare prepares for the 2026 exhibition at the NEC, announcing the showcase of Fo...

In today’s brief: 🚀 Expansion & Innovation: MGS Technical Plastics reveals plans for its largest Interplas stand to date. The Lancashire-based moulder will showcase a range of technical expertise and highlight its achievement of reducing carbon emissions by 50% over the last five years. 🧱 Visualising Data: Intouch Monitoring returns to the NEC with a unique installation featuring four miniat...

In today’s brief: 📍 Interplas Countdown: Visitor registrations surge across the automotive and medical sectors as the 2026 show approaches. Key highlights include Intouch Monitoring’s interactive LEGO production demo, the UK debut of KRAIBURG TPE, and the latest energy-efficient machinery launches from ENGEL and Eurochiller. 🤖 Humanoid Innovation: The Sharp Group trials an AI-powered humanoid ro...

In today’s brief: 📊 Global Update: The ENGEL Group reports its 2025/26 financial results, highlighting a EUR 1.4 billion revenue. We explore the CEO’s call for a more stable industrial policy in Europe to safeguard long-term investment and competitiveness for UK and European manufacturers. 🎓 Skills & Training: Great Central Plastics invests in its production team through a specialist trainin...

In today’s brief: 📉 Market Volatility: Ethylene hits a record high of 1,695 Euros per metric ton as global oil instability ripples through the supply chain. We examine the tension between producers and buyers as record polymer pricing begins to impact market affordability and demand. 🎂 Golden Anniversary: Engel UK marks 50 years of operation as a subsidiary. Global CEO Stefan Engleder visited th...

In today’s brief: 🏗️ Interplas Debut: ENGEL Group prepares to showcase the victory electric 220 in Birmingham next month. The world-first production cell aims to reduce unit costs and energy consumption through tie-bar-less technology and AI-driven process optimisation. 🤝 Manufacturing Partnership: TCB Arrow joins The Stamford Group of Companies. The move integrates TCB’s precision moulding exper...

In today’s brief:📍 Interplas Milestone: The PlastikCity Pavilion for Interplas 2026 is officially fully booked. Twenty specialist partners are now confirmed for Stand F110, creating a dedicated hub for UK and Irish SMEs to showcase their expertise alongside global industry leaders at the NEC.⚙️ Exhibition Highlights: As the countdown to June continues, we preview upcoming technology from STV Mach...

In today’s brief:✈️ Aviation Innovation: A world-first pilot facility opens in Kent to convert non-recyclable waste plastics into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Operated by Clean Planet Technologies, the site uses patented pyrolysis technology to process five million tonnes of waste annually, reducing lifecycle carbon emissions by over 70% compared to traditional jet fuel. 🏗️ Interplas Showcase:...

In today’s brief: 📍 KraussMaffei Update: Following last week’s machinery preview, KraussMaffei UK details its expansive Interplas showcase. The firm will feature three dedicated zones focusing on technical integration and lifecycle services, including the UK debut of the all-electric PX injection moulding machine. ♻️ Material Strategy: Hardie Polymers’ Rachel Aitken prepares to address the practi...

In today’s brief: 💻 Software Standardisation: Kistler launches major upgrades to its ComoNeo and AkvisIO platforms, introducing enhanced AI processing and global process templates. These tools are designed to simplify data-driven troubleshooting, with a specific focus on the rigorous requirements of medical device manufacturing. 🏆 Quality Excellence: Pentagon Plastics celebrates the professional...

In today’s brief: 🤖 Automation Leadership : FANUC UK and Ireland announces the appointment of Andy Armstrong as Managing Director. With over 40 years of experience, Armstrong aims to drive the adoption of AI and data-driven robotics to improve the UK’s global competitiveness in manufacturing. 📅 Event Preview : With only five weeks to go until Interplas 2026, we take a closer look at what the UK’...

In today’s brief:⚡ Energy Relief Delay: Make UK responds to the Government’s British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. While the package offers energy bill relief from 2027, industry leaders warn that the lack of immediate support leaves UK manufacturers vulnerable to critical cost pressures this month. 🤝 Leadership Transition: Ashlee Gough announces he is stepping away from his role as Head of...

In today’s brief: 📍 Interplas Preview: KraussMaffei UK reveals its showcase for the upcoming NEC event, including the UK premiere of the all-electric PX series. The demonstration will feature live production of compostable cutlery, highlighting how high-performance machinery can be successfully paired with 100% natural, plant-based materials. 🤖 Tech Advancement: RJG introduces its Autonomous Pro...

In today’s brief: ⚙️ Machinery Innovation: The ENGEL Group begins the global roll-out of its WINTEC e-win series, bringing all-electric injection moulding solutions to the wider market. We also look at the restructured duo portfolio, which offers UK processors significantly higher performance within a more streamlined machine selection. 🌱 Sustainability Reporting: IPL Schoeller releases its first...

In today’s brief: 📍 PlastikCity On Tour : PlastikCity joined the team on their visit to Opus International Products’ new 40,000 sq ft facility in Leamington Spa. Following a £1 million investment in machinery and systems, the company is strengthening its commitment to UK manufacturing while securing major future contracts in the luxury automotive sector. 🤝 Team Expansion : Arburg Ltd welcomes Fr...