PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

From trimming cycle times to optimizing the use of recycled materials, the ability to collect data and tweak production based on it offers molders many benefits, said representatives of injection molding machine makers — and molders are beginning to embrace Industry 4.0.   In this episode of PMM Insight, Senior Reporter Karen Hanna shares what she learned on the NPE floor about the state of smarte...

PMM Managing Editor Lynne Sherwin attended NPE2024 as a first-timer. Editor Ron Shinn talks with her about her experiences, what she and other PMM staffers heard from participants, and what it might foretell for plastics machinery makers and processors. 

When we think of the factory of the future, we often picture a fully automated facility with few workers. But manufacturing gurus are beginning to talk about Industry 5.0, a human-centric, sustainable and resilient approach, in which robots and humans do what they do best in tandem, rather than having machines replace people. PMM Editor Ron Shinn explains why this may be the real future of manufac...

The recently concluded fourth round of UN talks on a global plastics treaty made some progress in narrowing down the issues still facing delegates, according to Stewart Harris, senior director for global plastics policy in the plastics division of the American Chemistry Council. But there is still crucial work to be done before the fifth and final meeting in November. Hear Stewart's analysis and p...

Processors who reject smart manufacturing technologies are putting their future at risk, says industry expert Alaa Elwany of Texas A&M. The government is mulling ways to help manufacturers unlock Industry 4.0 innovations, while surveys indicate growing interest among manufacturers.  Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman looks at the state of smart manufacturing in the plastics industry in this episo...

Manufacturing technologies are evolving quickly, and those who don’t implement Industry 4.0 risk being left behind. Start small, but in a way that allows your company to scale up, says Editor Ron Shinn.

A survey of more than 300 manufacturers found that 99 percent say they plan to increase spending in technology and Industry 4.0 in 2024. At the same time, the cost of sensors, hardware and computing services are coming down. In this episode of PMM Insight, Mo Abuali, digital director for manufacturing, retail and distribution at Wipfli LLP, told Editor Ron Shinn that these two trends have the pote...

PMM Editor Ron Shinn has been to every NPE since 1991. In this episode of PMM Insight, he chooses 10 of the 111 Product Innovations featured in our April show preview issue that he's most excited to see. 

Editor Ron Shinn, a veteran of dozens of plastics trade shows, looks forward to NPE2024 in May. It's been six years since the last one, and at the rate technology is advancing, there'll be many revelations to enjoy on the show floor. 

Auxiliary plastics processing equipment such as blenders, dryers and feeders can now collect and analyze data, make production adjustments on the fly, predict maintenance and more. These intelligent upgrades also help processors manage the lack of skilled labor in their plants. Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman spoke with representatives of several major equipment manufacturers to find out how smart...

The need to address the plastics pollution problem is universally acknowledged, but progress has been slow and parties are often working at cross-purposes. PMM Editor Ron Shinn gives his perspective on the struggle to find common ground for the sake of the earth.

Private equity investors are having an impact on the plastics industry. The results are bigger, more sophisticated plastics companies with deeper pockets that are willing to invest in technology to accelerate growth. John Hart, managing director of P&M Corporate Finance, speaks with PMM Editor Ron Shinn about the trend.

Inflation, high interest rates and supply chain disruptions have created uncertainty throughout the economy, but whatever the short-term outlook, one constant is clear: Finding workers will remain a challenge. Senior reporter Karen Hanna looks at the employment outlook for the plastics industry in this episode of PMM Perspective.

Your manufacturing data is a valuable asset. Find out how to use this information to increase productivity and serve your customers better.

Every recycler has horror stories about contaminated bales of recyclable materials, and knowing what's in a bale is essential to meet standards for recycled pellets or flake. Transparency in the marketplace would benefit everyone, but there are problems with the model that might actually discourage use of PCR, according to one industry expert. Editor Ron Shinn details the issues in this episode of...

Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing recently conducted its fifth annual survey of machinery investment plans for the upcoming year. The results, and follow-up interviews with processors, equipment OEMs and plastics industry experts, make the case for "cautious optimism" in 2024. In this episode of PMM Perspective, we look into the crystal ball to see what the year ahead holds for the plastics m...

Emissions that come from the manufacturing and transport of plastic parts can and should be controlled. When plastics processors commitment to greener practices, it benefits the environment, customers, workers and the business. Explore the use of digital technology to monitor processes, and sustainable energy sources.  Hear more in this commentary from PMM Editor Ron Shinn.

Arlene Davis, director of NPE content and experience for the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), talks with Editor Ron Shinn about the extensive conference and educational programs that will be available at NPE2024 in May, significantly enhancing the NPE experience. 

How companies handle promotions and professional development can go a long way toward easing  challenges they might otherwise face filling job openings .   While employers might have once been able to rely on trade schools and a deep labor pool to fill roles ranging from entry-level to supervisory positions, human-resources (HR) experts say that’s no longer the case. In many instances, they have t...

Wages and other costs for the new contract won by the United Auto Workers will trickle down to Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 auto suppliers, including plastics processors, according to industry analyst Laurie Harbour. The automotive supply chain was already vulnerable before the UAW strike because of COVID, labor shortages and lower automotive volumes. In this episode of PMM Insight: PMM In Person, Ha...

From plant design to part quality, artificial intelligence offers manufacturers efficiency advantages. Jimmy Asher, managing director and Smart Factory CTO, Deloitte Consulting LLP, detailed the ways AI is applicable to the plastics industry in this article by Bruce Geiselman .    Read more about AI: IMM makers integrate artificial intelligence to improve production. Use AI to leverage your manufa...

Representatives from the American Chemistry Council discuss two issues of growing importance to plastics processors — extended producer responsibility programs, commonly referred to as EPR programs, and polyfluorinated substances, or PFAS. Tim Shestek, senior director for state affairs in the Western Region, and Robert Simon, vice president for Chemical Products and Technology, speak with PMM Edit...

Plastics processors are facing challenges in their workforces as experienced operators retire and new employees need to level up their skills. Senior Staff Reporter Karen Hanna details the efforts of OEMs, training programs and companies to educate their staffs and prepare them for the future. Read more from our package, on how training can be tailored to individual needs , and how one company is...

PMM Editor Ron Shinn speaks with Matt Seaholm, CEO of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), about the global effort to solve the problem of plastics in the environment, and the organization's role in those initiatives.

Every plastics processor should take the threat of cybercrime seriously. Senior Staff Reporter Bruce Geiselman details steps you can take to make sure your data is safe, your employees are aware and your company has a plan if the worst happens. Read more stories from our report, about cyber insurance and about ransomware .