Renouncement is the trend that determines public perception of plastics today. Many consumers prefer products that are better for the environment, which is often equated to using less plastics. It is true, though, that plastics are important materials when it comes to finding answers to the challenges posed by the increase in population, high energy demand as well as growing urbanization and mobility.

Dr. Michael Zobel, Vice-President at PlasticsEurope Deutschland e. V. and Managing Director, High Performance Materials, at Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, Dormagen, Germany

Guest Commentary by Dr. Michael Zobel

Verpackungsmaterial

Logistik

Kunststoffe

Photonik

Optik

Recycling

Umweltmanagement

Leichtbau

Kunststoff Werkstoffe

Kunststoff

Bauwesen

Baustoffe

Kunststoffhandel

Dienstleistungen

Handel

Kunststoff-Recycling

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Verfahren

Kunststoff-Aufbereitung

Werkstoff

The Answer to Many Questions

Chinaplas 2022, to be held from April 25 to 28, will bring together more than 4000 exhibitors of the plastics and rubber industries from all over the world to launch innovative green solutions.

The 3rd Chinaplas x CPRJ Plastics Recycling and Circular Economy Conference and Showcase will be held one day prior to the show in Shanghai (photo from last year’s event).

Verbände, Institutionen, Messen

Kunststoffverarbeitung: Maschinen und Komponenten

Kunststoff-Verpackungsmaschine

Sondermaschinen

The Theme Color of the Show Is Green

Aimplas participates in European Space Agency project to develop new materials under microgravity conditions in the Earth’s orbit.

View of the northern region of the Earth.

16:9

Unternehmen

kunststoffe.de

Aimplas Supports ESA Project

Susanne Schröder will become editor-in-chief of the magazines Kunststoffe and Kunststoffe international on December 1, 2020. The current editor-in-chief Dr. Karlhorst Klotz will leave the company by mutual agreement.

Susanne Schröder will become editor-in-chief of the magazines Kunststoffe and Kunststoffe international on December 1, 2020. Until now she has been editor-in-chief of the trade journal FORM+Werkzeug

Werkzeuge für Leichtbauwerkstoffe

Präzisionswerkzeuge

Tiefziehwerkzeug

Werkzeug-, Formen- und Modellbau

Werkzeugüberwachung

Toolmanagement

Werkzeugwechselsysteme, Spritzgieß

Werkzeuge für die Kunststoffverarbeitung

Spritzgießwerkzeuge

Werkzeug- und Formenbau

Modulare Werkzeugsysteme

Absaugungen für Werkzeugmaschinen

Betriebsausrüstung / Betriebsmittel

Absaugvorrichtungen

Fluorkunststoffe

Thermoplaste

Werkzeugverwaltungssoftware

Prüfen von Kunststoffen

Messtechnik

Biokunststoffe

Presswerkzeuge, Kunststoff

Werkzeugreinigung, Kunststoffe

Standardkunststoffe

Kunststoffverarbeitung

Lohnfertigung

Technische Kunststoffe

Füllstoffe für Kunststoffe

Betriebstechnik für Kunststoffverarbeitung (Peripherie)

Kunststofffasern

Verstärkungsstoffe

Hochleistungskunststoffe

Qualitätssicherung Kunststoff

Qualitätssicherung

Change in the Chief Editorial Office of Kunststoffe

The non fossil fuel-based portfolio offers same high quality and performance for applications in all industries.

The Bornewables portfolio is suitable for the production of the most demanding applications, including hygiene and food-contact

Gehäuse aus Kunststoff

Elektromechanik

Kühlkörper

Polyethylen

Polystyrol

Polypropylen

Kunststoff-Regenerate

Borealis Launches Portfolio of Circular Polyolefins

The Danish company Plastix recycles old fishing nets and ropes. The granules produced are used by JSP International, among others, to manufacture expanded polypropylene (EPP).

11 % of the plastic waste in the sea comes from the maritime industry. For the recycling of old fishing nets and ropes, accurate sorting is very important

Expanded Polypropylene from Maritime Plastic Waste

Schaumstoffe und Vorprodukte

Schaumstoffe

Polypropylen-Compound

Kunststoff-Rezyklat

From Fishing Net to Particle Foam

The central issue in all polyurethane applications is the conversion from the past linear economy into a circular economy, and the use of sustainable raw materials in manufacturing. To do so, manufacturers are taking measures such as using bio-based raw materials, chemical recycling, and CO2 as a synthesis component. Digitalization, electromobility, autonomous driving and the construction industry are also driving PU development.

Insulation boards and metal composite elements are the primary applications for PU in the construction industry. Since buildings are  responsible for 40 % of global energy consumption, more efficient materials in this area can generate big savings, such as through improved insulations

Polyurethane (PU)

Bauchemie

Automotive

Elektronik

Polyurethan-Schaumstoffe (PUR)

Halbzeuge und Zwischenprodukte

Kunststoff-Halbzeuge

Baubetrieb / Bauwirtschaft

Polyurethan

Windkraft

Energieerzeugung

Erneuerbare Energie

Sustainable Growth

Due to its high-performing properties polyetheretherketone thermoplastic polymer is being used more and more frequently in many products.

PEEK can replace fluoropolymers in cryogenic applications. Advanced Engineering Valves uses PEEK from Victrex for sealings in ball valves

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

Elektronik-Fertigung

Polyetherketon

Mikroelektronik

Medizintechnik

Medizinprodukte

Delivering Efficiency Even in  Harsh Environments

Styrenics can be polymerized using different technologies and it can be modified with a range of copolymers. The resulting plastics offer a wide range of properties allowing to customize them for different applications. Because of this range of properties they are suitable for many industries. Strong demand is for example driven by the automotive industry, healthcare and the packaging industry.

Styrene copolymers are frequently used in the exterior of vehicles. The Chinese manufacturer Lixiang, for example, uses an ASA for the radiator grill of its electric vehicles

Styrenic Polymers

Styrol-Copolymerisate

Diverse Shapes and Applications

Lightweight construction, functionality and design are characteristic of material development in all areas of application for PC compounds, composites and films. The range of materials has enormous opportunities when it comes to the mobility of the future, lightweight structural construction with continuous fiber-reinforced composites, 5G technology and medical technology.

In electric vehicles, the original function of the radiator grille, namely to supply air to the engine, is no longer needed. It can therefore be used entirely as a design element, for example by integrating luminous logos and fade-out effects

Polycarbonate (PC)

Polycarbonat

Present in a Multitude of Trends

Optics play an increasingly important role in plastic components. Glossy and even surfaces are decisive for an attractive appearance. With glass fiber-reinforced polyamides (PA), these requirements can usually only be achieved with an additional coating. A PA specially developed for surface design offers an alternative approach.

For visible components, an even, glossy surface is often desired, which is often difficult to achieve with glass fiber-reinforced PA. PA Grivory G7V from EMS now solves this problem

Aliphatic High-Performance Polyamide for Plastic Surfaces

Spritzgießen

Polyamide

Oberflächentechnik

Faserverbundwerkstoffe

Andere Werkstoffe

Glossy Components without Painting

In this interview with Kunststoffe, Alfred Stern, CEO of Borealis, explains why he considers fixed recycling quotas to be necessary and why voluntary commitments do not work.

Together with Tomra and Zimmermann Recycling, Borealis has built a demonstration plant in Lahnstein. According to its own information, the most modern plant for mechanical recycling is intended to show what is possible with modern technology and equipment in a state-of-the-art plant for mechanical recycling

Alfred Stern, CEO of Borealis, Talks about the Circular Economy

Schröder, Susanne

Streifinger, Florian

“Unfortunately, the Only Globally Accepted Ideology Is Money”

Bio-based plastics can lock away vast quantities of CO<sub>2</sub> in durable, recyclable applications and make a real contribution to climate protection. All that is needed for this is the right product design and a functioning circular economy. By focusing more on this approach, the plastics sector has the chance to evolve into a key industry of a green economy.

Furniture and furnishings with a long service life are the ideal applications for bioplastics

20:7

How Bio-Based Polymers Can Help Sequester CO<sub>2</sub> for the Long Term

Kunststoffe, biobasiert

Kunststoffe, bioabbaubar

Into the Future with Biopolymers

Dow expertise and Endurance insulation system supports Saudi cable manufacturers supplying power grid upgrade.

Gas Plant from National Grid Saudi Arabia (NGSA) in Fadhili

Elektrotechnik

Ingenieurwissenschaften

Bau- / Elektroinstallation

Elektrokabel, -leitung, -drähte

Elektrotechnik, Elektronik

Dow and NGSA Cooperate on Ambitious Grid Upgrade

Leonhard Kurz’s “Iconic Space Grille”, does not only illustrates modern vehicle design but was also produced in a new production process.

The Iconic Space Grill can be adapted to the design of electric vehicles. With different lighting, it enables communication with other road users and an individual design according to the request of the user

Award-Winning Front Panel Combines Exciting Design with an Efficient  Manufacturing Process

An Eye-Catching Addition  to Electric Vehicles

The Swiss EMS Group achieves the second highest profit in the company‘s history in fiscal year 2022. The outlook for 2023 nevertheless remains cautious.

The Swiss EMS Group closes the fiscal year 2022 with record sales. The polyamide specialist also achieved the second highest profit in the company‘s history. However, the outlook for the new fiscal year 2023 remains cautious.

Recovery of the global economy after Covid-19 was stopped abruptly in the second quarter of 2022. The Ukraine conflict caused immense uncertainty and massively higher energy prices, particularly in Europe. Raw material prices rose exceptionally. Existing inflationary tendencies increased substantially, forcing central banks to raise interest rates. As a result, global purchasing power and economic development was hampered. In China, rigorous lockdown measures and the real-estate crisis depressed the consumer mood and had a negative effect on economic activity. A nationwide wave of infection with Covid-19 in December extending until the Chinese New Year in January 2023, led to a comprehensive consumer deficit and production shortage.

The Swiss Company EMS (EMS-Group) had already prepared for unstable economic development at the beginning of 2022. The proven strategy of specialties was continued and planned new development and expansion projects to generate new business were pursued now more than ever. In this way, new business with profitable specialties was realized successfully and pleasing growth of net sales achieved in all geographic regions. New products providing energy and cost savings were realized together with customers and opportunities presenting themselves in the markets were seized immediately.

The investment programme announced last year, with more than CHF 300 million invested in increased capacity and energy efficiency at the main production site in Domat/Ems (Switzerland), is being implemented as planned. Production capacity at various other sites was also expanded. Through proactive measures taken early to safeguard the energy supply, delivery reliability worldwide was ensured at all times. Rising inflation, in particular the massive increases in raw material prices, made corresponding sales price increases for customers inevitable.

Consolidated net sales closed at CHF 2.4 billion which is 8.3% above previous year. Weaker foreign currencies reduced net sales in Swiss Francs. Adjusted for currency influences, net sales rose by 12.6% to a new record value. Net operating income (EBIT) reached CHF 611 million, resulting, due to the difficult market environment and currency situation, in a decrease of 4.6% compared to the record year 2021. The operational cash flow (EBITDA) amounted to CHF 661 million. While customer orders in 2021 reflected the backlog demand and stocks were built up strongly throughout the whole supply chain, in 2022, customers followed the weakening economy, reducing stocks to gain liquidity and ordering extended holiday closures.

Net profit was CHF 535 million which corresponds to the second highest result in company history. Earnings per share amounted to CHF 22.75.

Urs Janssen, since 2019 Business Unit Leader EMS-Services and plant manager at Domat/Ems, will join Executive Management of the EMS Group as per March 1, 2023. His previous responsibilty will be taken over by Didier Grichting, who will join the EMS Group on March 1, 2023. Oliver Flühler, Member of Executive Management and CFO since May 16, 2022, will take up a new challenge outside the EMS Group as per the end of March 2023. Peter Germann, Member of Executive Management and CFO of the EMS Group until 2017 will assume responsibility as CFO ad interim.

For the business year 2023, EMS is expecting a subdued economy. In particular in the first half-year, economic development may still be very moderate due to the Covid-19 situation in China and the restrained consumer mood in Europe. Geopolitical conflicts, open energy issues and repeated increases in interest rates to counter inflation are having a dampening effect on economic development.

EMS Group successfully closes fiscal year 2022.

2023-02-17 - EMS

EMS Group: Net Sales at Record Level

issue 02/2023

issue 01/2023

issue 09/2022

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