Iranpolymer/Baspar The K 2025 International Exhibition, held from October 16 to 23, 2025, in Düsseldorf, Germany, once again transformed the city into the global capital of plastics and rubber technology. From injection molding halls to film extrusion lines and recycling units, this year’s focus revolved around three central pillars: process intelligence, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency.
More than 3,000 exhibitors from around the world showcased innovations that clearly demonstrated the industry’s readiness for a new technological leap.
- Injection Molding Machines
WITTMANN BATTENFELD — Intelligence in the Service of Precision
The Austrian company WITTMANN BATTENFELD, under the slogan Smart Choices – Smart Savings, presented a full range of intelligent injection molding systems.
Its flagship model, the MacroPower 500/3400, with a compact design and rotating injection unit, exemplified precision engineering and space efficiency. The Unilog B8X control system had increased response speed and achieved micron-level production accuracy.
The EcoPrimus 100, an all-electric cost-efficient machine, produced medical caps using a 24-cavity mold, while the SmartPower Insider integrated an entire production cell into a single compact unit. Alongside these, the MicroPower 15/10 demonstrated micro-part production with dimensions as small as 0.04 mm, and the VPower 160, featuring a dual-tie-bar rotary table, provided high flexibility and accessibility for complex molds.
KraussMaffei — Direct Compounding with CFP Technology
The KraussMaffei booth attracted major attention for introducing its Chopped Fiber Processing (CFP) technology. This innovation enabled direct compounding of polypropylene with chopped glass fibers during the injection molding process itself.
The GX 650-4300 machine, equipped with servo drive and BluePower system, produced automotive rear doors from PP+GF compound. The three-point cascadeX-controlled filling process ensured weld-line-free parts with superior mechanical properties. Production data were traceable in real time via QR codes, marking a tangible step toward fully digitalized manufacturing.
Haitian — Speed and Scale Serving Flexibility
Haitian International Group, with the slogan Level Up!, unveiled the fifth generation of all-electric Zhafir Zeres F series machines, designed specifically for the packaging sector. Injection speeds reached up to 500 mm/s, while MAV/F PRO models achieved a record 5-second cycle time in PP container production.
In parallel, Haitian introduced the new Jupiter series, integrated with the GoFactory MES system, enabling real-time process monitoring and analytics across production lines.
Chen Hsong — From Multi-Material Molding to iChen Artificial Intelligence
Chen Hsong from Hong Kong showcased three machine families:
- DMZ, for multi-material molding with a servo-driven rotary platen;
- SPARK, an all-electric series featuring patented ABC and ASRS technologies for exceptional precision and process stability;
- MK6 PRO, designed for IML (In-Mold Labeling) decorative part production.
At the core of the booth stood the iChen Smart Family, including iChen Factory, iChen Cloud, and AI Molder, a platform that utilized production data for predictive optimization and adaptive process control.
Arburg — Combining Precision with Compact Design
Arburg drew attention with two new solutions:
- The ALLROUNDER 475 V, a vertical injection machine with a compact footprint and a servo-hydraulic system, achieved up to 60% energy savings.
- The Allrounder Cube 1800 produced two-color caps using a 4+4 cavity mold within a 9-second cycle. The Cube technology, featuring dual parting lines operating simultaneously, increased spatial efficiency by 75%.
ENGEL — From Medical Equipment to Automotive Excellence
ENGEL impressed in two domains.
In medical applications, its all-electric e-motion 280 WP combi MW operated in a cleanroom environment to produce well plates and caps using a Variotwinstack mold. The Validation Assistant system conducted real-time digital process validation.
In automotive production, ENGEL presented a virtual model of its giant duo 5500 combi M machine, offering a clamping force of 55,000 kN. Utilizing clearmelt technology, the system performed direct polyurethane coating within the mold, combining molding and finishing in a single step.
FCS — All-Electric Two-Component Injection
Taiwan’s FCS introduced the CT-230R, capable of simultaneous two-material injection. With a precision of ±0.01 mm, the machine reduced cycle time by 20%. Its servo-drive design and high-accuracy rotary table made it particularly suitable for processing PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials.
WINTEC — ENGEL Engineering for the Mid-Range Market
WINTEC, a brand under ENGEL, presented its all-electric e-win 1800 for the first time in Europe, based on e-mac technology. With a clamping force of 1,800 kN, it produced flip-top caps in 8-cavity molds within cycles of under 10 seconds. The integrated iQ Weight Control system corrected viscosity fluctuations in real time to ensure consistent shot quality.
Shibaura Machine — Japanese Intelligence and Sustainability in the Cloud
Japan’s Shibaura Machine, with the slogan Smart. Green. Sustainable., showcased two new series:
- EC-SXIII, an all-electric model optimized for rPET applications;
- S-GenXt, a hydraulic system incorporating Binary Injection technology.
Both were connected to the IIoT machiNetCloud platform, displaying real-time dashboards for production, energy consumption, and maintenance data in the cloud.
Stäubli — Innovation in Quick Mold Change Systems
Stäubli presented the latest version of its QMC 123 magnetic clamping system, designed under a Design-to-Cost philosophy for small and medium-tonnage machines. The system significantly reduced mold change time and emphasized lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and energy consumption in light injection molding lines.
- Extrusion and Thermoforming
Omipa – Sustainable and Versatile Extrusion
The Italian company Omipa exhibited extrusion lines for hollow profiles made of polypropylene and polycarbonate, with widths of up to 3,200 mm. Its proprietary technology enabled the production of high-optical-clarity sheets for architectural and lighting applications. Full compatibility with PIR and PCR materials positioned the brand firmly on the path toward sustainability.
WM Thermoforming – Thermoforming Meets Artificial Intelligence
Swiss manufacturer WM operated two thermoforming machines, the FX780 IM2 and TWIST700, in live demonstrations. The former produced XPP containers under AI-based vision control, while the latter manufactured rPET cups using the MSvS automatic stacking system. The ability to switch technologies without mold replacement proved to be a major advantage for multi-product manufacturers.
OMG – Thermoforming Alternative Materials
Italian company OMG showcased its TPET thermoforming line for heat-resistant trays that withstood both oven and microwave applications. Additional systems for CPLA and dry paper materials were also introduced as sustainable replacements for conventional plastics.
CANNON – e-Forming and Artificial Intelligence for Energy Efficiency
CANNON introduced the e-Forming series as the most compact thermoforming system on the market. Its Easy Power Mapping system, driven by AI algorithms, optimized the temperature and energy consumption maps automatically. The Easy Tool Change function made tool replacement faster and safer.
Windmöller & Hölscher – Live Extrusion and Printing
At W&H, the VAREX II blown film extruder and ALPHAFLEX flexographic press operated live three times a day. Meanwhile, the company’s Lengerich technology center displayed new MDO lines for oriented films, which reduced neck-in and waste while improving film uniformity.
COLINES – Multilayer Extrusion for Modern Packaging
COLINES presented the PRE500 MULTI line as an advanced solution for producing multilayer sustainable films. With lower energy consumption and compatibility with recycled polyolefins, the system addressed the fast-growing demand for green packaging applications.
- Blow Molding, Moldmaking, and Auxiliary Equipment
Kautex – Fully Electric Blow Molding
Kautex Maschinenbau took a major step toward greener production with the debut of the KEB20 GREEN machine. The all-electric system, based on a modular design, was equipped with DataCap and Ewon Box for process monitoring and remote analytics. The demonstration line integrated a W. Müller head and a Feuerherm cooling unit running in synchronization.
Bekum – Multilayer Bottle Extrusion
Bekum unveiled its new blow molding technology for multilayer bottles featuring precise wall-thickness control. The company focused on lightweighting and incorporating higher percentages of recycled materials in packaging structures.
Kiefel – Thermoforming for Industrial and Medical Applications
Kiefel showcased new lines for producing rPET packaging trays and PLA biopolymer sheets. In the medical section, KID machines were introduced for manufacturing single-use medical devices.
Herbold Meckesheim – Preparing for Recycling
Herbold presented updated systems for shredding, washing, and separation in plastic recycling lines. The company emphasized energy efficiency and modular design for easier maintenance and system integration.
Tederic – Compact Injection Solutions
Chinese manufacturer Tederic featured its NEO series—fully electric injection systems with intelligent temperature control and compact design—developed for precision and technical parts.
- Recycling and Compounding
EREMA – ReadyMac Growth Continued
The ReadyMac technology from EREMA remained one of the highlights of the show. The new ReadyMac 500 HD, with a throughput of 500 kg/h and equipped with a laser filter, enabled high-quality post-consumer recycling. A doubling of sales in fiscal year 2025/26 underscored the global trust in this technology.
Coperion – Twin-Screw Extruders for the Future
Coperion presented its ZSK 58 Mc18 and STS 35 Mc11 extruders, offering new levels of performance in compounding. High torque, robust construction, and condition-monitoring systems increased OEE and reduced downtime. The STS model was introduced as a dedicated solution for masterbatch production with simplified cleaning.
- Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
SACMI – PURECAP and the Circular Packaging Chain
SACMI advanced the vision of a circular economy in beverage packaging through its PURECAP project. The CCM64MD machine, producing 2,850 caps per minute, utilized recycled rHDPE. The LBF 30M system, combining compression and blow molding, enabled the manufacture of lighter yet stronger bottles. The PVS inspection robot provided laboratory-level quality control of preforms.
Artificial Intelligence and Industry 4.0 Across the Halls
AI was present virtually everywhere at K 2025 — from WM’s vision-based control and Shibaura’s machiNetCloud platform to ENGEL’s iQ assistant and CANNON’s Power Mapping algorithm. Industry 4.0 was no longer a slogan; it had become the operational backbone of modern production systems.
- Italy and Europe: Innovation Amid Market Decline
Despite an 8 percent decline in Italian exports of plastics and rubber machinery during the first half of 2025, the participation of nearly 400 Italian companies at K 2025 demonstrated that Europe’s manufacturing heart continued to beat strongly. Companies such as SACMI, Omipa, CANNON, OMG, and WM pursued recovery through sustainability, energy efficiency, and design-driven innovation.
An Industry in the Process of Reinvention
The K 2025 fair was more than a showcase of machinery—it was a portrait of an industry redefining itself in the face of environmental, digital, and economic transitions. In the aisles of Düsseldorf, terms such as energy efficiency, circular economy, and intelligent automation were no longer future aspirations but visible, working realities.
The plastics industry at K 2025 proved that its path was no longer about producing more, but about producing better, greener, and smarter — a moment when the future was already happening.
