news


Europe’s machine makers report weaker demand


Germany’s plastics and rubber machinery association VDMA predicts a slight decline in sales for 2013 as demand has weakened, while the latest data from the Italian machin- ery association Assocomoplast also shows the year has got off to an uncertain start. According to the VDMA,


Germany’s sales of plastics machinery for 2013 will be down by 1% on 2012, taking output to around €6.5bn. “In October last year, the associa- tion had predicted 3% growth for 2013. Based on the last six months, this has now been revised slightly downwards,” said association chairman Ulrich Reifenhäuser (pictured). After declining last year, the


VDMA said exports to Asia’s emerging markets are now


picking up again and demand from central and eastern Europe is also on the rise. However, the domestic German market has weakened. Reifenhäuser said the level


of incoming orders for April “gives us reason to hope that things have now bottomed out.” That, together with the expected boost resulting from the K fair in October, means


the VDMA is still confident of a good 2014. It is predicting growth of 6% for next year, taking sales to €6.9bn. Meanwhile, the latest data


from the Italian Assocomoplast trade association shows the positive trend that started this year has evaporated, leaving the industry facing a 4% drop in exports and 9% decline in imports. The association said the


most recent business climate survey indicated a modest upturn in order intake, which it hopes will help exports recover. However, it said there are no signs of an increase in production output on the domestic front in the near future. ❙ www.vdma.org ❙ www.assocomaplast.org


Polykemi secures electronics deal


Swedish compounder Polykemi has signed a supply contract with SEWS-CE, a European subsidiary of the Japanese electronics company


Sumitomo Wiring Systems (SWS). The contract covers the


supply of PBT and PP based compounds for applications


including cable connectors and fuse boxes, which SEWS-CE supplies to many of the leading German car manufacturers. ❙ www.polykemi.se


LPKF acts on laser patents


German laser specialist LPKF Laser and Electronics said last month it had initiated legal action in Germany against an un-named mobile phone maker that it claims is using parts that infringe its Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) patents. The move follows a decision by the Chinese Patent Office that ruled the LDS patent invalid. However, the company says this ruling only applies within China. “Our patent has been


and continues to be valid in all other important markets worldwide, and covers the entire LDS process. Hence, we will not only take legal action against electronic producers, but also those who use the parts in their products,” said Dr Ingo Bretthauer, LPKF CEO. LDS selectively sensi- tises the surface of plastic parts to allow metal circuits to be deposited. ❙ www.lpkf.com


Rexam puts sale sign on Healthcare


UK-headquartered packaging group Rexam said it plans to sell its Healthcare Packaging division as part of its strategy of focusing on its core beverage can activities. With sales of £427m, the healthcare division


accounted for less than 10% of Rexam’s £4.76bn sales last year. Performance of the business declined by 2% in 2012, attributed in part to increased competition and pricing pressure in primary packaging.


www.injectionworld.com In its 2012 end of year report, the company


said: “Efficiencies of £7m, driven principally from lean manufacturing practices and lower energy use, were not sufficient to offset lower prescription volumes…pricing was also down as gains in the Prescription business were more than offset by the effect of the customer’s product coming off patent. As a result, both profit margin and RONA declined in 2012.” ❙ www.rexam.com


July/August 2013 | INJECTION WORLD 5


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