NEWS


TactoTek innovation hub opens


Finnish smart surface technology company TactoTek has opened a new innovation hub in Munich, Germany, featuring in-mould structural elec- tronics (IMSE) showrooms, demonstrations, and IMSE-related workshops. “The mutual learning of being close to customers results in the right solu- tions built faster, and crisply focuses priorities,” said Jussi Harvela, Tac- toTek CEO. “We have successfully developed close relationships with many Central European market leaders; our Munich Innovation Hub expands the reach of our leading-edge IMSE solutions and their significant environmental benefits.” �www.tactotek.com


German converters report 6% sales fall


GKV, the trade organisation that represents German plastics processors, report- ed a fall in turnover last year. It said this was down to “current unfavourable condi- tions for the German industry”, such as lower consumer spending, rising interest rates and higher energy prices. In addition, uncertainty over future prospects led to a reluc- tance to invest. GKV said that sales fell below €73bn in 2023, a decline of 6% compared to 2022. Nearly 42% of sales (€30bn) were from exports – almost identical in value to the preceding year. At the same time, domestic sales fell by almost 10%, to account for more than €42bn. “The cause of the


economic crisis in Germany is predominantly of a


German plastics converting, 2023 Sales 2023 (bn€) 42.3 30.2 72.5


Domestic Export Total


Source: GKV


structural nature,” said Helen Fuerst, President of GKV. “We need a future- oriented growth agenda so that industry can pick up speed again in two to three years.” Such an agenda must focus on energy, bureaucracy, investments and digitalisation, she said. Processing volumes also fell – by around 9% to 12.7m tonnes of plastic. Of this, 2.4m tonnes was recyclate – the same amount as in 2023. In the same period, the industry’s workforce declined by around 2% to just under 320,000 people. The number of processing


Low-carbon headlamp concept


German automotive supplier Forvia Hella says it has developed a headlamp concept which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 70% over the product life cycle and cuts its weight to 2 kg from the more conventional 5 kg. The headlamp is based on a design principle in which significantly fewer components are used and purely decorative parts with no other function are omitted. Materials such as bio-based plastics or recyclate are primarily used and a SSL48 light module is


6


plants remained stable at around 3,000 facilities. The packaging sector


saw a near-10% decline in the amount of material processed (4.2m tonnes). This equated to turnover in the sector of nearly €1.7bn, a fall of nearly 8%, said GKV. Fuerst also called for a


rethink on regulation: “Europe and Germany need an effective stop sign against bureaucracy. We demand that at least half of all regulations be abolished within the next parliamentary term of the European Parliament.” � www.gkv.de


Acquisition in Germany


Happich-Pelzer Group has acquired insolvent


The headlamp can incorporate bio-based and recycled materials


integrated which requires significantly less installation space.


In addition, unlike conventional headlamps, the company said it should


INJECTION WORLD | March/April 2024


also be possible to replace and repair individual parts to extend the service life of the headlight and increase its recycling rate. � www.hella.com


German injection moulder Gebrüder Schmidt and Novotion. The Idar-Ober- stein-based companies, which offer technical moulding and product development services, will operate as Happich-Inno- vation. Since being acquired by Pelzer Swiss Holding in 2010, Happich- Pelzer has achieved revenue growth of 411%. � www.happich.de


www.injectionworld.com


% Change -9.4 -0.3 -6.0


IMAGE: FORVIA HELLA


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