NEWS


Injection moulding sales increased in 2025 in US


North American sales of plastics processing machin- ery continued to rise in the third quarter of last year – but were still behind the same period in 2024. The Plastics Industry


Association’s Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) said that machinery sales were US$303 million for the quarter – 20% up on Q2 in 2025 but around 5% lower than Q3 in 2024.


Injection moulding sales


rose 30% on the previous quarter and 4% year-on-year. By comparison, sales of extrusion equipment suffered: single-screw extrud- ers fell nearly 5% from the previous quarter and 24% year-on-year; for twin-screw extruders, the respective declines were 29% and 39%.


“Although shipments continued to increase, it is obvious that both processes faced different headwinds during the quarter,” said Perc Pineda, chief economist at the association. “Sector- specific drivers were at play, causing injection moulding to rise while extrusion fell. Both equipment types were in different cycles.” While residential con- struction remained largely flat, due to high interest rates, motor vehicles and parts production rose throughout the year. However, Pineda said


rate cuts by the Federal Reserve pointed to lower borrowing costs – eventually leading to higher equip- ment demand.


On US plastics machinery IMAGE: BASF


trade, based on the latest available data, exports totalled US$113m and imports US$336m, resulting in a US$223m trade deficit. Compared to a year earlier, exports fell 1.6%, imports by 39%. The trade deficit rose by 76% in July compared to the same month last year. In the third-quarter


survey of CES members, 52% of respondents expected the market to remain steady or improve over the next 12 months – slightly below the 58% response in the previous quarter. However, the share reporting that steady or improved quoting activity rose from 76% to 81% – the second consecutive quarter of an increase. �www.plasticsindustry.org


BASF says its Ultrason P portfolio of polyphenlysulfone (PPSU) grades is not based on Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol A (BPA), so complies with EU Commission Regulation 2024/3190. The six new grades have food-contact approval and can be used in areas such as catering tableware and coffee machine components that use materials like polyethersulfone (PESU). More on high temperature plastics in our feature on page 13. � www.basf.com


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MGS buys medical moulder


MGS, a US medical contract manufacturer, has acquired Denmark-based injection moulder Knudsen Plast. Knudsen makes


injection-moulded medical devices at two plants in


Denmark and Slovakia and has more than 200 employees. MGS says the acquisition helps it support its customers in Europe, with expanded cleanroom capacity, greater injection moulding expertise and closer proximity to regional supply chains. “MGS benefits from Knudsen’s technical expertise, while Knudsen customers benefit from our vertically integrated solutions,” said Paul Manley, president and CEO of MGS. “Together, we are


better positioned to help healthcare innovators accelerate development.” Jens Kristian Pedersen, managing director of Knudsen, added: “Joining MGS is a natural next step for our team and our customers.” �www.mgsmfg.com �www.knudsenplast.dk


Forvia Hella profits rise despite flat 2025 sales


Tier One supplier Forvia Hella saw flat sales but improved profit in 2025. Sales remained flat at €8.0 billion, while operating income rose nearly 7% to €474m. “Overall, 2025 was successful for us,” said Peter Laier, CEO of Forvia


8 INJECTION WORLD | March/April 2026


Hella. “We have kept sales stable.” In Lighting – the division most


associated with injection moulding – sales fell by over 8% to €3.7bn, due mainly to the phase-out of large-vol- ume series projects. This affected sales development, especially in


China and the Americas. In addition, it experienced falling production volumes in Europe. Operating income fell 16% to €106m. Full-year sales in 2026 are expected to fall by 1-7%. � www.hella.com


www.injectionworld.com


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