NEWS
TactoTek gets 250th patent
TactoTek, a specialist in injection moulded struc- tural electronics (IMSE) technology, says it has received its 250th patent grant – spanning 48 patent families. Its patent portfolio covers many areas of IMSE, including design, construc- tion and production. The company’s core business model is licens- ing intellectual property to those that design and manufacture IMSE parts for OEMs and brands. “Our team is focused on
innovations that support market priorities of OEMs and brands as they embrace smart surface technologies,” said Antti Keränen, co-founder and CTO of TactoTek. �
www.tactotek.com
Engel reports sales fall for 2023 financial year
Machinery maker Engel reported a fall in sales for 2023 – though said it was ahead of a general decline in the injection moulding market. The company said sales fell 6% to €1.6 billion (US$1.7bn) for the latest financial year. “The volume in the
injection moulding machine market has fallen by up to 40%, according to various association figures,” said Stefan Engleder, CEO of Engel. “We have gained share in a shrinking market.” He said Engel’s medical
and packaging divisions made a large contribution to this. Demand for diabetes therapy products remains high, especially in America, he said, while the packaging industry is experiencing
Engleder: “Volume in the injection moulding machine market has fallen by up to 40%”
growth in Europe due to new regulations. The company’s after-sales business grew by nearly 15% compared to the previous year, he added. The company remains cautious for the forthcoming year. “The high order backlog
has so far let us get off with a black eye, but these orders are nearly exhausted,” said Engleder.
“Despite intermittent
increases in order income, we are yet to see a lasting economic recovery.” Engel says it has allocated a “substantial double-digit million figure” to expand its global network this year. It says it relies largely on independent hub structures for each region – with its Austrian headquarters setting global standards where required. This allows it to develop and produce “in the region, for the region”. “Our experience allows us to implement local solutions with local R&D and manufacturing know-how,” said Engleder. �
www.engelglobal.com
LyondellBasell and AISN auto collaboration
LyondellBasell is to help Chinese automotive supplier AISN create engine hoods using its Hifax polypropylene (PP) com- pound. The lightweight hoods will be used on the emerg- ing generation of ‘new energy vehicles’ (NEVs). The partners showcased a prototype hood – and announced the partnership – at the recent Chinaplas show in Shanghai. “We plan on further combining AISN’s expertise in automotive technology with our compound solu-
6
tions – expanding to cover more body panel areas,” said Rolf van Beeck, vice president of advanced polymer solutions at LyondellBasell Asia Pacific.
INJECTION WORLD | May/June 2024
LyondellBasell says its Hifax low linear coefficient expansion material will provide an alternative to traditional metal engine hoods, with high rigidity,
good aesthetics and reduced weight. AISN has previously developed a series of automotive products, including composite door covers, dashboard beams, front-end modules and battery packs. Xiong Liming, general manager of AISN, said: “In future, we expect to join forces with LyondellBasell to provide relevant products, starting with identifying the suitable material for the development and manufac- turing process.” �
www.lyondellbasell.com
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: LYONDELLBASELL
IMAGE: ENGEL
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
