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Sumitomo Demag shifts some production out of Germany


German injection moulding machin- ery maker Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is shifting some production abroad and making redundancies due to an ongoing downturn in Europe. The company has cancelled


production of its Systec C machines in Schwaig, Germany – and from November/December has made the range available globally from China. It has also started a voluntary redundancy programme and expects 180 positions to be redundant by the start of 2026. Anatol Sattel, CSO at the company, said the move was due to advantages in the supply chain and


that it is more cost-effective to manufacture the range in China. Sattel says that Europe is now in the


third year of a downturn and although there is interest from customers in machinery purchases, companies are hesitating to make investments. “We cannot expect a significant upturn in the market,” he said. In addition, there has been a significant change in Germany’s formerly dominant position for sales of injection moulding machines in Europe. This dominance is “disappearing over time”, he said, but noted it was “not a sharp decline”. In


addition, he said Germany’s share as a destination for machine deliveries in Europe (for all European machine manufacturers) fell from around 30% in 2008 to 20% in 2024. After K2025, the company said it


was “reshaping its trade fair strategy” – and will not exhibit with its own stand at Fakuma 2026 and instead “channel resources into the development and launch of new technologies”. The company – the plastics machin- ery division of Sumitomo Heavy Industries – had orders of €0.55 billion and sales of €0.56bn in 2024. �www.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu


Engel brings Trexel into the fold


Engel used K2025 to announce its acquisition of US company Trexel, best known for its MuCell technology – a microcellular foaming process. Trexel, a long-standing partner of Engel, will continue to operate independently with its own sales, service and R&D. “Trexel is a pioneer in physical foaming,” said Stefan Engleder, CEO of Engel. “We are convinced that this technology holds tremendous potential. With Engel in the background, Trexel can operate independently while benefiting from the global strength of our group.” At K2025, Engleder


admitted that, despite a reported turnover of $1.4 billion in 2024/25, Engel has seen a steady decline year-on-year since the last K show in 2022 and


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Clariant expands FRs line


suggested that tariffs have led to a reluctance to invest. He also acknowledged that the industry is in an ongoing crisis and stressed the need to “act rather than react” and work more closely with customers to deliver what they require.


On a positive note, he said sales of Wintec


machines has doubled since last year. These standardised machines are “made in China based on European know-how”.


INJECTION WORLD | November/December 2025 A prevailing theme at this


year’s K show was the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). For Engel’s part, it highlighted the evolution from its Inject 4.0 suite of Industry 4.0 software and digital solutions to Inject AI. Nearly 20,000 machines worldwide are equipped with intelligent assistance systems. The Engel Virtual Assis- tant was also presented for the first time at K2025. �www.engelglobal.com


Switzerland-based Clariant says the second production line for flame retardant (FR) additives at its Daya Bay facility in China will become fully operational in November. The company has invested CHF 100m to meet growing demand for FRs in Asia and globally, particularly in the e-mobil- ity sector. The company has also launched MFI Zeolites Based on zeolite minerals, the products are designed to reduce odours and VOCs in car interiors as car makers use increasing amounts of recycled plastics. OEMs are currently evaluating MFI Zeolites, says the company. � www.clariant.com


www.injectionworld.com


IMAGE: ENGEL


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