PROCESSING | PACKAGING
Right: KHS and Husky have teamed up to create “one of the world’s lightest PET bottles”
hold 591ml of product – equivalent to a 20-ounce bottle in the US. It originally launched its ‘Factor 100’ concept as a feasibility study in 2017, with a PET bottle weighing around 5g holding 500ml. Following several optimisations, it has now arrived at Factor 101. To achieve a high ‘top load’ threshold, the container shape had to be adapted – as did the preform. “The preform design needed to be developed
further,” said Fabian Osterhold, a packaging designer at KHS. “This is why we joined forces with the Husky.” The stretching factors from blank to bottle – and
the resulting preform dimensions – were vital. The relation of length to wall thickness is especially relevant to injection moulding. In this case, KHS addressed the specifications and feasibilities of the stretch blow moulder and bottle design, while Husky made modifications to the preform. “The focus was on the exact profiling of the
preform made possible by KHS technology,” said Osterhold. Compared to the standard lightweight PET container that holds 500ml of still water – which usually weighs 7g on the US market – the KHS/ Husky product requires 30% less material. It can also be made entirely from rPET. Factor 101 was first presented by Husky at NPE 2024 last year. “The prime target markets are the US, the Middle East and South America – and the first projects are already in preparation,” he said.
Below: Stork IMM’s new line all-electric injection moulding machines are for the packaging market
Sustainable boost Stork IMM has developed a new all-electric line of injection moulding machines for the packaging market – which it claims delivers greater sustain- ability. The machines – which will be seen at K2025 – boast lower energy consumption, a new rack-and- pinion drive system and customised process tailoring for applications in thin-wall food packag- ing and industrial paint pails and buckets.
“This machine extension satisfies growing customer demand for high-performance injection moulding machines that meet sustainability goals for the packaging market,” said Gert Boers, CEO of Stork IMM. The new series pairs clamping units of 250-700 tonnes with a range of injection units – with screw sizes from 45 to 84mm. It claims to achieve 15% greater energy savings compared to similar hybrid machines and work at speeds suitable for thin-wall packaging applications. The new rack-and-pinion drive is very rigid, energy efficient and provides reduced wear and longer life. It provides higher speed forces for the clamp and injection units compared to ball bearing and spindle drives, says the company. There is also a system that feeds recovered energy back into the customer’s energy grid. Key applications include closures, tubs, contain- ers, cups, paint pails and buckets.
All-electric options Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will showcase eight all-electric machines at K2025, featuring options from the IntElect and Pac-E platforms. This includes the launch an all-electric 2K multi-component IntElect 350-tonne machine combined with a Sam-C20 robot. The R-position offers a standard option for 220-500-tonne IntElect machines, with an adjustable nozzle distance providing added flexibility. At K2025, the Sam-C5 will be presented as a standalone robot, to emphasise its key features. “It is designed to match the six second cycle
times of a standard IntElect machine with a focus on compact construction,” said Jürgen Schulze, automation business development director at the company.
14 INJECTION WORLD | September 2025
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: JÖRG SCHWALFENBERG
IMAGE: STORK
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