SHOW PREVIEW | FAKUMA 2026


Right: Wittmann will make stackable planters at Fakuma, using its Cellmould foam injection


EPF will highlight its Supata smart feeder with


automated vertical warehouse, to show how intelligent quality control enhances flexible, automated production. In a live demonstration, the system will process several components in a single production flow, conduct full dimensional and surface inspections with integrated vision technol- ogy, and assign batch data automatically to ensure complete traceability. Rapid recipe changes, optional automatic gripper swaps and integration into automated production lines allow manufactur- ers to oversee growing product variety efficiently while maintaining high- quality standards, it says. “The future of plastics manufacturing requires inspection systems that are as intelligent and flexible as the production cells they support,” said Franco Filippi, chairman and CEO of EPF. “Supata enables our customers to increase efficiency while responding quickly to changing production requirements.” The two companies are planning a joint venture for Italy and Southern Europe. After signing a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2026, the companies will unite Shibaura’s global injection moulding expertise with EPF’s strengths in automa- tion and engineering to offer customers one-stop solutions for automated production cells. � www.shibaura-machine.eu � www.epf.it


Sun Chemical will show its latest innovations in engineering plastics, sustainability and advanced materials at Fakuma – including its PPS compounds for demanding applications. Its DIC range of PPS compounds is aimed at demanding applications in electrification, water management and thermal systems. One example is its Z-240 Black, which has high thermal shock, temperature and chemical resistance for bus bars, connectors, pumps and electric motor compo- nents. Its new Z-650-MV Black is a medium-CTI (200V) PPS grade that combines thermal shock resistance with electrical performance for hybrid metal-plastic applications, while the new TX-2010- HV Black is a high-CTI grade (PLC Group 0) for compact electrical designs that require shorter creepage distances in high-voltage applications. Sun Chemical will also show a range of master-


batch technologies. Its new near-infrared detect- able masterbatch is free of soot and carbon black – and improves plastic sorting and recyclability in automated recycling streams. In addition, it offers recycling solutions to help manufacturers reduce production waste, increase material recovery and support circular economy initiatives, as well as effect


36 INJECTION WORLD | September/October 2026


pigments and its Sicolen and Sicoversal sustainable granulate masterbatches that support “responsible material development and manufacturing”. � www.sunchemical.com


Wittmann will showcase a variety of technologies at Fakuma – from injection moulding machines to ancillaries – including several live displays. In one, it will combine sustainability with economic efficiency by making stackable planters. The production cell saves space, energy and material, which reduces unit costs. A 300-tonne SmartPower injection moulding machine will operate with a mould from Schicktanz and Cell- mould foam injection technology. Cellmould injects nitrogen into the cavity with the melt, creating a micro-cellular foam structure – which cuts material use. The material processed will be a recycled polypropylene from Borouge. This means the planters have a lower CO2


footprint.


With testing, Wittmann showed that recycled plastics can be processed with Cellmould as efficiently and stably as virgin material. Production of the planters proves the precision and dimen- sional stability in processing recycled PP, it says. The high forming accuracy is important, to ensure that the planters can be stacked safely. Any geometric deviation would quickly cause rejects. As the nitrogen distributes itself inside the cavity explosively, even geometrically demanding moulds with small wall thickness areas and undercuts are filled reliably using Cellmould. Wittmann has developed a special plasticising unit for physical foaming. The patented Cellmould three-zone screw is produced in-house for all applications. It is suitable for a range of plastic materials and yields reproducible parts quality


www.injectionworld.com


IMAGE: WITTMANN


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