PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

Trash becomes resin; thermoforming PET caps; state of the plastics treaty: Machinery Minutes

UBQ Materials has developed a process to turn organic waste into biobased composite materials. Think banana peels, dirty diapers, chicken bones, greasy pizza boxes or even unrecyclable plastic. Now they want to build a U.S. plant.
A new thermoforming technology from Origin Materials can produce PET and recycled PET caps at a speed that’s competitive with other processes.  
Talks on a global treaty to end plastic pollution drag on. If there's no meaningful resolution, the plastics industry itself could be the biggest loser. 

Is the 3D printing market slowing down? Commentary

A new market study says that high interest rates are causing processors to delay buying 3D printing equipment. Some resin makers and equipment manufacturers have exited the business. 
But there are big-name OEMs, such as the BMW Group, pushing ahead with groundbreaking new projects. It appears automation may be important to the future of 3D printing, Editor Ron Shinn reports in this PMM Insight commentary. 

Equipment sales slump; biopolymers on the rise; a rockin' career: Machinery Minutes

Plastics machinery sales are down — again. On this episode of Machinery Minutes, hear more about the latest figures from PLASTICS' Committee on Equipment Statistics and the outlook for the rest of the year. 
Bioresins are growing in popularity as companies emphasize sustainability, but they pose processing challenges. Hear how extrusion and blow molding equipment makers are adapting. 
Artie Riegger, who is 40 years into a career in KraussMaffei's extrusion business, has another talent: he was a drummer in a rock and roll band for 55 years. He told us about his dual careers for this month's "In Other Words" interview.

Engel in Mexico, Husky's new acquisition, expansion at PRI: Machinery Minutes

In this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast, you'll hear about the new production facility Engel has opened in Mexico, aimed at providing faster delivery times and increased availability of injection molding machines in the Americas.   
Also, Husky Technologies has acquired secondary injection unit and rotary platen technologies from MGS Healthcare Manufacturing to complement its multi-material and multicolor solutions. And Plastics Recycling Inc. has invested $10 million in two state-of-the-art extruder systems and lab equipment at its Indianapolis headquarters plant. 

Building a data-savvy workforce for the future: PMM Insight

Manufacturing jobs are evolving, and your hiring practices need to change as well if you want to be prepared for the future. 
Modern equipment generates rivers of data that, used and interpreted properly, can make your processes more efficient, reliable and profitable. But you need workers who know how to put that data to work.
In this episode, PMM senior reporter Karen Hanna and editor Ron Shinn discuss her stories detailing the kinds of skills you should be looking for and how to get those data-savvy employees onto your shop floor.

Unemployment spikes, new Haitian IMMs, modernizing your plastics business: Machinery Minutes

On today's episode of Machinery Minutes, learn about a spike in the unemployment rate in plastics and rubber, its highest since the pandemic. It's a sudden reversal as not long ago, companies were complaining about a tight labor market.  
Also, Absolute Haitian has introduced new, lower-cost versions of its Mars and Jupiter injection molding machines known as the SE (Special Edition) models; and we share factors to consider if you want to be a world-class plastics manufacturer.

KraussMaffei's U.S.-built extruders; Conair startup service; 'swimming professor': Machinery Minutes, March 3, 2025

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, you'll hear about the two large extruders KraussMaffei is building at its facility in Florence, Ky. The move is intended to reduce lead times in the growing North American market, and enhance regional customer support and access to parts.
Conair's new SureLaunch program sends a technician to your facility for a day to make sure your new auxiliary equipment is started up and optimized for maximum performance. It's the company's third service offering as customers deal with workforce issues and more complex technologies.
Chemistry professor Andreas Fath has been drawing attention to the issue of microplastics and other waterway pollutants through marathon swims, supported by Arburg. Hear more about the "Swimming Professor" and his cause.

Data-savvy workers, automation safety, LSR dosing system: Machinery Minutes, Feb. 24, 2025

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, we focus on our deep dive on the future of your workforce. The need for tech skills to take advantage of increasingly complex equipment is creating new job opportunities, and companies that hope to land these data-savvy workers will need to offer the right mix of pay and perks. 
The Association for Advancing Automation (known as A3) has published updated ISO 10218 standards, the global flagship standard for industrial robot safety, with extensive revisions for a fast-changing field.
You'll also learn about the Elmet Top 3100 dosing system for LSR, the successor to the Top 3000.

Plan for the future of your plastics operation: PMM Insight

PMM Editor Ron Shinn has visited a lot of plastics processors. In this podcast episode, he shares thoughts on what the best plants are doing to prepare for the future of manufacturing, and steps you can take to ensure you have the right equipment and the workers to run it. 

Plastic scrap sourcing, automation sales slump, Wilmington Machinery sold: Machinery Minutes, Feb. 17, 2024

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, you'll hear about U.S. plastics processors and recyclers searching for domestic suppliers of plastic scrap as they face the prospect of significant tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico. 
In other news, sales of automation equipment are in a slump, with few signs that things are going to pick up this year. The Association for Advancing Automation (known as A3) recently released sales figures for 2023. 
And a private investor has purchased Wilmington Machinery, and founder Russ LaBelle has stepped away. The blow molding and injection molding machinery maker pledged to continue honoring contracts with customers, and hopes to double its workforce this year.