- Successful event: 300 visitors from 44 countries met to present new solutions and exchange ideas with experts
- Focus on pipes & profiles, recycling and circular economy
- World premiere for new PVC multilayer pipe head and new machine concept for upcycling post-consumer plastic waste
- Keynote speeches and live demonstrations in the state-of-the-art Technology Center
Circular economy, smart recycling and future-oriented solutions for pipe and profile extrusion – the extrusion industry was inspired at the KraussMaffei TecDays “World of Extrusion” in Laatzen. Around 300 visitors from 44 countries took part in the event from March 25 to 27. As a strong solution partner and pioneer in plastics technology, KraussMaffei Extrusion presented sustainable and cost-effective solutions to the most pressing issues facing the plastics industry. The TecDays were accompanied by top-class keynote speeches from partners from industry and research as well as live demonstrations in the state-of-the-art Technology Center.
Focus on sustainability
In his welcoming speech, Dr. Thomas Unger, Vice President of Technology, KraussMaffei Extrusion, emphasized the shared responsibility for a sustainable future: “Our goal is to reduce the CO₂ footprint with our solutions. Sustainability in extrusion is driven by innovation. And that is exactly what you will experience over the next three days here in our Technology Center.” Ralf Benack, Managing Director at KraussMaffei Extrusion, emphasized the importance of personal dialogue: “The extrusion business is an expert business. We need to come together and share knowledge. All the more reason for us to look forward to exchanging our experiences with you here over the next few days.”
Pipe & Profile – the lifeline of civilization
The first part of the three-day event was dedicated to pipe and profile extrusion. In his welcoming address, Ralf J. Dahl, Director Global Sales, described them as the “lifeline of civilization” – after all, numerous pipe systems ensure the safe transport of drinking water and thus make daily life possible in the first place. Top-class keynote speeches by experts from KraussMaffei Extrusion and partners such as Borealis, Baerlocher, Omya, Plastics Europe and Georg Fischer provided exciting insights into future trends and the global challenges facing the extrusion industry. Kabelwerk Eupen presented a vision of the factory of the future with the concept of “Smart Factories”, characterized by digitalization and automation.
One highlight was the world premiere of the new PVC multilayer pipe head, which demonstrated the production of three-layer pipes made from virgin material and a foamed core in a live demo. The innovative distribution system prevents spider lines and thus potential predetermined breaking points. Thanks to its material flexibility, including the processing of recyclate, the new pipe head contributes to greater sustainability. Visitors were also able to experience the production of PE-PA pipes and PVC pelletizing in live demos.
Recycling and circular economy – from post-consumer plastic waste to high-quality compounds
The second part of TecDays was all about recycling and the circular economy. A particular highlight was the premiere of the new machine concept for the controlled upcycling of post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality automotive compounds. The innovative ColorAdjust system ensured precise, reproducible colors. Visitors were also impressed by the live demonstration of energy-efficient and scalable production of food-safe rPET pellets.
In addition to the live demonstrations, the TecDays offered comprehensive insights into the various recycling processes. Mechanical, solvent-based and chemical processes were presented, as well as the latest developments in the field of the circular economy. Expert presentations from industry partners such as PureCycle Technology, Veolia, Lober, Polymetrix and Exxon Mobil as well as from Plastics Europe and leading research institutes such as IKV Aachen and IKK Hannover provided valuable insights into current developments and trends. The program was complemented by forward-looking technologies such as the use of artificial intelligence in compound development, smart sensor technology for in-line quality monitoring and solutions for cable compounds in an electrified future.
Evening event: 100 years of cooperation with Kabelwerk Eupen
A special highlight of the evening event was the ceremonial presentation of an unusual gift to long-standing customer Kabelwerk Eupen AG. While looking through the company archives, KraussMaffei Extrusion employees had discovered an accounts receivable ledger more than 100 years old with a handwritten note from Kabelwerk Eupen. Ralf Benack, Managing Director at KraussMaffei Extrusion, and Klaus Lorius, Head of Sales Pipe & Profile, presented a printed collage of this historical document to Michael Goebels, Plant Manager Pipe Division, and Patrick Ernst, Head of Department Production Pipe at Kabelwerk Eupen.
Positive response to TecDays 2025
KraussMaffei Extrusion’s TecDays 2025 provided participants with an ideal platform for exchanging ideas about innovations and sustainable solutions in the field of extrusion. The successful mix of specialist presentations, live demonstrations and networking made the event a complete success. “We are very satisfied with the three days. The response and feedback from visitors was overwhelming,” sums up Dr. Thomas Unger. KraussMaffei Extrusion is planning further TecDays in this successful format in the future.
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