Futuristic, resource-conserving solutions made from plastic

From salad container to vehicle component: Sound generator holder made from PCR by Pöppelmann K-TECH® (Image: Pöppelmann)

Excellent resource conservation: Numerous protective caps and plugs made from PCR by Pöppelmann KAPSTO® bear the Blue Angel environmental label. (Image: Pöppelmann)

Einstoff packaging for better recyclability: Technical functional parts from Pöppelmann FAMAC®, e.g., heat-seal nozzles, are made from mono-materials. (Image: Pöppelmann)

Plastic specialist Pöppelmann from Lohne is represented at Fakuma, the International Trade Fair for Plastics Processing, from October 12 to 16, 2021, at the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Center, with the divisions Pöppelmann K-TECH®, Pöppelmann KAPSTO®, and Pöppelmann FAMAC®. The company's exhibition program focuses on a key theme of the event – forward-looking industry solutions around climate neutrality, sustainability, and recycling cycles.

Pöppelmann K-TECH®: Vehicle component made from PCR

The Pöppelmann K-TECH® division stands for highly complex technical plastic components used in demanding fields such as the automotive industry. To become part of a CO2-neutral supply chain, product development follows eco-design standards. This considers environmental aspects throughout the entire lifecycle of a product. For example, Pöppelmann K-TECH® employs innovative manufacturing processes for lightweight parts and has been using recycled materials for over 25 years, such as in vehicle components like covers or battery technology housings. These fully meet the high technical requirements of customers. At Fakuma, Pöppelmann K-TECH® will showcase, among other things, a holder for a sound generator produced for a renowned vehicle manufacturer: The technical plastic component is made from a plastic granulate derived from used plastic packaging collected from household recycling. This was processed into PP GF30, whose material properties convinced in laboratory tests. In 2020, the PCR plastic sound generator holder went into series production.

Pöppelmann KAPSTO®: Blue Angel for plastic protective elements

The Pöppelmann KAPSTO® division, which manufactures plastic caps and plugs to protect sensitive components in industry, also commits to resource conservation with its portfolio: numerous standard series are now available in PCR materials and are recyclable after use to close the material cycle. More and more products from Pöppelmann KAPSTO® are awarded the Blue Angel environmental label. Examples include caps and plugs made from PCR polyethylene (PCR-PE) and PCR polypropylene (PCR-PP). New in the program are standard series for high-voltage applications in the automotive segment: the connector caps and connector covers are also available in PCR-PP and PCR-PE. Since spring 2021, around 100 new products from six different standard series have complemented the resource-saving catalog and impress with proven KAPSTO® product qualities. Additionally, users can choose from a broad product portfolio of thermoformed caps and plugs as well as thermoform trays (plastic packaging tailored to the product contours for optimal handling and maximum protection of sensitive components, e.g., in electronics, sensor technology, or automotive). The process used to produce especially thin-walled, large-format items stands for material reduction and resource savings in logistics and transportation.

Pöppelmann FAMAC®: Mono-materials for optimized recycling

This knowledge also guides Pöppelmann FAMAC®, a specialist in packaging and technical functional parts for the food, pharmaceutical, and medical technology sectors, where resource conservation is a key focus of the exhibition program. The development of sustainable packaging follows the 3-R concept, which encompasses the words “Reduce,” “Reuse,” and “Recycle.” The concept involves reducing the use of plastics in new packaging designs, aiming for reuse of products, or achieving the best possible recyclability. In the food, pharmaceutical, and medical technology sectors, where due to legal requirements and customer demands only secondary raw materials can currently be used for certain products, the packaging specialist develops innovative solutions from mono-materials that stand for improved recyclability.