Peter von Hoffman, General Manager Business Unit Compounding Machines Engineering Plastics and Special Applications at Coperion, discusses the company's role in the plastics industry and its presence at the upcoming Plastics Recycling World Expo.

Can you provide a brief overview of your company and the products/services you'll be showcasing at the event?

Coperion is a global industry and technology leader in compounding and extrusion systems, size reduction, separation, and washing systems, feeding, weighing, material handling and pneumatic conveying systems, as well as milling, mixing, thermal processing, dust collection and other services.

At this year’s AMI Plastics World Expos we will be showing our comprehensive process and technology know-how for various compounding and plastics recycling applications together with Herbold Meckesheim, a Coperion company.

What recent trends or developments in the industry are you most excited about, and how do your products/services align with them?

The conscious use of plastics of all kinds will continue to gain in importance in the future. It is undeniable that the use of plastic will be questioned even more. At the same time, it is impossible to imagine many pioneering applications without plastics, such as bioreactors, implants in medicine or battery storage systems.

We at Coperion see great opportunities in all of these trends. With our high-performance technologies for plastics production, plastics processing and plastics recycling, we offer innovative solutions to meet these challenges in a resource-saving and energy-efficient manner.

Could you share a success story or case study demonstrating how your products/services have benefited a customer?

For Indian preform and plastic packaging manufacturer Magpet Polymer Pvt Ltd, Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim are collaborating technologies in construction of an entire plant for bottle-to-bottle recycling from a single source.

Magpet awarded the contract for the entire system to Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim as we have optimally coordinated our technologies and realized efficient plastic recycling solutions that consistently and reliably deliver high PET recyclate quality.

“Magpet has always pursued the goal to be a first mover when it comes to embracing new technology,” said Devendra Surana, Managing Director of Magpet, a part of Magnum Group. “This PET recycling unit is a big step in that direction. And it goes hand in hand with our efforts to take over business responsibly for a bigger eco purpose. We are excited to partner with Herbold and Coperion to set up this state-of-the-art PET bottle recycling line in India.”

Will you be conducting any demonstrations or interactive activities at the event? If so, what can attendees expect?

At this year’s AMI Plastics World Expos we will be presenting our expertise in plastics compounding, manufacturing and recycling by means of a 3D simulation. Visitors to our booth will be able to experience our expertise in the development of complete systems. At the same time, the individual key components and how they work can be viewed in detail.

What are your company's goals for the future, and how do you see yourselves contributing to the evolving industry landscape?

We at Coperion see opportunities in all current market challenges. With our high-performance technologies and process solutions for plastics processing, production, and recycling, we are very well positioned to serve the market with resource-saving and energy-efficient solutions.

There is still a lot of potential in the efficient operation of compounding systems to save energy costs or increase productivity. We have driven forward many developments in this area. For example, our C-BEYOND digital solutions achieve a higher degree of automation in the operation of compounding plants.

We still need to establish processes and technologies for many types of plastics that make their recycling economical. We have already done a huge step in this direction. I would like to mention Coperion’s ZS-B MEGAfeed side feeder and the ZSK FilCo filtration compounder here. With our continuous research and development work, I am sure that we will continue to drive forward the efficient recycling of plastics.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s show?

AMI Plastics World Expos Europe thrives on numerous interesting discussions and personal exchanges with visitors, experts and industry insiders. It offers an excellent environment for analysing current challenges and presenting our innovative technologies and developments for compounding and recycling plastics.

Coperion will be exhibiting at the Plastics Recycling World Expo. Find them at stand R430.