Extrusion International USA 2-2021

9 Extrusion International 2/2021 P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG www.Fakuma-Messe.de www.fakuma-messe.de/fakuma-virtuell/ „ In addition to the digital transformation, shifting from a linear to a circular economy is also a key issue for the plastics processing industry. And this is why the 27th Fakuma inter- national trade fair for plastics processing, which will be held in Friedrichshafen from 12 to 16 October 2021, is generating special interest. Germanplastics processors are inpolepositionbecause they’re facing up to the challenges resulting from change at various levels. And thus Fakuma will be an exceptional trade fair ex- perience with forward-looking issues and sustainable solu- tions. The digital transformation is pressing ahead at full bore – thanks to increasing digitalisation and automation, compa- nies are optimising processes, increasing equipment availabil- ity and improving productivity, all of which ultimately secures future viability. The shift from a linear to a circular economy is also highly challenge and by nomeans trivial: plastics recycling is not just a buzzword – on the contrary, it’s generating op- portunities andmarkets worldwide. Key issues for plastics pro- cessors include the recyclability of their own products on the one hand, as well as the use of recycledmaterials on the other. Performance, quality and hygiene requirements must be ful- filled in equal measure in this regard. At the same time, the industry is struggling in many areas with a lopsided, negative image. Julia Große-Wilde, Managing Director of the German Association of Plastics Converters (GKV) clarifies: “We can’t do without plastics if we want to achieve our climate goals – on the contrary, they’re important to this end!” The primary reason for the negative image is worldwide dis- charge of waste into the environment. As the voice of the in- dustry and its intermediary, the GKV is thus increasingly engaging in dialogue and edu- cation, because as Julia Große-Wilde points out, there can be no doubt that plastics also have ecological advantages: “The compa- nies themselves have a vested interest in making their products fit for the future. Minimising and recycling production waste don’t just make good ecological sense, they’re economically meaningful objectives as well. Furthermore, the end of the re- spective product’s service life is being taken into consideration to an ever greater extent during the product design phase,” explains the managing director of the GKV. She observes that the protective function of packaging is rarely perceived or appreciated. “Packaging contributes a great deal to making consumption more sustainable. Spoiled food which ends up in the bin instead of on our dinner plates is more harmful to the climate than the production of the required packaging. In fact, however, we need to ensure that plastics play a more significant role within the flow of materials by means of de- sign for recycling, consistent collection and sorting, as well as continuous further development where recycling and the use of recyclates are concerned. This is the great challenge for our industry, as well as for our society.” Up through opening day for the on-site event in October, Fakuma-Virtual can be taken advantage of as a useful tool for exchanging technical ideas and experience. Fakuma 2021 – Future Issues „ Which renewable materials are solutions that meet the needs of future societies? As a response to this challenging question, nova-Institute has decided to unite all relevant in- dustries in this new conference, May 18–20, 2021, featuring a unique concept to present all renewable material solutions at one event: bio-based, CO 2 -based and recycled. There is a growing market demand for advanced and ready-to-use renewable material solutions with a low carbon footprint – that are fossil-free. For the first time, nova-Institute jointly presents all renewable material solutions: bio-based, CO 2 -based and recycled. High- lights and innovations of bio- and CO 2 - based chemicals and materials, and of chemical recycling will be presented. Or in other words: All material solutions based on renewable carbon – avoiding the use of additional fossil carbon. The conference will be held as an online event, which offers unique networking possibilities to the participants with the help of an innovative conference software from Finland. For the first time, the innovation award “Renewable Mate- rial of the Year” will be awarded to the most exciting new materials made from renewable carbon. The nominees will present their innovation in a 10-minute presentation to the audience on the second day of the Re- newable Materials Conference (19 May 2021). The audience will vote online for the three winners. The innovation award is sponsored by Covestro (DE). „Renewable Materials Conference 2021“ nova-Institut GmbH www.nova-institut.eu www.renewable-materials.eu