Digital and Offset Breakthroughs Support Label Printers Expanding Capabilities into Broader Packaging Markets
Comexi, a world leader in printing and converting solutions for flexible packaging, is expected to make a big effect at LabelExpo Europe 2025, which will be held in Barcelona from September 16–19. The company will launch a new technology solution from booth 5G73 that pushes the limits of label printing and conversion—faster, more customized, and more environmentally friendly. Comexi is the only business in the industry that provides flexible packaging and label printing solutions in offset, flexography, and digital formats, customizing technology to meet the unique requirements of each client.
The new Comexi D4 digital press, which is intended to unleash unrestrained creativity, is at the center of this revolution. This technology reduces time to market significantly by doing away with the need for plates and allowing for real-time design adjustments, making it perfect for small batches and fully bespoke designs. Because of its versatility, label creation is redefined for brands that require distinction and immediacy.
Another key innovation is the Digiflex digital press, specializing in variable code printing for critical applications such as traceability, brand protection, and advanced personalization with QR or data matrix codes. It is a strategic tool for brands seeking smart, secure consumer engagement.
Comexi also reinforces its leadership in central drum offset printing with the Comexi CI Offset evolution—a perfect solution for multiple SKUs and short runs that combines outstanding quality with a strong environmental commitment. The technology reduces solvent use and minimizes emissions, providing a highly sustainable alternative for an increasingly demanding market.
In the field of slitting, Comexi will showcase its turret slitter rewinders S1DT and S2DT, capable of slitting reels from 30 mm and integrating with fully automated end-of-line systems. These solutions maximize productivity and meet the growing need for efficiency and precision in label converting.
F4 Origin: A New Generation of Compact Flexographic Presses
Innovation continues with the premiere of the Comexi F4 Origin, the fourth generation of an iconic model introduced in 2010. Since then, Comexi has sold over 100 units of the F4 in its previous three versions, cementing its place as one of the most successful compact presses on the market. This new version maintains the essence of its predecessors—compact format, agility, and versatility—but takes a qualitative leap in performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
Designed for flexible small-format productions, the new F4 Origin now reaches speeds of up to 400 m/min and a maximum width of 1,120 mm, thanks to a fully reinforced mechanical structure. It incorporates the GeniusRun system to eliminate bouncing, ensuring exceptional print quality even at minimum formats of 240 mm.
Additionally, the GeniusDry drying system has been optimized to work with both solvent- based and water-based inks, further supporting sustainability. This redesigned system also brings major energy efficiency improvements by minimizing temperature loss and optimizing airflow between colors to reduce circulating air volume.
In line with Comexi’s more advanced models such as the F2 Origin and F1 Evolution, the F4 Origin now integrates the control console into the machine, reducing the footprint and improving usability. The upper walkway and access points have also been completely redesigned, significantly enhancing ergonomics—making it easier for operators to access the drying tunnel, central drum, video system, and threading, while also facilitating maintenance.
This new generation is ideal not only for short-run flexible packaging but also for the label sector, whose production needs often align with flexographic technologies. Its 240 mm minimum format enables jobs to be printed without duplicating plates, and its compact size makes it a perfect choice for label printers looking to expand into flexible packaging. With this machine, it’s possible to transition from printing a label for a glass or PET bottle to formats such as recyclable monomaterial stand-up pouches, opening up new market opportunities for brands focused on sustainability and diversification.
A day of Networking and Live Demonstrations to Expand to new markets
To experience all these solutions firsthand, Comexi invites its customers to visit its Technological Center at headquarters in Girona on September 15. The company will host a special presentation of the F1 Evolution, its most advanced flexo press. Three live demos will showcase the machine’s capabilities: a solventless job printed at maximum speed with no bounce, a high-definition design using water-based inks, and a third demo with electron beam technology—highlighting how innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.
March 2026 Event to Spark Global Dialogue on Circular Innovation and Sustainable Solutions
After its grand premiere in March 2025, the planning is now underway for the next Circular Valley Convention (CVC). On March 11 and 12, 2026, the legendary Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf will again become a buzzing hub of experts and thought leaders from business, science, policy, and civil society who share a common objective: accelerating the global transformation towards a genuinely circular economy.
The CVC is already established as one of Europe’s most progressive events for the circular economy, convening the most influential stakeholders who understand that the future of sustainable development lies in reimagining the way resources are used, reused, and recovered. Riding on the success of its first year, next year’s edition will further broaden its scope and influence by highlighting the newest innovations and strengthening connections between sectors and fields.
The core idea behind the Circular Valley Convention is to bridge vision with action. It combines a high-level conference program with an interactive exhibition and curated networking opportunities that encourage meaningful dialogue, practical learning, and concrete partnerships. Attendees can expect an atmosphere where leading researchers, policymakers, corporate leaders, startups, and community pioneers come together not just to talk about circularity — but to demonstrate real-world solutions that can be implemented at scale.
During the first iteration of Circular Valley Convention 2025, attendees learned from global experts and thought leaders on stage. Visionary approaches and breakthroughs were discussed throughout all five stages of the product lifecycle and materials — from sustainable design fundamentals and regenerative material selection to digital tracing and advanced recycling technologies. Over 200 visionaries, such as Prof. Holger Hanselka (Fraunhofer), Katja Busch (DHL), Ulrike Sapiro (Henkel), and Prof. André Bardow (ETH Zurich), connected with a varied crowd of attendees via motivating keynotes, interactive panels, and detailed masterclasses on three specialized stages.
For 2026, the CVC will double up on its vision to be the world’s top international trade fair and knowledge leadership platform for the circular economy. The expo floor will expand into an even fuller marketplace for advanced circular solutions, with everything from new materials and modular product design to intelligent reverse logistics systems and fresh business models for reuse and remanufacturing. This interactive space will allow people to experience how cross-sector collaboration can speed up systemic change.
Yet another characteristic of the Circular Valley Convention is its focus on effective networking. Since a circular economy cannot be successful in silos, the event will further enable connections that cut across value chains and geography. Startups will get to interact with potential partners and investors, researchers will get a chance to meet practitioners directly, and policymakers will learn from the experience of actual pilots and market leaders.
A key strength of the CVC is its close ties to the broader Circular Valley ecosystem — an internationally recognized initiative based in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region that brings together companies, research institutions, and policymakers to pilot scalable circular economy projects. By rooting the convention within this ecosystem, the CVC ensures that insights and partnerships formed at the event can translate into practical, impactful action long after the expo halls close.
As the world races to reduce waste, conserve finite resources, and cut carbon emissions, gatherings like the Circular Valley Convention play a critical role in aligning goals, standards, and best practices across borders. The 2026 edition will place an even stronger spotlight on collaborative innovation — showcasing success stories that span industries such as packaging, textiles, construction, electronics, and mobility. Attendees will gain practical ideas for integrating circularity into product design, supply chains, business models, and consumer engagement.
Save the Date: March 11–12, 2026 at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf. Whether you’re a corporate sustainability leader, a researcher breaking new ground in materials science, a policymaker drafting circular economy frameworks, or an entrepreneur developing circular business models, the Circular Valley Convention promises to be a dynamic hub of solutions, inspiration, and connections for everyone ready to shape the circular future.
Guidance Introduced to Strengthen Trust in Mass Balance Chemical Recycling Systems
The EU Commission has released new proposals supporting the use of mass balance for chemical recycling, adopting a fuel-exempt accounting approach under the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). The Commission emphasized that “the calculation methodology will serve as a model for future recycled content rules in other sectors, such as packaging, automotives and textiles. This approach is designed to give investors’ confidence in the long-term stability and potential of these technologies.
Mass-balance acceptance is regarded as a critical facilitator for chemical recycling – most notably pyrolysis oil, since pyrolysis oil acts as a naphtha replacement in crackers. Uncertainty about regulation has witnessed demand from the chemical industry for pyrolysis oil decline during 2024 and 2025 (though from a high level) and rendered financing for new projects and infrastructure problematic.
Varying accounting principles for mass balance can significantly change possible profitability, and a lack of transparency has made it difficult to forecast returns on investment, as well as determine Europe’s relative competitiveness vis-à-vis other areas likely to follow varying mass-balance accounting principles.
The EU Commission has launched a consultation on the proposals, which also covers the calculation, verification and reporting of recycled content under the SUPD. The consultation will run until 19 August. The Commission will then conduct a review before presenting a final draft to its technical committee to vote on.
It aims to adopt the proposals under an implementing decision in Autumn 2025. Previously, the EU Commission had said that it was aiming to adopt the implementing decision in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Under the proposal, the EU will adopt “fuel-use excluded” mass-balance accounting, whereby material that is processed into fuel or process losses cannot contribute to recycled content targets. Free allocation (a method of mass balance that allows for the total allotment of recycled material to be attributed to any output) would be permissible for the remaining tonnage. This is provided that:
It is only attributed to outputs where it is possible to prove there is a feasible chemical process that could transform the input material into the chemical building blocks for each output
The attributed amount of a specific output does not exceed the share of those parts of the output that can come from the used input eligible material
The inputs, outputs, or both are chemical building blocks but not polymers.
This would also apply to dual-use material – material that can be used in both fuel and non-fuel applications – in liquid or gas form. Solid material such as char would be excluded from the calculations.
The Commission considers that “mechanical recycling technologies are in general preferable to chemical recycling technologies from an environmental point of view” and states that material that can be mechanically recyclable should not be used by chemical recyclers where it can produce recyclates with similar quality or performance characteristics. As a result, the proposals include allowances for the Commission to review the methodology and allocation rules under the decision.
For liquid inputs fed into a steam cracker, the calculation steps to determine the allocation volume of recycled material would involve defining the maximum allowable boiling point at the steam cracker (or where the eligible material is processed by different steam crackers, the weighted average of the maximum acceptable boiling points of all the individual steam crackers), measuring the evaporation between eligible input material and total input material, calculating the ratio between the two and then applying that ratio to the total input weight at the cracker. This would involve using a standard test method for boiling range distribution of petroleum fractions by gas chromatography.
For non-liquid material or processes not involving steam cracking, material would be distributed proportionally based on share of total input. For dual-use outputs, evidence would be required to prove that the material is being used in recycled plastics.
The new implementing decision and annex does not appear to give any further clarity on the use of imported material counting towards the 25% recycled content required in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles from 1 January 2025.
ICIS published an article in June following confirmation from the European Commission that only recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) produced using plastic waste in the EU can currently count towards the 25% recycled content target set out under the SUPD.
However, following publication, market participants challenged this statement from the Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment highlighting the use of the word “imported” in formulas contained in the Implementing Decision annexes, which those participants understood allowed the use of R-PET flake and food-grade pellet from third countries outside the EU to count towards the target.
Imported material is still mentioned in the draft annex and ICIS is currently seeking further clarification from the Directorate-General for Environment over the status of imported material in counting towards the 25% target.
Cross Continental Business Strategy Brings Impressive Gains in African Markets
Think Plastic Brazil, a portfolio of solutions for the plastic-converted products sector in the process of internationalizing to target markets, hosted a business mission to South Africa from June 17 to 20, 2025, bringing together 21 Brazilian companies for business meetings as part of its strategy to strengthen trade relations with the African continent. This initiative was carried out through a partnership between ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and INP (Brazilian Plastics Institute). The mission directly earned US$910,000 in revenue, with an additional US$5 million anticipated over the next 12 months.
Think Plastic Brazil at the Brazilian Embassy in South Africa Photo: Think Plastic Brazil
“The African markets occupy a strategic position in the process of geographic diversification of exports in the converted plastics sector. Currently, more than 95% of exports are concentrated in the Americas, which represents a structural risk in terms of regional dependence. In this context, Africa emerges as a promising frontier, with concrete opportunities for commercial integration due to its young population, accelerated growth, and increased demand for manufactured products. From a strategic perspective, the African continent represents, for the companies supported by the Think Plastic Brazil Portfolio, what Latin America represented in previous decades: a growing market with strong potential for medium- and long-term relationships,” explains Carlos Moreira, INP Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO.
Throughout the event, 255 business meetings were held with 251 new contacts from eight countries: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The participating Brazilian companies are from the housewares, construction, toys and childcare, and plastics industries.
During the mission, technical visits were made to Big 5 companies and retail stores in the housewares sector, where the Brazilian companies held meetings with their management. Carlos Moreira, INP Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO, and our market specialists, Daniela Ornelas and Cristina Sacramento, also accompanied the group of companies on guided tours, in stores, and at a large distributor of hardware and agribusiness supplies operating in South Africa and the sub-Saharan region.
Business round at Mission-Africa photo: Think Plastic Brazil
Finally, the team, composed of Carlos Moreira, Daniela Ornelas, and Cristina Sacramento, was welcomed at the Brazilian Embassy in South Africa by Benedicto Fonseca Filho, Brazilian Ambassador to Pretoria; Carlos Vitor Müller, Agricultural Attaché; and Bruno Leite, diplomat. During the visit, they discussed the upcoming Mission to the region in 2026, the potential of the sector as the fifth largest in the world, and the importance of investing in innovation, design, and sustainability. They also presented the Color Trend 2026, a guide to colors and trends in plastics, and the International Yearbook 2025, an updated catalog of Brazilian companies that brings together Think Plastic Brazil members in the converted plastics sector and is an excellent showcase for buyers and partners.
WEBINAR
Think Plastic Brazil will host the webinar “Eyes on Africa: What We Experienced and Learned at the Africa Trade Mission” on July 17th, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, on the Teams platform. The objective of the virtual meeting is to present the main results, lessons learned, and challenges overcome by the companies that participated in the Africa Trade Mission, to provide insights into the business potential of the African continent, market profiles, and future opportunities for Brazilian companies. It will also include an interactive session to answer questions with experts and representatives of the companies that participated in the mission.
Sustainability Leadership Emphasized in New Submission to Global Compact Initiative
With a major step toward moving closer to promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development, Molecor formally presented its yearly Communication on Progress (CoP) to the United Nations Global Compact, affirming its longstanding belief in doing business responsibly. Being a signatory to the Global Compact, Molecor is part of the global network of thousands of companies that work in alignment with the Ten Principles of the initiative, which include human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, while also supporting the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Photo Credit: Molecor
The CoP report, now presented in a revamped digital questionnaire format as part of the UN Global Compact’s enhanced reporting framework, enables companies to offer more structured and standardized data. This new format not only simplifies the process of tracking progress but also significantly improves the visibility and comparability of corporate performance across sectors and geographies. Molecor’s responses in this report provide tangible evidence of its dedication to integrating sustainability into its core operations and long-term strategic vision.
As part of the filing, Ignacio Muñoz, CEO of Molecor, released an official declaration reaffirming unconditional commitment to the UN Global Compact and recommitting to staying true to its principles. “Our membership in the UN Global Compact is not just formal—it is a guiding principle on how we do business responsibly, ethically, and sustainably,” Muñoz underscored. His message, together with the extensive CoP submission, is now publicly available on the UN Global Compact website, highlighting Molecor’s commitment to acting in absolute transparency and integrity.
As an added gesture beyond the requirements, Molecor also voluntarily made available its latest Non-Financial Information Statement (NFIS). This supplementary document provides a comprehensive account of the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. It outlines the firm’s sustainability metrics, carbon footprint management strategy, supply chain due diligence, gender equality measures, circular economy strategies, and decarbonization initiatives in the water infrastructure and plastics industries—where Molecor is a technological pioneer in manufacturing oriented PVC (PVC-O) pipes.
The NFIS adds value to the Communication on Progress by providing stakeholders, investors, regulators, and the public a comprehensive view of Molecor’s sustainability pathway. This is a responsible, proactive stance by Molecor, grounded in the belief that non-financial performance and footprint is as important—and in most cases more meaningful—than a company’s financial performance, as today’s global economy calls upon stakeholders to hold corporations accountable beyond numbers, but to demonstrated impact.
Importantly, Molecor’s practices are in-line with the European Union (EU) Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards for sustainability performance, meaning the company is reinforcing its sustainability governance while better preparing themselves to meet reflections of new regulatory expectations.
Molecor publicly declared its progress and voluntarily went beyond the statutory minimum requirements for reporting on favourable outcomes for itself. This has once again reiterated Molecor’s leadership in innovation for sustainability, specifically in respect of water management infrastructure. Its technology assists with reduces water loss and energy use across networks globally, especially in water-scarce areas, which is tackling a major pressing issue, in keeping with, among other SDGs, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 13: Climate Action objectives.
The detailed reporting of favourable outcomes reinforces Molecor’s sustainable innovation and responsibility-driven governance philosophy and confirmed it as a global authority across the circular economy of plastic-based infrastructure solutions for global water management. Given the many concurrent, intensifying environmental and social challenges we are currently facing, Molecor’s disclosures are an example of how businesses demonstrate their role in potentially managing related and existing environmental and social challenges towards a just, resilient, equitable and sustainable future.
PET Based ESD Sheet Enhances Packaging Standards for Semiconductors and Devices
The Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Plastic Sheet (PET), a specially designed solution created to meet the vital requirements of India’s quickly growing electronics and device manufacturing ecosystem, has been introduced by Cosmo Plastech, the rigid packaging division of Cosmo Films, a world leader in specialty films.
Higher quality and dependable packaging solutions are essential as India solidifies its position as a global center for electronics production, driven by initiatives like “Make in India” and rising domestic demand for semiconductors, cellphones, and other electronic components. Furthermore, the need for ESD-safe materials is expected to rise sharply as the electronic packaging industry experiences growth. Cosmo Plastech’s PET-based ESD sheet is both required and relevant in light of this ongoing development.
The newly developed ESD Plastic Sheet (PET) is designed to manage and dissipate static electricity efficiently in order to prevent damage to electronic components while they are stored, handled, and shipped. Produced keeping in mind the word class standards of quality and environment, the PET sheet is RoHS compliant, conductive, and dissipative in nature, and is antistatic. The ESD sheet also adheres to cleanroom needs through its dust-free, recyclable material, providing customers, both function and eco-friendliness in a single product.
Cosmo Plastech’s ESD sheet is ideal for IC and chip trays, cell phone and component manufacturing trays, and general-purpose material handling trays. The sheet therefore brings added protection and efficiency to the electronics industry. Not only does it safeguard electronic components and devices, but also streamlines packaging operations in ESD-sensitive environments.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Himanshu Gupta, Business Head (Rigid Packaging), Cosmo First said, “India’s electronics sector is witnessing a transformative phase, and packaging has a key role to play in protecting the heart of this revolution which is its components. With our ESD PET sheet, we are not just offering a material, we are also offering assurance, safety, and innovation to a sector that is powering India’s technological growth.”
With the packaging industry for electronics set to boom, product innovations such as Cosmo Plastech’s ESD PET sheet are going to be a key offering in protecting the functionality and quality of valuable electronic products. By leveraging unique designing capabilities and decades of sector experience, Cosmo Plastech aims to deliver immense value by facilitating the safe transportation and storage of vital components that drive the digital economy.
Cosmo Plastech’s PET-based ESD sheet further solidifies the brand’s position as a reliable and trusted partner in the rigid packaging industry, helping shape the landscape of electronics manufacturing with forward-thinking, high-performance packaging solutions.
Research Network Develops Benchmarking Methods for EV Thermal Events
In response to the growing importance of thermal management and fire protection in electromobility, AZL Aachen GmbH is launching a new Joint Partner Project entitled “Thermal Runaway Testing for Battery Casings – Benchmarking Systems for High-Gradient Heating and Hot Particle Blasting.” This initiative focuses on developing and implementing a realistic and reproducible fire testing environment for structural and functional materials used in EV battery housing systems.
Advanced Testing Infrastructure for Real-World Conditions
The project centers around the development and implementation of a new test bench that combines high- gradient flame exposure and controlled hot particle impact – mimicking the complex conditions of thermal runaway events in modern cell technologies such as LFP and NMC. This setup enables systematic benchmarking of materials under stress conditions that reflect actual applications in automotive, but also in other segments like aerospace, where efficient development of safe battery storage systems is essential. Participating companies will not only have access to the final benchmarking results but can also contribute material configurations for testing as part of the project.
Benchmarking Materials and Defining Safety Profiles
Through tailored test profiles, thermal resistance and mechanical integrity of different materials will be compared based on application-specific scenarios. Detailed test documentation, including videos and thermal data, will be provided. The resulting matrix supports materials development, qualification, and supplier evaluation, offering both strategic and technical value.
A Collaborative Approach to a Shared Challenge
Within a predecessor collaboration involving a consortium of 24 leading industry players (including automotive OEMs like Audi, BMW, Tier suppliers, and material producers), AZL ́s team of experts developed an application relevant instrumented test method that allows testing of materials at different flame temperatures and simultaneously measuring the material strength under fire load. In the project more than 50 different materials (metals, plastics, fibre reinforced, coated, compact, sandwich) were tested and benchmarked regarding their specific performance (survival at tensile load and 800, 1000, 1200 °C flame exposure; failure; areal weight; cost per area). The new Joint Partner Project builds on these results, know-how and test infrastructure implemented. It enables participants to pool resources, validate their own solutions, and gain insight into leading alternatives in the market. With more than ten years of experience managing collaborative industry projects, AZL ensures a professional and transparent execution with clear, practical outcomes.
The project will officially kick off on July 15th, 2025. At the initial meeting, partners will align on expectations, present their priorities, and help refine the testing focus. Companies interested in joining are encouraged to request detailed project information or arrange an individual consultation meeting:
Advanced Polymer Technology Empowers IVDs for Faster, More Reliable Results
The Sciforiem PL 1000 Series of functional synthetic polymers will be introduced to markets outside of Japan starting in July by Artience Co., Ltd., the holding company for the Tokyo-based chemicals manufacturing organization Artience organization. Sciforiem polymers are useful for the creation of biosensors, diagnostic tests, and other in vitro diagnostic (IVD) systems because they can be designed to mimic biological processes and are produced from non-biological raw ingredients.
Medical devices called IVDs are used to detect illnesses by analyzing biological samples, such as tissue or blood. Sciforiem PL 1000 polymers are specifically tailored for use in IVDs that detect target molecules by means of antigen-antibody reactions. These polymers can improve the overall performance of the reagent by stabilizing proteins, increasing detection sensitivity, and preventing non-specific protein adsorption when applied to the substrate material in antigen-antibody reaction detection.
Such biological functions performed by Sciforiem polymers are useful in various applications, such as blocking agents in immunoassays like ELISA and immunochromatography or as protein stabilizers in IVD assays. In biomolecule research, they act as additives in diagnostic reagents due to their ability to enhance functionality and stability.
With a century-plus heritage rooted in printing ink innovation, artience is uniquely positioned to apply its cutting-edge technologies, which have been honed over the decades, to engineer polymer products that address the stringent quality standards of today’s medical, electronics and other high-end fields. “Historically, bio raw materials were considered a biomanufacturing challenge for their inconsistent quality,” said Nozomu Hatano, General Manager of artience ‘s Biotech Business Unit in Japan. “By adopting artience ’s polymer design and dispersion technologies to address stability issues in raw materials, our engineers were able to fabricate a functional polymer for in vitro diagnostic reagents that exhibit minimal variation in quality. We expect the new Sciforiem PL 1000 Series to significantly reduce diagnostic errors and improve patient care, going forward.”
The Sciforiem Series of life science products from artience will be making its global debut at ADLM 2025 (or ADLM Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo), in Chicago, from July 27 to 31, 2025. In addition to functional synthetic polymers, artience will be featuring the Sciforiem FI Series of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probes for high-sensitivity imaging.
A Regional Platform Connecting Innovation, Sustainability, and Manufacturing Potential
When the Cambodia International Plastics, Printing & Packaging (PPP) Industry Fair opens its doors from August 6th to 9th, 2025, it will mark more than just another trade event — it will signal a renewed push for industrial modernization in one of ASEAN’s most dynamic emerging economies. Organized by Chan Chao International and Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service, in cooperation with the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and backed by Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce and the Korea Packaging Association, this second edition of CamboPlasPrintPack will gather local manufacturers, international suppliers, government officials, and industry thought leaders under one roof at Phnom Penh’s Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center. For four days, the venue will transform into a vibrant hub where business deals are struck, knowledge is exchanged, and a clearer vision for Cambodia’s industrial future comes into focus.
Cambodia’s industrial momentum has been steadily building for over a decade. Despite global headwinds and pandemic disruptions, the country’s GDP is forecast to grow by over 6% in 2025 — thanks in part to rising domestic consumption, robust foreign investment, and an ambitious push to improve logistics and infrastructure. Within this context, the plastics, printing, and packaging sectors have become vital enablers for Cambodia’s light manufacturing and export-oriented growth. As rising incomes fuel demand for consumer goods, packaged foods, electronics, and e-commerce, local businesses are under pressure to modernize their production lines and deliver cost-effective, high-quality, and increasingly sustainable packaging solutions.
For many exhibitors and visitors alike, the 2025 fair could not come at a better time. The show is expected to attract upwards of 8,000 qualified trade visitors, from brand owners and distributors to converters and machinery buyers. In addition to the main event, it will run concurrently with the Cambodia International Textile & Apparel Accessories Exhibition, creating valuable cross-industry synergies. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a vast array of solutions, from high-speed extrusion lines and blow molding machines to advanced flexographic and digital printing systems, biodegradable packaging innovations, and smart labeling technologies. Live demonstrations will help local manufacturers see these systems in action — an invaluable experience for decision-makers who still rely heavily on traditional processes.
What makes the Cambodia PPP Industry Fair especially significant is that it’s not just about selling equipment. It’s about plugging Cambodian businesses into a broader regional value chain and equipping them with the tools to compete. Over the past few years, Cambodia has stepped up its commitment to public-private partnerships (PPPs), aiming to deliver major infrastructure improvements — from the new Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville expressway to energy plants and the headline-grabbing Funan Techo Canal project. The canal alone, set to be the country’s largest infrastructure project to date, will link Phnom Penh to the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea, dramatically reducing transport costs for inland manufacturers and exporters. Such developments hold the promise of making Cambodia not only more self-sufficient but also better connected to the region’s supply chains.
However, infrastructure alone isn’t enough. To capitalize on these improvements, local manufacturers need advanced machinery and technical know-how. This is where CamboPlasPrintPack 2025 comes in. For international machinery suppliers, Cambodia remains a relatively untapped market with enormous potential. For Cambodian companies, the fair offers a chance to discover technologies that can help them reduce production costs, meet export standards, and pivot towards more sustainable business models. The push for sustainability is especially important: as ASEAN countries tighten regulations on single-use plastics and introduce circular economy initiatives, local producers are eager to learn about biodegradable materials, recycling-friendly designs, and ways to minimize waste in production.
Another key element of the fair will be the structured networking and business matching services provided by the organizers. With support from the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) and the Korea Packaging Association (KOPA), the event will host technical seminars and panel discussions where industry veterans can share insights on topics like risk management, regulatory trends, packaging design innovation, and new export opportunities. Such knowledge-sharing is vital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make up the bulk of Cambodia’s industrial base. Many still face challenges related to limited technical capacity, supply chain disruptions, and a lack of clear pathways for sustainable growth.
For exhibitors, the benefits go far beyond the event’s four days. Each company gains exposure through the official show catalog, ensuring their brands remain visible to buyers and partners well after the fair ends. This marketing boost is invaluable, given Cambodia’s highly competitive yet still-maturing industrial sector. It is precisely this blend of opportunities — real business leads, sector insights, and relationship building — that makes CamboPlasPrintPack a must-attend for stakeholders serious about tapping into Cambodia’s growth story.
All of this unfolds within a bigger regional narrative: Southeast Asia’s ongoing shift toward becoming a diversified manufacturing powerhouse. With production costs rising in traditional strongholds like China and Thailand, Cambodia’s strategic location, open trade policies, dollarized economy, and young workforce offer an attractive alternative for investors looking to hedge supply chain risks and expand capacity. Events like the Cambodia International Plastics, Printing & Packaging Industry Fair provide the platform to translate these macroeconomic advantages into tangible deals and long-term partnerships.
Ultimately, success for the 2025 edition won’t just be measured by the number of booths filled or the footfall on the exhibition floor. It will be judged by whether Cambodian manufacturers find the solutions they need to upgrade their operations, whether sustainable technologies take root, and whether meaningful connections form between local and international players. In a world where industrial competitiveness depends as much on collaboration and knowledge transfer as on machines and raw materials, CamboPlasPrintPack 2025 represents a critical bridge between ambition and action.
For Cambodia, the stakes are high — and the rewards could be transformative. By aligning infrastructure development, industrial upgrading, and regional partnerships under the PPP framework, Cambodia is laying the groundwork for a more resilient, diversified, and forward-looking manufacturing sector. And for everyone who walks through the doors of the Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center this August, the fair will offer more than a glimpse of the industry’s future. It will be a place where ideas become investments, connections become contracts, and a young industrial nation takes one more confident step onto the regional stage.
ENGEL will showcase the successful integration of technical innovation, digital intelligence, and sustainability at K 2025. The presentation at the trade show focused on industry-specific injection molding solutions that help businesses produce goods more accurately, flexibly, and efficiently. From fully integrated production cells for the automotive, medical, technical molding, and packaging industries to the application of artificial intelligence in the operating injection molding process, they will demonstrate its technologies and solutions in real-world settings. In addition to seeing the world premiere of a new electric tie-bar-less injection molding machine, visitors are welcome to visit ENGEL’s display in Düsseldorf to obtain a thorough overview of future-proof applications.
Automotive: Efficient mastery of function, lightweight design and new materials
Functionalised rear-end-lights are produced on the ENGEL duo 700 – with high precision and using clearmelt and foilmelt in a single integrated process with a compact footprint. Image source: ENGEL
Where design meets function: rear-end-light modules with clearmelt and foilmelt without hardcoating
They are demonstrating the highly integrated series production of innovative rear-end-lights on a high-performance duo 700 two-platen injection moulding machine with 7000 kN clamping force. The visible parts, measuring 600 x 240 mm, are manufactured using a combination of decorative foilmelt and functional clearmelt technologies in a vertical rotary table mould. In addition to design freedom, downstream processes are integrated into the injection moulding cell, and a separate hardcoating process is no longer required thanks to clearmelt. While the colour design from a decorative foil is applied to the component on one mould side by back-injection of thermoplastics (foilmelt), the opposite side is overflooded with polyurethane (clearmelt) to form a highly transparent and robust protective layer. A space-saving integrated automation system with a viper 40 linear robot enables short cycle times within a compact and efficient cell. The transfer foil is supplied by LEONHARD KURZ. At the partner’s stand, the component is further processed using an integrated LED function foil.
With this application, ENGEL demonstrates how visible parts in the automotive sector can be both functionalised and decorated – economically, with high precision, and in a compact production process.
Overmoulding with liquid silicone: precision seals for fuel cells
A production cell with a vertical insert 150 injection moulding machine, offering 1500 kN clamping force, demonstrates the fully automated manufacturing of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) seals on sensitive gas diffusion layers (GDL) for fuel cells. The LSR seal is applied with absolute platen parallelism directly in the machine, inspected in the mould and the component is immediately removed. The automation system, featuring ENGEL easix articulated robot and a rotary table mould supplied by ACH, ensures short cycle times and high process reliability. To save space, the control cabinet is integrated directly into the machine frame. They are showcasing a highly cost-efficient solution for fully automated overmoulding with thin LSR layers in a compact footprint.
Unveiled at K 2025: the next evolution of electric tie-bar-less injection moulding machines. Image source: ENGEL
Lightweight, strong, sustainable: bicycle handlebars with fluidmelt and organomelt
A novel bicycle handlebar is manufactured as a hollow component on a tie-bar-less ENGEL victory 180 injection moulding machine with 1800 kN clamping force. The fluidmelt process is used to create the hollow structure, while unidirectional continuous carbon fibre tapes are simultaneously integrated using the organomelt process. This innovative combination of technologies enables maximum part performance with minimal weight and a short cycle time of just one minute. The process is fully automated with an easix articulated robot. With these technologies, ENGEL once again sets new benchmarks in production efficiency and sustainability – opening up new markets for plastic components in applications traditionally dominated by metal.
Cost-efficient and ready for series production: Physically foamed B-pillar trim using MuCell
A B-pillar trim component is produced in just 50 seconds using the ENGEL foammelt technology on a t-win 6500 two-platen injection moulding machine from the WINTEC brand, part of the ENGEL Group. The foamed part, weighing 290 g, is made of mineral-filled PP from Sabic. ENGEL’s foammelt technology reduces weight and cuts material and production costs while achieving excellent surface replication. Automation is handled by a highly integrated viper 20 robot. WINTEC here demonstrates a cost-effective solution for producing visible interior automotive components.
Lightweight and robust components made from 100 % post-consumer recyclate are produced on the all-electric ENGEL e-mac 220 – with up to 50 % less scrap thanks to ENGEL iQ weight control. Image source: ENGEL
High-precision manufacturing for medical products: Cell culture plates with accelerated validation
In the Medical area, ENGEL showcases a highly efficient injection moulding cell built around an all- electric e-motion 260 combi M injection moulding machine equipped with two injection units and a central rotary platen. Using a stack mould from Hack, 24-well cell culture plates and matching polycarbonate lids are produced simultaneously in a single shot – with a cycle time of just 11 seconds. The additional injection unit is arranged at an angle to shorten the hot runner path, enable central injection without weld lines and improve material protection. This manufacturing solution, featuring a side-entry robot from Ilsemann, delivers the entire process including assembly and packaging in a compact, ergonomic setup.
A key highlight is the validation solution jointly developed by ENGEL and toolmaker Hack. This system enables structured and digital documentation of all validation phases – from Design Qualification (DQ) to Performance Qualification (PQ). Machine- and tool-integrated sensor technology, combined with products from the ENGEL iQ family and standardised documentation modules, significantly reduce the effort required. As a result, the time- and personnel-intensive validation process is substantially shortened.
Technical Moulding: Saving resources and using installation space efficiently
Precision LSR seals for fuel cells are produced on the vertical ENGEL insert 150 – fully automated overmoulding with maximum accuracy in a minimal footprint. Image source: ENGEL
World premiere – New generation of electric tie-bar-less machines / Automated overmoulding of fittings
One of the highlights at the ENGEL stand is the world premiere of the latest generation of its electric tie-bar-less victory injection moulding machines. This new model is fast, clean, and energy-efficient, and also features a completely new technical design – delivering additional advantages for users.
On the new victory electric, fittings are produced with a cycle time of just 23 seconds. The mould includes large-volume core pulls, which are optimally supported by the free access provided by the tie-bar-less design. Thanks to ENGEL tie-bar-less technology, even large moulds can be used on comparatively small machines, saving space, energy and investment.
After injection moulding, the fittings are automatically equipped with seals. The production cell is equipped with two easix articulated robots to handle this step.
Blocks made from recycled material with high structural stability
On an all-electric e-mac 220 injection moulding machine with 2,200 kN clamping force, ENGEL is producing thick-walled, foamed construction blocks for the building industry. The material comes from yellow bag household waste, reprocessed by EREMA. Mould and foaming agent formulation are supplied by Moxietec. For optimum foam homogeneity, an optimised mixing screw is used during plasticising. The result: components with up to 30 % weight reduction and 10 % higher strength. This technology is particularly well suited for logistics pallets and as a substitute for concrete in construction applications.
As 100 % post-consumer recyclate with corresponding material fluctuations is processed, the new iQ weight control plus plays a key role. After defining just two parameters, the digital assistance system automatically adjusts the switchover point and pressure curve during every injection cycle. This reduces scrap by up to 50 %.
An integrated automation solution with servo sprue picker and an integrated conveyor belt inside the machine makes the cell particularly energy-efficient and compact.
Packaging: Scalable sustainability in series production Thin-walled cups with 30 % rPET produced using a stack mould
ENGEL is demonstrating a series-ready solution for processing rPET in thin-walled packaging on an all-electric e-motion 420 injection moulding machine with 4,200 kN clamping force. What was previously only feasible using hydraulic injection, ENGEL now achieves electrically. A 6+6-cavity stack mould from Plastisud is used to produce yoghurt cups made from 70 % virgin material and 30% bottle-grade rPET. The rPET is supplied by NGR and upgraded for food contact via Liquid-State Polycondensation.
This production setup delivers excellent repeatability at high performance. The combination of injection compression moulding, iQ motion control, and iQ weight control plus enables the manufacture of thin-walled, precise cups with minimal material usage. The application already complies with the requirements of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive for 2030. Moreover, it illustrates the potential to replace thermoforming as the preferred manufacturing process, enabling producers to save on upstream steps (film production) and material (trimming waste). ENGEL thus presents a practical example of how sustainability and precision can be combined in an economically viable production environment.
On the all-electric ENGEL e-motion 420, thin-walled cups with 30 % rPET are manufactured in series production using a stack mould – compliant with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 2030. Image source: ENGEL
inject AI: Digital intelligence for real-world production benefits
Smart assistance systems with practical impact
With inject AI, ENGEL is taking its inject 4.0 programme to the next level. At K 2025, ENGEL will showcase the next step toward self-optimising machines by integrating artificial intelligence into many new and existing ENGEL products.
The iQ process observer monitors up to 1,000 parameters per shot, detects process deviations in real time, and provides AI-supported automatic correction suggestions – a key contribution to process optimisation and scrap reduction. The systems continuously learn from the data of all connected machines, creating added value for every new project – a genuine boost for quality and efficiency.
e-connect portal with AI: Digital support for every shift
In the event of machine or process faults, a new AI-supported feature in the e-connect portal provides machine-specific assistance – quickly, precisely, around the clock, and in all languages. Thanks to intelligent search functionality in the ENGEL machine manuals, downtime can be significantly reduced. The system will be available as a pilot series in time for K 2025.
Humans and AI – a team effort
ENGEL does not see AI as a replacement, but as a complement to human expertise. Adaptive assistance systems ease the burden on personnel, stabilise processes and increase equipment availability – an especially valuable benefit in times of skilled labour shortages. In this way, the self-regulating machine is gradually becoming a reality.
ENGEL – Your Partner for the Future
At K 2025, ENGEL is demonstrating how machines, automation, and digital systems can be combined into fully integrated manufacturing solutions. Each exhibit on the stand represents a production cell precisely tailored to meet specific customer requirements – and a well-considered, economically viable response to those needs. The exhibits are complemented by expert corners on topics such as plastification, technologies, temperature control, and training, where ENGEL presents customer-focused solutions.
Whether lightweight construction, the use of recyclates, validation, or process stability: ENGEL thinks in terms of solutions. The trade fair appearance encourages open, hands-on and forward- looking dialogue. Because while plastics processing may not be getting any easier, with ENGEL it remains manageable, flexible, and efficient.
F4 Origin: A New Generation of Compact Flexographic Presses
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