Husky’s Future Looks Bright with Balaji Suresh as COO

Husky Technologies, a global leader in injection molding technology and solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Balaji Suresh to Chief Operations Officer (COO). With over two decades of experience in global manufacturing, supply chain, and operational leadership, Balaji brings a wealth of expertise to Husky at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth journey.

Balaji joins Husky from L3Harris Technologies, where he served as Vice President of Global Supply Chain, leading enterprise-wide operations and supply chain initiatives. His career is marked by a strong commitment to operational excellence, digital transformation, and strategic growth. He has successfully implemented lean transformations, optimized complex supply chains, and driven customer-focused solutions in dynamic industrial environments.

“Balaji embodies the core values that define Husky’s relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Bradley Selleck, Husky’s CEO. “His deep expertise in digital manufacturing innovation, coupled with his ability to build and inspire high-performance teams, makes him the ideal leader to elevate our operations and accelerate our ambitious growth trajectory. His passion for technology-driven transformation and commitment to delivering superior customer value align seamlessly with Husky’s strategic vision.”

As COO, Balaji will oversee Husky’s global manufacturing and supply chain operations, ensuring seamless integration of cutting-edge digital solutions and lean manufacturing principles to enhance efficiency and customer experience. His leadership will play a crucial role in strengthening Husky’s operational resilience and reinforcing its industry leadership in precision engineering and sustainable manufacturing solutions.

“I am thrilled and honored to join Husky at such an exciting time,” said Balaji Suresh. “Husky’s reputation for excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity is unparalleled, and I look forward to working with this incredible team to deliver on our commitments through operational excellence, technology, and innovation.”

Husky remains committed to advancing the industry with innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability, efficiency, and precision. The addition of Balaji to the leadership team underscores the company’s ongoing investment in top-tier talent and its mission to shape the future of manufacturing.

https://www.husky.co/en/

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3D People Helps Zeal Lifestyle Create Next-Gen Mobility Aids

Zeal Lifestyle is a sustainable lifestyle company, based in Surrey, UK; with a specific focus on stylish and highly functional and adaptable mobility aids for supported living.

The Zeal journey began when its two founders — Georgia Williams and Joshua King — independently looked into purchasing a walker for family members. Before that, though, both Georgia and Josh studied industrial design at Brunel University in London. Georgia going on to work for renowned fashion brand Dior for a number of years, while Josh garnered experience working as an industrial designer for Seymour Powell and Factory Design.

During the Covid pandemic lockdowns, Georgia’s Great Aunt, at 86 years old, needed a walker to use both indoors and outdoors to support her mobility. Despite Georgia searching for hours and hours, she could not find a stylish walker that suited her Great aunt’s stylish tastes and personality. Resistance to using mobility aids is a common obstacle for family members both in terms of denial that it is needed, but also the resentment of having to purchase a device that often looks and feels limited and unappealing.

This is what inspired Zeal Lifestyle, Georgia and Josh decided to take this matter into their own hands and design a walker putting the end user first. At the end of last year, Zeal opened for pre-orders having earned global recognition and awards for its user-centred design, including the Unlocking Potential Award by Innovate UK. The full and official launch, which will include delivery of pre-orders and opening up for direct retail options to purchase, is scheduled for Summer 2025.

The Zeal walker is coming to market following four years of collaboration with users and a comprehensive product development process, that is completely in line with what would be expected for a Class 1 medical device that has to adhere to specific ISO standards.

Zeal’s mission is to remove the stigma of walkers and mobility aids, and provide a product that users are proud to be seen with. The emotions involved in accepting the need for and purchasing a mobility aid should not be underestimated. A walker that offers elegant style and comfort, as well as being lightweight and easy to handle goes a long way towards overcoming any emotional resistance. This is the ethos behind Zeal and it shows.

However, bringing that ethos into the real world is neither quick nor easy. The product development process, by necessity for a class 1 medical device, is exacting and challenging.

Safety and efficiency of the device are vital, while incorporating the essence of Zeal’s style and comfort. In addition, sustainability has also been a very important element of Zeal’s development and as a result of that commitment, the Zeal walker has been fully designed for disassembly.

For the prototyping of Zeal’s plastic parts, the Zeal team worked with 3D People. The development of the Zeal mobility aid was complex and required numerous series of functional prototypes during the iterative process that had to meet demanding requirements. The first fully functional Zeal walker prototype was made with 3D printed parts for testing size and human interactions. Utilising the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and MultiJet Fusion (MJF) processes offered by 3D People, along with their finishing options ensured Zeal received the high-quality parts they required reliably and fast. According to Josh: “Over the past year, we’ve ordered around 500 parts in SLS and MJF for various prototypes and design iterations. The MJF process is great for parts that need to be smooth and after post-processing, it’s hard to tell them apart from injection-moulded parts. SLS works better for visual parts since the off-white finish is more aesthetically pleasing than MJF’s dark grey. We switch between the two different processes depending on the stage of design. Costs are also important, of course, and these can also vary based on part size and process used, so that’s something we factor in too, but it’s an easy thing.”

It’s hard to overstate how important quality is for functional prototypes that have to go through stringent testing. Josh continued: “The quality of the parts from 3D People has been consistently excellent. Everything we’ve received has been accurate, and there’s been very little need for extra finishing before testing. Any issues we have had were sorted quickly by the team, which has made the whole process much easier.”

When finishing of parts was required, 3D People offer multiple options including dedicated vapour smoothing, vibro-polishing and dyeing. The company also stands out for its creative approach to finishing and working with clients to get the finish they want. For the Zeal, Josh found the vapour smoothing option invaluable for a number of parts and for different reasons. He said: “Vapour smoothing gives the parts a polished look and makes them feel nicer. It also saves us from having to do extra finishing work later, which has been a big time-saver. Vapour smoothing can also give a more waterproof finish which is easy to wipe clean which was really useful for us because unfinished parts get dirty really quickly and easily, which is not ideal when undertaking multiple user tests.”

Pre-orders for the Zeal walker have exceeded expectations, according to Georgia and the company is working hard to fulfil them all ahead of the summer launch.

www.3dpeople.uk

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Re/Cycle Spouted Pouch: Lightweight, Durable, and Sustainable

• Mondi collaborated with Sherwin-Williams to introduce re/cycle SpoutedPouch for paint concentrate.
• Mondi created a wider spout so Sherwin-Williams can easily fill the pouch, and end users can conveniently pour the concentrate.
• The durable pouch is a replacement for traditional plastic tubs, reducing plastic consumption by 90% vs a 5L bucket.

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, collaborated with Sherwin-Williams, a global leader in paints and coatings, to introduce re/cycle SpoutedPouch as a refill option for its concentrated paint, sold on the UK market. Leveraging the expertise in its Halle/Steinfeld plant in Germany, Mondi introduced a wider spout for easier filling and pouring, while ensuring the mono-material pouch is designed to protect its contents.

The paint concentrate was developed to replace the traditional 5-litre pre-mixed paint in rigid plastic tubs. Consumers are encouraged to reuse these tubs to mix the paint concentrate and then recycle the refill’s packaging. It comes in a lightweight 950ml spouted pouch with instructions for mixing clearly printed on the side. The spout offers excellent pourability to make it easy to mix with water and create the needed amount of paint. The pouch can be tightly closed after usage, preserving any unused concentrate.

Mondi worked closely with Sherwin-Williams to deliver a solution tailored to their specific packaging needs. re/cycle Spouted Pouch is a pre-made pouch made from polyethylene mono-material and has a wider spout making it easier for Sherwin-Williams to fill the paint concentrate. Mondi’s SpoutedPouch reduces packaging waste and provides ease of use to outdoor painting projects, along with minimising the space needed to transport and store paint.

The condensed size compared to regular 5-litre pre-mixed paint tins means 230% more units can fit on each pallet, resulting in increased efficiency within the supply chain. The pouches also take up less space on retail shelves and come packaged in shelf-ready tear-front boxes of five units, allowing easier stock replenishment compared to traditional tins.

“It’s more convenient for consumers to carry home and the leftovers are easily stored. It will also increase transport efficiency thanks to the reduced weight and size of the packaging.

By selling concentrate in spouted pouches rather than premixed fence stain in rigid tubs, we’ve reduced plastic usage by up to 90%*,” enthused Christina Rowe, Head of Product Marketing at Sherwin-Williams.

“Our newly introduced solution has big potential for industrial applications, and we leverage our integrated value chain for pouch production, from the film extrusion to lamination to the spout insertion. We were careful to ensure high-quality printing, so the branding stands out on the shelf, and the mixing instructions are clear and easily readable,” explained Gary Knight, Regional Sales at Mondi.

Ronseal concentrated fence stain in a pouch is now available online, at DIY markets and through retailers across the UK. Mondi is continuously working on innovative and sustainable solutions for various industries and end-markets that help their customers to achieve their sustainability goals, such as developing a paint packaging that is sustainable by design.

www.mondigroup.com

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High Costs, Low Prices Force Polyethylene Plant Closures in SE Asia

A recent wave of plant shutdowns among polyethylene (PE) producers across southeast Asia has been seen by some as a reflection of how dire the situation in the market is.

At the same time, many also believe such actions are needed to rebalance a market plagued by oversupply.

• Over 2 million tonnes of capacity shut in recent months
• Most shutdowns due to commercial reasons
• No panic buying yet seen in the market

Over the last six months in southeast Asia, over 1 million tonnes of linear low-density PE (LLDPE) and over 1.3 million tonnes of high density PE (HDPE) nameplate capacity have been taken offline.

This was mostly due to plant operators trying to stem the wave of losses incurred by a combination of high production costs and low prices.

In the past, such drastic reductions of prompt PE supply available to buyers in southeast Asia would have triggered worries about panic buying and severe spot market shortages.

This time around, buyers and traders appear to have shrugged off the potential impact of the shutdowns while some suppliers have even quietly welcomed the shutdowns as necessary.

“I don’t think the panic situation will occur,” said a market source.

In the week ended 7 February, Malaysia’s Pengerang Refining and Petrochemical (PRefChem) was the latest producer to have shut its downstream polymer production units.

This has taken PRefChem’s total capacity of 750,000 tonnes/year of PE out of the market for at least 1-2 months, according to market sources.

Although the cause of PRefChem’s latest shutdown is unknown, it comes hot on the heels of similar decisions taken by other producers in southeast Asia.

These include Vietnam’s Long Son Petrochemical, the Philippines’ JG Summit Olefins and Malaysia’s LOTTE Chemical Titan, all of which have either partially or fully shut their polymer units for commercial reasons.

None of the producers have given any firm indications of when they plan to restart.

“This means that cheap [PE] cargo is no longer easily available,” said one market source.

The shutdowns in southeast Asia also appear to have coincided with some unplanned shutdowns in the Middle East, which also seems to have further reduced supply for importers in southeast Asia, particularly for the LLDPE segment.

Some market sources said these shutdowns in southeast Asia, while painful for employees there, should be seen as a much-needed antidote to address at least some of the supply overhang, against a backdrop of very slow downstream demand.

“Good, all these shutdowns will reduce the oversupply,” said another source.

In theory, PE consumption in southeast Asia’s biggest markets – Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines – still exceeds capacity and the region remains a major export market.

Nevertheless, PE demand has been in the doldrums since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Many plants in southeast Asia plants rely on naphtha to produce ethylene (C2), which is then used to produce PE and other downstream products.

ICIS data show the spread between C2 and PE has been weak for an extended period of time, raising production costs and reducing the incentive for producers to increase their PE production rates.

In addition, ICIS data show LLDPE import prices in southeast Asia currently holding at just off their one-year lows, at $960-1,000/tonne CFR (cost and freight) SE (southeast) Asia Dutiable in the week ended 7 February.

HDPE film import prices are also at their lowest since July 2023, at $940-960/tonne CFR SE Asia Dutiable in the week ended 7 February.

“So despite all these plant shutdowns and the reduced supply, it’s still very hard to increase prices as demand is still very weak,” a market source said.

While many market players separately expect suppliers to independently increase their offers in light of the more recent plant shutdowns, some called for caution, given that demand fundamentals have shown little signs of improvement since the start of 2025.

“Some… customers are back to work this week and they wait and see on the market situation after the holiday. They are not rushing to restock,” another market source said.

In the latest ICIS price forecast report, ICIS analysts said they expect some seasonal demand increases in March to drive prices higher.

“On top of this, supply in southeast Asia is expected to be relatively tight during this period as plants undergo seasonal turnarounds and because of prolonged outages due to margin challenges,” the analysts added.

https://www.icis.com/

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HASCO Hot Runner Introduces Smart Electrical Safety Solutions

Innovative plug inserts and cables allow fast and space-saving wiring of power/signal plugs to the mould. With an extended product range, HASCO hot runner offers even more possibilities to make applications more efficient and less expensive.

New attractively priced aluminium-shielded cable

For applications in which the premium cable as per DIN 16765 with its special inserts, metal mesh shielding and robust silicone sheath is not necessary, HASCO offers the cable H1251/… with aluminium shielding and PVC covering. This not only offers outstanding protection against interference signals, but it is also very attractively priced. Available in four different wiring variants and lengths of 3 and 6 metres, it allows perfect solutions for individual applications.

Tool-free cable connection

A plug, that sets new standards in the wiring of injection moulds is proving to be particularly user-friendly. The integrated fasteners do not need any tools to securely fix the strands. A mechanism in the plug holds the cable firmly and at the same time enables easier removal. As also necessary with previous wiring, cable lugs are required and the wiring time itself can be reduced by 75 % compared with the screwed variant.

Space-saving plug for 12 control zones

In view of space problems in the mould area, HASCO offers a new plug, which not only has an impressive 12 control zones, but also maintains the maximum load ability of 16A per zone. This means that less space is needed for the plug connections in the mould and large, complex terminal boxes are outdated. The bulkhead housing is identical to the previous 6-zone plug inserts.

Seamless integration with HASCO wiring

Finally, HASCO now offers a connecting cable to fit the new plug with, on the one hand, the new compact plug layout and, on the other, the proven HASCO wiring. This means that the existing control technology can continue to be used without problem.

With these innovative solutions, HASCO hot runner makes it possible for its customers to make industrial applications even more efficient, less expensive and more space-saving.

https://www.hasco.com/

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Be Part of the Future – PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION 2025 Ticket Shop Open

Three months ahead of its kick-off on 13 May, the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION 2025 is on a promising path to success: Numerous international industry players will be taking part again, positioning the Düsseldorf convention-exhibition as a key hub for multi-channel and dialogue marketing one year after drupa 2024. The ticket shop is now open.

The PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION once again promises to deliver innovation, future insights, knowledge transfer, and networking at the highest level. It will demonstrate how print becomes an experience, excels through tactile appeal, and seamlessly integrates with tomorrow’s digital and online strategies. At the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION, exhibitors and speakers will provide numerous opportunities to explore trends and gain inspiration. Global players such as Konica Minolta, Canon, Kurz, and Carl Berberich have already confirmed their participation and will showcase their solutions and applications for modern, sustainable media production.

“We are delighted to announce at this early stage that so many renowned participants from the last event will be returning. At the same time, we aim to attract new exhibitors who will enrich the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION with fresh ideas and impulses,” says Rüdiger Maaß, Managing Director of the Fachverband Medienproduktion (FMP).

Innovation platform for the media production of tomorrow

The convention-exhibition will continue to be an indispensable industry meeting point in 2025, bringing innovative technologies to life and fostering exchange among industry experts. PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION is therefore more than just a convention-exhibition – it is an experience-driven, content-focused interactive event. “It highlights the crucial interplay between print and digitalization,” emphasizes Julia Meier, Head of Marketing Business Area Packaging and Print at Kurz.

Konica Minolta will highlight digital production printing at the trade show. “Digital production printing has never been as creative, colorful, and sustainable as it is today,” says Werner Theißen, Managing Director at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Germany & Austria. He emphasizes that print, as a multi-sensory medium, evokes emotions and influences purchasing decisions, making it a crucial element of successful multi-channel strategies. “This convention-exhibition is the most important meeting point for decision-makers, offering a unique combination of knowledge transfer, networking, and the presentation of innovative technologies.”

Even for long-standing participants like Canon, the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION remains an essential platform. “Here, we connect with the entire media production process chain in one place. The forward-thinking mix of topics and the direct exchange with (potential) customers make this event especially valuable for us,” explains Laura Hennigfeld, Manager Production Marketing DP&S at Canon Germany. Britta Ketzler, Marketing Director at Carl Berberich, adds: “PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION is a fantastic networking event that allows us to engage in meaningful conversations and establish new connections in an inspiring environment.”

Highlight project by Kurz: where finishing meets sustainability

A key unique selling point of the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION is its presentation of innovative technologies through highlight projects. These projects go beyond showcasing individual machines or tools – they demonstrate holistic, practical solutions. One such project is being implemented by the Kurz Foundation. Elke Andersch, Marketing Manager Packaging and Print at Kurz, emphasizes: “The holistic concept of the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION allows us to present visitors with a wide range of analog and digital finishing solutions. Together with our subsidiary Scribos, we will demonstrate how finishing can be seamlessly combined with functional security features in our planned highlight project. Naturally, we will also showcase sustainable solutions.”

At the heart of the project is “Imkergold”—a premium honey presented in a uniquely designed honeycomb jar. Its packaging, created by Julia König, Senior Designer at Kurz Design Management, takes consumers on a visual journey into the world of bees. When the packaging is opened, a stylized bee world unfolds, featuring intricate honeycombs and individually printed bees that are not only decorative but also functional, thanks to the ValiGate security solution. Tactile effects and high-quality materials further enhance the packaging, adding unique value. Additional highlight projects are already in the pipeline.

Innovations, trends and visions in eight theme worlds

In eight themed worlds, exhibitors will showcase the diverse possibilities that print offers in multi-channel publishing, covering all its facets and applications. “Dialogue Marketing” will focus on personalised communication with customers, “Value Added Printing” will present multi-sensory printing experiences, and “Label & Packaging” will showcase the latest trends and innovations in packaging technology and labelling. The “Postpress” theme world showcases creative ideas and techniques for making printed products eye-catching. In “Brand & Product”, exhibitors will explore the challenges and solutions for efficient product communication in omni-channel retail and “Interior & Exterior Design” will focus on the strategic use of colours, textures, and materials to create functional and aesthetically appealing spaces. Other key themes include “Sustainable Media Production” and “Programmatic Print”, which presents solutions for automated and personalised print advertising.

https://www.drupa.com/

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Three-Quarters of a Century of Innovation: Vulkollan at 75

• Vulkollan stands for continuous innovation to circularity and strong partnerships
• Setting the standard in high-performance elastomers for decades
• Enhancing performance, ensuring global supply security of quality products

It is a long-time favorite and an innovative material for a sustainable future: 75 years ago to the month, in February 1950, Vulkollan was invented, a versatile evergreen among high-performance plastics. Thanks to its extreme mechanical resilience combined with maximum dynamic load-bearing capacity, the Vulkollan elastomers ensure that the wheels never stand still in logistics centers, manufacturing plants and on roads around the world. Vulkollan raw materials are now produced in Leverkusen and at other locations worldwide. Production capacities and innovative recycling technologies are being expanded step by step.

Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer of Covestro, celebrated the anniversary at the birthplace of Vulkollan in the Leverkusen production site: “Vulkollan exemplifies Covestro’s commitment to innovation in our solutions and specialty segment. As the inventor of polyurethanes, we continue to develop cutting-edge solutions that drive value for our customers. We are also guiding Vulkollan and its outstanding performance on a journey towards circularity, ensuring it not only meets industry demands but also becomes an integral part of a more sustainable future.”

Made for the sustainable future

Generations of passionate chemists and engineers have driven this success and remain committed to taking Vulkollan to new heights. The dedication to innovation is matched by continuous investments in global production assets for Vulkollan raw materials. Recent examples include expansions in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, and Barcelona, Spain.

In 2024, Covestro took a significant step towards sustainability by announcing an investment in a pilot-plant for the chemical recycling of end-of-life Vulkollan parts located in Leverkusen. This initiative opens the door to a more sustainable future, reinforcing the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility while maintaining the material’s exceptional performance.

Enabler of extreme performance in logistics and production

Over the years, Covestro has continuously expanded Vulkollan’s applications to meet evolving customer needs. Today, this versatile material excels in a wide range of critical uses like heavy-duty wheels and rollers for material handling equipment including automated guided vehicles (AGVs), advanced technical components for industrial machinery, shock-absorbing bumper elements and automotive noise and vibration control systems.

The widespread adoption of Vulkollan in these demanding applications stands as a testament to its superior properties. Even under extreme stress, Vulkollan consistently delivers optimal performance, enabling our customers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in their respective fields.

Customer Partnerships: The Foundation of Success

“At Covestro, global supply security of quality raw materials for Vulkollan has top priority to allow our customers to grow with the Vulkollan technology,” says Thomas Braig, Head of the Business Entity Elastomers at Covestro. “This goes hand in hand with developing the performance further and innovating jointly with our customers worldwide.”

Customer cooperation is as integral to Vulkollan’s history as its exceptional performance. Strong and lasting partnerships have shaped Vulkollan into what it is today. Many of the customers celebrate 40, 50, or even more years of collaboration with Covestro through licensed cooperation, a testament to the trust and success Covestro and them have built together. Vulkollan has become the industry standard not just through innovation, but also through these deep-rooted relationships.

History of performance and versatility

The story of Vulkollan began in February 1950, with the publication of a groundbreaking article in a German leading chemical magazine “Angewandte Chemie”. Co-authored by Otto Bayer, the inventor of polyurethanes, this publication marked the birth of a material that would redefine performance in demanding applications across various industries.

Vulkollan quickly established itself as the premier material for industries demanding exceptional durability and performance, thanks to its outstanding properties such as high tensile strength, excellent tear resistance, low abrasion, and exceptional dynamic load-bearing capacity.

Innovation has always been at the heart of Vulkollan’s success. A major breakthrough came with the introduction of Vulkollan prepolymers, representing a significant process advancement for the customers. This innovation simplified the molding of Vulkollan parts, enhancing efficiency and reducing investment requirements for the partners working with this unique material.

The jubilee of Vulkollan is celebrated in all productions sites around the globe and can be followed on social media.

www.covestro.com

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PALFINGER’s World Premieres Redefine Lifting Solutions at Bauma 2025

True to the motto “Go for Solution P”, PALFINGER showcases its full portfolio of lifting solutions, services, and latest innovations at bauma 2025 in Munich. Leading the lineup is the PK 880 TEC loader crane, making its world premiere at the event. In addition, visitors can look forward to two world premieres within the TEC range of aerial work platforms, as well as another one in the FL range of truck-mounted forklifts. With these and many other product and service highlights, including the HP 20 A TEC hookloader, PALFINGER is setting the bar for lifting solutions.

“At PALFINGER, we offer a full package of products, services, and digital solutions that go far beyond the physical product. During bauma 2025, we will present our latest innovations live to highlight the potential unlocked through the seamless combination of hardware and software,” says Andreas Klauser, CEO of PALFINGER. “We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible solutions to their daily challenges. bauma in Munich will be the perfect platform to showcase what we do today and in the future.”

PALFINGER’s latest innovations take center stage at bauma 2025

• World premiere of the new PK 880 TEC loader crane: Lifting above its class

The key highlight at bauma 2025 is the PK 880 TEC, which is being shown to the global market for the first time. This crane combines cutting-edge technology with the latest CONNECTED plus+ solutions to deliver best-in-class precision and lifting performance, as well as maximum uptime through valuable insights based on operational live data and additional features like advanced job planning for scheduling service work. It will be showcased with advanced equipment, including the newly introduced tiltable crane fork, the new P6 radio remote control, and the EPU40 electric power unit that enables the crane to be operated in areas sensitive to emissions and noise.

• Aerial work platforms: The next level of platforms

In 2024, PALFINGER established its European hub for aerial work platforms in Löbau/Germany, aiming to strengthen this product line as a further strategically key product range. The brand-new TEC range of aerial work platforms takes center stage at bauma 2025. Four models featuring working heights ranging from 19 to 28 meters will be exhibited, including two world premieres. These powerful all-rounders in the 3.5-ton class are designed to set new standards in safety, quality, and performance standards and will be available immediately starting from bauma. All models can be equipped with the optional eDRIVE battery pack for low-noise and low-emission operation.

• Truck-mounted forklifts: “Shift your perspective” with the FL range

Whether in urban areas or rough terrains, PALFINGER’s truck-mounted forklifts in the FL range combine performance, comfort, and safety. As the only provider in the market, PALFINGER offers truck-mounted forklifts in all categories, enabling efficient and versatile material handling directly to the exact point of use. Under the theme “Shift your perspective,” PALFINGER will present their updates to the FL range including another world premiere at bauma 2025.

• Hookloaders & Skiploaders: Built for any challenge

The lineup of PALFINGER hookloaders and skiploaders rounds off the product display, with the spotlight on the HP 20 A TEC. Built for the toughest jobs, this hookloader sets a new benchmark in heavy-duty handling with advanced cab control, state-of-the-art features like memory position, and enhanced specifications. Part of the POWER series, the HP 20 A TEC is specifically designed for efficient container handling on construction sites, making it an ideal solution for managing large waste containers and bulk materials like gravel. Its robust, field-proven geometry eliminates linear sliding components, significantly reduces wear and tear and minimizes maintenance requirements. Equipped with the new V Drive cab control, tailor-made, designed and customizable, it ensures intuitive operation and maximum safety for demanding applications.

Showcasing the full package of excellence in service

PALFINGER supports its customers throughout the entire product lifecycle with tailored, value-added services. As products have become more powerful and enriched with digital solutions, PALFINGER’s service portfolio has also evolved. At bauma 2025, visitors can experience a showcase of service highlights such as PALFINGER CONNECTED, a digital platform for efficient fleet management, which achieves maximum uptime by analyzing machine data and relevant usage information. As well as PALFINGER’s hub for technical documentation and configuration PALDESK, the VR1 training simulator for optimized operator training, and service contracts. Visitors also discover more about PALFINGER’s extensive partner network, which delivers a high level of service quality, speed, and expertise.

https://www.palfinger.com/

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Slovnaft Refinery Achieves Success in HVO and SAF Fuel Testing

MOL Group has produced a diesel fuel containing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the refinery of Slovnaft in Bratislava. The quality of the products has been verified by radioisotope analysis by the independent specialist laboratory of Isotoptech Zrt. The successful production test confirms that MOL Group is technologically ready for the production of alternative synthetic fuels, which is part of the company’s long-term SHAPE TOMORROW strategy.

Biodiesel HVO of vegetable origin was successfully produced at the Bratislava Refinery. HVO was produced using oil from cashew nut shells and the biocomponent produced this way was processed together with crude oil. MOL Group has been using the so-called co-processing at the Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta for years: the process reduces the emissions of traditional fuels by mixing plant residues, as the bio and fossil components are processed simultaneously directly during production. The production test was successful: the diesel product was analysed by the Hungarian Isotoptech Zrt laboratory which confirmed that it contains the required ratio of HVO.

At the same time, MOL Group’s Bratislava Refinery conducted another production test, which produced a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by co-processing as well. In this case, the company also created value from waste: it processed partially refined cooking oil with the traditional raw material. The test proved that the Bratislava Refinery’s production unit used for the production of standard aviation kerosene is also suitable for producing sustainable aviation fuel.

“We are technologically ready to produce biodiesel of vegetable origin as well as sustainable aviation fuel. This could open a new chapter in the sustainable efforts of MOL Group: we offer our customers an increasing variety and quantity of fuels, thus contributing to the smart energy transition as well,” said Csaba Zsótér, Senior Vice President, Fuels at MOL Group.

“The fact that Slovnaft has passed this test is a confirmation of our position as an important player in the CEE region. The competence in chemical production that we have acquired over the long history of the company must be preserved and developed in line with where the company is moving and what kind of future we want to create,” said Gabriel Szabó, Vice Chairman of the Slovnaft Management Board and Vice President Downstream of the MOL Group.

Currently, very few refineries in the world produce SAF. Slovnaft has thus become one of the first refineries capable of producing aviation fuel meeting the quality requirements set for SAF. In the context of EU environmental targets, SAF is to account for 2% of total aviation fuel consumption from this year, with this percentage gradually increasing each year. The share of SAF is to increase to 6% by 2030, 20% by 2035, and 70% by 2050. These requirements will apply to all flights originating in the EU, regardless of destination. Slovnaft, as well as the MOL Group, also cooperate with the Faculty of Aeronautics of the Technical University of Kosice in the testing of SAF aviation fuel.

https://molgroup.info/

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