SABIC and KraussMaffei's NETSTAL Brand Announce Opening of Application Center for Thin-Wall Packaging
SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has announced the start of a collaboration with KraussMaffei HighPerformance AG. The collaboration will take place at the Thin-Walled Packaging Application Center in Näfels, Switzerland, operated by NETSTAL, KraussMaffei's Swiss subsidiary known for high-performance injection molding systems.
The expanded Application Center was officially inaugurated in a virtual ceremony hosted by officials from both companies, with customers, brand owners and other value chain partners attending online. The Application Center will deliver innovative applications, materials and processing solutions in the thin-walled packaging industry through closer collaboration across the entire value chain of the segment.
Abdullah Al-Otaibi, General Director of Petrochemicals at SABIC Engineering Thermoplastics Business and Market Solutions, said: "This important milestone underscores our continuous investment in innovation, collaboration and sustainability to help our customers achieve their goals and advance the sector. The Application Center will accelerate the pace at which we bring new materials and processing technologies to our mutual customers while engaging more closely with them to embrace global trends, turn challenges into opportunities, and speed up the development of both profitable and sustainable thin-walled packaging solutions."
The Application Center will enable proactive engagement with customers and OEMs to strengthen collaboration in the Thin-Walled Packaging Industry. SABIC will use the Application Center in collaboration with customers and third parties to develop material solutions that can add value in terms of advanced mechanical performance, more efficient processability and higher sustainability value.
The NETSTAL injection molding portfolio for packaging applications can be further optimized as a result of improved material and process understanding. Dr. Christina Härter, Head of NETSTAL Application Technology at KraussMaffei HighPerformance AG, said: "With future insights gained from this valuable collaboration, we will further develop our injection molding technology in terms of usability, process control and performance. Additionally, through close knowledge exchange between our divisions, we will develop new processes together with SABIC for sustainable packaging solutions."
In addition to NETSTAL's state-of-the-art injection molding, in-mold labeling and part handling capabilities, the Application Center provides advanced tooling and testing equipment. The first new systems established by SABIC include molding equipment designed to explore injection compression molding options and test mechanical properties of thin-walled packaging applications.
Renzo Davatz, CEO of KraussMaffei HighPerformance AG, said: "We have a long history of innovation in thin-walled injection molding and are pleased to collaborate with SABIC, which shares our ideas and commitment to further developing new processes and material solutions in this important market segment. We will leverage our synergies together to promote value chain interaction, identify new potential customers and help our customers succeed."
Waleed Al Shalfan, Vice President of Technology and Innovation for SABIC Polymers, said: "The joint Application Center brings new momentum to scaling our expertise in polymer science and processing with a more collaborative approach. Value chain interactions with customers and innovation sessions will further enhance our understanding and enable us to respond more efficiently and effectively to our customers' needs and create lasting value for all players, the industry and society."
A video of the Thin-Walled Packaging Application Center can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhdyY3ZRrog
