Machinery News

  • From standard machines to customized solutions in blow molding

    Just a few years ago, most PET bottles manufacturers operated on the principle of selecting serial equipment, installing it, and starting production. Today, however, the industry is undergoing a tectonic shift: customised solutions tailored to specific production needs are coming to the fore. Did you know that the demand for custom PET blow molding machines has grown by 30% in recent years? Customisation is no longer just a trendy concept, but a response to the variety of standards, applications, and restrictions in customer facilities. Why is it so important? Today's PET packaging market is extremely diverse. European beverage manufacturers, Latin American breweries, or US co-packers all operate in completely different conditions. Climate, quality standards, consumer expectations — all of these factors influence the shape of the bottle, the design of the blow mold, the requirements for blowing speed, and even the equipment configuration. In such conditions, a standard “off-the-shelf” blow molding machine just loses its effectiveness. This is where the customisation engineering comes in: the focus is not just on the machine, but on the solution that works for your business. The idea that customization is just a new bottle shape is long outdated in today’s industry. Modern personalization is a comprehensive approach that can include: Modifications to the control system; Adaptation of machines to the standards of each company, industry, application or climatic zone; Compatibility with molds from other equipment; Adapting the layout to space restrictions; Continuous improvement of pneumatic and electrical components in parallel with technological advances; Availability of the program and manuals in the client’s language. The result for the customer is simple and tangible: consistent quality, predictable costs, confidence in equipment performance, and the ability to quickly adapt to the market. Today, PET Technologies has numerous real-world projects, where customization played a decisive role. In each case, the work began with a detailed analysis of the task and ended with a ready-made solution that fits organically into the production process. In Salvador, for example, our R&D departmеnt enthusiastically accepted the challenge of adapting another manufacturer’s molds to our equipment. The flexibility we demonstrated allowed not only to integrate existing blow molds into the new machine, but also enabled us to significantly reduce the customer’s costs, which usually accompany a change of supplier. Another  notable case was in Slovakia, where we produced interchangeable bottom sets for blow molds. That allowed the customer to switch easily between bottles for still and sparkling water with minimal setup changes. Similarly in Hawaii — we adapted our machine's heating system to work with preforms containing rPET, recycled plastic collected from the ocean. This is the essence of customer intimacy: understanding the customer’s challenges as if they were our own and turning technology into tools for your business growth. For more information: https://pet-eu.com/ More

    Industry News

  • Alfa Laval introduces ThinkCircularity: Closing the loop on plastic waste

    Alfa Laval is turning circularity into action with the launch of ThinkCircularity, a take-back programme that recycles materials from its ThinkTop valve control units. The pilot project has been well received by customers and partners, and the company has already received its first returned products for recycling.   ”Circular thinking is not just a buzzword for us – it is a responsibility,” says Inger Bygum, Head of Sustainability at Alfa Laval Hygienic Fluid Handling and Heat Transfer Technologies. “With ThinkCircularity, we ensure that materials from old ThinkTops can be reused, recycled or disposed of in the most responsible and value-creating manner.” ThinkCircularity initially focuses on plastic recycling. Each ThinkTop contains 500 grams of plastic, and the pilot project has demonstrated that this material can be recycled to produce new units without compromising quality. Tests confirm that the mix of reused and virgin plastic in future units meets all performance standards – from tensile strength to durability. Furthermore, other materials and components from the ThinkTops – such as valuable metals and electronics – are responsibly recycled. First ThinkTops returned In food, dairy and pharma industries, there is an ongoing focus on process optimization and resource savings. For instance, by upgrading their existing ThinkTop control units, which can save 90% on water and energy used for cleaning-in-place. This is also the case in Norway, where Skala, the Alfa Laval Master Distributor, specializes in servicing hygienic industries. They recently introduced the ThinkCircularity take-back scheme to their customers and have already sent back several hundred units. “Our customers care about water and energy efficiency – and sustainability,” says Owe Barsten, Responsible Manager at Skala Components. “Upgrades mean that older units are scrapped, but now we can offer a truly circular solution where old ThinkTops give life to the next generation.” First step in a broader circularity strategy Key elements in Alfa Laval’s circularity strategy include designing products for durability, high efficiency and long lifetime. With ThinkCircularity, the company now closes the loop by offering an end-of-life solution that ensures that old products are scrapped responsibly and new products in the future can be made from recycled plastic. Inger Bygum emphasizes that this pilot project is only the start: “Recycling plastic from old ThinkTops is just a small drop in a vast ocean of circular opportunities. Still, this pilot project is important to us and has taught us valuable lessons that will help us develop new business models, partnerships and methods to scale reuse and recycling.”  So far, the ThinkCircularity initiative has been launched in selected European countries. To learn more about Alfa Laval’s ThinkCircularity visit ThinkCircularity | Alfa Laval For further information, please contact: Inger Bygum Head of Sustainability, Alfa Laval Hygienic Fluid Handling and Heat Transfer Technologies Phone: +45 28 95 44 18 E-mail: [email protected] This is Alfa Laval The ability to make the most of what we have is more important than ever. Together with our customers, we’re innovating the industries that society depends on and creating lasting positive impact. We’re set on helping billions of people to get the energy, food, and clean water they need.  And, at the same time, we’re decarbonizing the marine fleet that’s the backbone of global trade. We pioneer technologies and solutions that free our customers to unlock the true potential of resources. As our customers’ businesses grow stronger, the goal of a truly sustainable world edges closer. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets. Together, we’re pioneering positive impact. Alfa Laval was founded 140 years ago, has customers in 100 countries, employs more than 22,300 people, and annual sales were SEK 66.9 billion (5.8 BEUR) in 2024. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.   www.alfalaval.com More

    Exhibition News

  • Processing-Packaging 2026: From Cost Pressure to Investment Configurations “Measured by Numbers”

    In 2026, the processing and packaging industry enters a harsh “filtering” phase: rising costs, tighter standards, and competitive advantages driven not by scale, but by measurable efficiency. From OEE and consumption rates to total cost of ownership (TCO), investment decisions must now be justified by data rather than intuition. With the endorsement of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, ProPak Vietnam 2026 serves as a crucial “benchmark platform” for businesses to evaluate and select technologies aligned with the new growth cycle. In 2025, Vietnam’s processing-packaging operations are moving into a clearly defined transition phase. According to the Q4/2025 Socio-economic Report by the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Planning and Investment), the manufacturing and processing industry grew 9.97% year-on-year, contributing over 31% of GDP and continuing to serve as the primary engine of economic growth. On the export front, processed industrial goods reached USD 421.47 billion, accounting for nearly 89% of the nation’s total export value-reinforcing Vietnam’s position as a manufacturing hub in the global supply chain. Although Vietnam’s production base maintains steady growth momentum, operational efficiency remains the biggest bottleneck for processing-packaging companies. Many factories still operate on legacy foundations: lines not yet optimized, escalating costs, high loss rates, and quality control systems that have not been fully digitized. According to the Global Innovation Index 2025 (GII) by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Vietnam ranks 44th out of 139 economies, reflecting gradually improving innovation potential. However, the gap between innovation capability and real-world application on production floors remains large. In practice, only 20% of businesses have begun basic-level digital transformation, while more than 60% of small and medium-sized enterprises remain outside this process. When industry growth no longer moves in step with the pace of enterprise innovation, the misalignment between these two factors increasingly becomes a major barrier to sustainable development. Under such pressure, restructuring technology and production models is no longer a choice-it is a necessity if businesses want to survive in the global supply chain. Current directions are focused on three main pillars: optimizing processing-filling-aseptic systems in the liquid food sector; developing packaging and materials that are more environmentally friendly; and digitizing real-time quality monitoring data. These are the foundations that help companies cut waste, increase productivity, and standardize against new export requirements. However, the challenge is not whether to change, but “which direction is right amid countless new technologies.” In that matrix of choices, ProPak Vietnam 2026 - The 19th International Exhibition on Processing, Manufacturing, and Packaging Technologies in Vietnam - becomes a key technical rendezvous for the industry in early Q2/2026, where equipment, materials, and packaging technologies are placed on the same “benchmark platform” enabling businesses to benchmark capabilities, set strategy, and find practical solutions for their transformation journey. Representatives perform the opening ceremony of ProPak Vietnam 2026. The event will take place from 31/3 to 2/4/2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City, featuring more than 450 companies from 32 countries and territories across a total exhibition area of 13,000 m². This year, the show will also include 6 group pavilions from Taiwan, Germany, South Korea, China, and Italy. With nearly two decades of successful editions, ProPak Vietnam continues to affirm its role as a strategic destination for domestic and international businesses-especially as the processing-packaging sector accelerates toward automation, digitalization, and sustainable development. In 2026, ProPak Vietnam will continue to co-locate with DrinkTech Vietnam and Plastics & Rubber Vietnam, creating a connected axis from materials - packaging - packing - inspection - distribution, giving factories the opportunity to directly compare performance, cost of ownership, and compliance readiness across solutions. Technical seminar within the framework of ProPak Vietnam 2025 A key highlight of ProPak Vietnam 2026 is the strong accompaniment of reputable domestic and international associations and organizations such as the Vietnam Beer - Alcohol - Beverage Association, the Vietnam Association of Food Science and Technology, the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, the HCMC Laboratory Cooperation Association, the Smart Active Packaging Industry Association, the Asian Packaging Federation, and the Australasian Institute of Packaging-opening in-depth discussion sessions on logistics measurement compliance, food safety, sustainable packaging development, and more. The exhibition scope covers the entire chain: from processing - filling - aseptic packaging; technologies for dairy, food, beverage, and pharmaceutical processing; to flexible packaging - PET - design-for-recycling; coding - marking - labeling - printing; along with testing, measurement, and food safety-hygiene systems and solutions. The show will bring together leading businesses in the industry such as Multivac Vietnam, Ishida Vietnam, Kyouwa Vietnam, Spirax Sarco Vietnam, Bericap Vietnam, The Packaging Technology, and many other reputable brands-delivering advanced technology solutions aligned with automation and sustainable production trends. This year’s event is expected to attract more than 11,000 trade visitors, including manufacturers in F&B; FMCG; pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care; seafood, along with the participation of associations, regulators, and specialized institutes and universities. Alongside the technology showcase, ProPak Vietnam’s Buyer Program is designed as a dedicated “deal-making connectivity platform” for buyers with real investment demand in 2026. Through a needs-based screening and matching process, the program enables companies to significantly shorten the time required to source and evaluate solutions. With pre-scheduled meetings and structured networking activities, the Buyer Programme turns on-site visits into discussions that “go straight to the core challenge,” helping factories rapidly benchmark performance, total cost of ownership, and compliance readiness across options-thereby accelerating investment decisions and enabling implementation immediately after the exhibition. A corner of the exhibition area at ProPak Vietnam 2025 For factories planning investments for 2026, the core value of ProPak Vietnam lies in its ability to evaluate efficiency using real data: comparing operational performance among solutions in the same segment, benchmarking energy and material consumption under a unified measurement framework, and verifying compatibility with existing systems. Conversely, equipment and material suppliers have opportunities to co-develop solutions with factories-meeting increasingly strict requirements on recyclability, emissions reduction, and lifecycle cost optimization. ProPak Vietnam 2026 is not only a technology exhibition-it is a strategic touchpoint for data-driven investment decisions, clearly reflecting the shift of Vietnam’s processing-packaging industry in a new phase. It not only helps businesses measure efficiency, but also supports market expansion while keeping pace with global trends. Exhibition Details: The 19th International Exhibition on Processing, Manufacturing, and Packaging Technologies in Vietnam Date: 31 March – 2 April 2026 (09:00 – 17:00) Venue: Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City Scale: 13,000 sqm; 450 exhibitors; 32 countries & territories; 6 international group pavilions Co-located with: DrinkTech Vietnam 2026 and Plastics & Rubber Vietnam Register to visit at: https://ppv.imasia-passport.com/en/user/register?utm_source=PPVPR&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=VP Visitor registration support: +84 28 3622 2588 (Ext: 183) | Ms. Tracy Tran (Trinh) More

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