PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

On this episode of PMM Insight, Editor Ron Shinn and Managing Editor Lynne Sherwin discuss new extrusion machinery introduced at the K Show. Labor shortage solutions take center stage: New extrusion systems focus on automation, guided workflows and smarter controls to support less-experienced operators. Reifenhäuser Everex flat film line: Automated PAM (Precise, Autonomous Mechatronic) die and adapter adjustment for time savings, improved safety and reduced operator intervention KraussMaffei Pioneer ProcessControl (ppC): Dashboard- and widget-based data visualization; role-based interfaces for all skill levels; smart guided workflows to simplify complex production steps Milacron MosaicX control system: Faster processing and expanded data reporting; controls multiple extruders and auxiliary systems; enhanced self-diagnostics and fault detection Coperion Lifecycle Manager (C-Beyond platform): Predictive maintenance based on real operating hours; automated service notifications; improved OEE through bundled, scheduled maintenance Breakthrough degassing technology from Battenfeld-Cincinnati: The BC-120-40 DVT, the first single-screw extruder with dual, independent degassing zones for Superior moisture and volatile removal, minimized bubble formation, reduced pre-drying Recycling-ready extrusion: Coperion STS 35 Mc 11 optimized for recycled resin, with nitride-hardened steel process section, brass heater shells with water flash cooling Industrial AI enters extrusion operations: Reifenhäuser NEXT system includes AI chatbot for real-time troubleshooting (NEXT.AI), digital and on-site training platform (NEXT.Learning), production dashboards and data aggregation (NEXT.Data) Listen now to hear PMM’s Ron Shinn break down the most impactful extrusion innovations from K 2025 — and what they mean for your plant floor.

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, our weekly roundup of news and features with PMM Editor Ron Shinn: Three top executives are departing Husky Technologies in the wake of its acquisition.  KraussMaffei has developed a process to dose glass fibers directly into a molding machine.  Absolute Haitian co-owner Glenn Frohring talks about his love for rock ‘n’ roll, birds, his career and what comes next. 

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, our weekly roundup of news and features with PMM Editor Ron Shinn:  Linda and Yousry Sayed, new owners of Wilmington Machinery, are planning to expand the business.  North American robot orders increased in 2025, but orders in the plastics and rubber sector declined.  German Machinery manufacturer Reifenhäuser rolled out new lines for flat film and blown film at K 2025, as well as an upgraded automation system and AI-powered chatbot. 

On this episode of PMM Insight, a commentary with Editor Ron Shinn: Business seems to be in a downward spiral for plastics recyclers. There is no national support or incentives for collection or recycling infrastructure, and state-of-the-art plants are closing. Why should processors and machinery manufacturers care? Because recyclers are a foundational building block for plastics circularity, which is essential for the industry's future.

On this episode of PMM’s Machinery Minutes, our weekly look at significant stories from the past week, with Editor Ron Shinn:  Total cost of wages and benefits are likely to go up this year for plastics processors, according to a report from The Plastics Industry Association.  WM Thermoforming unveiled two new machines designed for energy efficiency, quick set-up and easy maintenance, at the recent K Show.  Gabler Thermoform demonstrated the M100 Evo, capable of up to 43 cycles per minute and production of 250,000 items per hour. 

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, our weekly news podcast with PMM editor Ron Shinn rounding up some of the top stories of the past week:  Thermoforming experts Conor Carlin and Mark Strachan have developed an AI-powered tool to help thermoforming companies struggling to find and keep skilled operators.  Pat Farrey, former head of SPE and now executive VP of PLASTICS, talks about the merger of the two organizations, leadership and improving the image of the plastics industry.  A new high-tech Kiefel thermoformer boosts production by 50 percent and uses 10 percent less energy. 

This episode is a discussion about the annual PMM Machinery Buying Survey, with editor Ron Shinn, managing editor Lynne Sherwin and senior staff reporter Karen Hanna. Here are some key points:  Survey respondents were surprisingly positive, with 73 percent saying they plan to buy primary processing equipment in 2026. Some machinery OEMs and analysts aren't quite so optimistic. Tariffs are having a mixed effect and are still causing confusion.  Manufacturing wages across the board are rising, and processors are going to have to pay more for workers, even as the lack of skilled labor is driving more automation. The trend to keep machinery running longer is continuing, and machinery OEMs are responding by beefing up their service departments. 

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, our weekly news podcast with PMM editor Ron Shinn rounding up some of the top stories of the past week: Dr. Boy went big at K 2025 by introducing an entirely new line of all-electric injection molding machines.  An Ohio injection molder invested $50,000 in robots and saw a $75,000 annual savings.  Paul Caprio was named president of LS Mtron for the U.S. and Canada. It is his third stint as president of a North American plastics machinery company.

In this PMM Insight commentary, Editor Ron Shinn gives you his list of what the plastics industry needs for 2026, including:  Significant improvement in the U.S. manufacturing sector.  Training and workforce development on a national level.  Stabilization of U.S. tariff policy.  An overhaul of the plastics recycling system.  Take a listen and tell us what's on your wish list.

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, our weekly news podcast with PMM editor Ron Shinn rounding up some of the top stories of the past week:  We look at new injection molding machinery introduced by Engel, Arburg and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag at K 2025.  Netstal Americas, Arburg and Hasco all announced new top executives.  The Plastics Industry Association has launched Positives of Plastic, a website designed to provide fact-based information about plastics for industry professionals and the general public. 

PMM Senior Staff Reporter Karen Hanna interviews Editor Ron Shinn about the new injection molding machines he saw at the K Show. Among the points they discuss:  The latest trends in injection molding machines.  Most notable new features on the machines.  The importance of artificial intelligence.  The next big frontier for injection molding machines. 

On this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast with PMM editor Ron Shinn, discussing three top stories of the past week in the plastics industry:  SPE officially became a division of PLASTICS on Jan. 1. The challenge now is to merge SPE’s extensive offerings of technical events, products and membership into PLASTICS.  The Wittmann Group debuted two new injection molding machines at K 2025, a redesigned MacroPower servo hydraulic and an all-electric EcoPrimus press.  Industry veteran John Wiley has been promoted to VP of operations at LS Mtron Injection Molding Machine. 

Lights-out production has been a goal for the plastics industry for three decades, but until now, machines have still required operators to set them up, monitor and adjust them and perform quality checks.   On this PMM Insight podcast commentary, Editor Ron Shinn sees signs that true lights-out capabilities are on the horizon:  Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence (AI), smart factory technology and a skilled labor shortage has delivered the plastics processing industry to the beginning of a new era in automation.  Engel displayed the world’s first autonomous, self-regulating molding cell at K 2025.  Haitian, Reifenhäuser, Shibaura, Stork and Wittmann — among others — also unveiled AI-powered systems for plastics processing. 

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, we discuss three stories about new injection molding machines introduced at K 2025, which we are covering in depth on our website.  KraussMaffei’s redesigned PX injection molding machine series is more compact and energy efficient. It features a simplified, web-based MC7 control system for improved usability and cyber resilience.  Chinese manufacturer Tederic Machinery unveiled its new Innova 250 high-speed hybrid molding machine designed for the packaging industry.  Stork Plastics Machinery showed a high-performance molding machine named the 6600-3550, designed for thin-wall packaging products. 

In this episode of Machinery Minutes, PMM Editor Ron Shinn gives his three favorite stories of 2025 and compares his list to the top three stories readers viewed on plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com. Here are the editor’s favorites:  Business management experts said that leaders need to change their thinking to successfully navigate tariff whiplash and stock market volatility, but at the same time stick to their values.  Processors have massive amounts of data to track, but much of it goes unused. How do you become one of the companies that tracks and uses data?  A study suggests that every company has a 50-50 chance of being hacked, and manufacturing companies are among the most frequently targeted. Find out how to protect your company and recover quickly if you are the victim of a cyberattack. 

On this episode of the PMM Insight podcast, a commentary by Editor Ron Shinn:  2025 will be remembered as the year worldwide treaty talks to end plastic pollution collapsed.  Recyclers are probably the biggest losers.  To solve the problem, recyclers just need solid commitments from buyers to use recycled resin. 

On this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast, in which PMM Editor Ron Shinn discusses three top stories of the past week:  LS Mtron is continuing its aggressive expansion plans by enlarging its Chicago-area technical center.  Wittmann USA President Sonny Morneault discusses leadership, changes he has seen in the plastics industry and what’s ahead.  Your business insurance can help maintain uptime, control costs and keep you competitive. It is a good time to review your coverage. 

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, our weekly podcast roundup of three important stories on the plastics industry:  The number of people working in plastics and rubber manufacturing fell by 3.500 from August to September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Cobots from Universal Robots will be manufactured in the Detroit area starting next year.  Haitian, the world’s biggest manufacturer of injection molding machines, unveiled two new presses for packaging applications at K 2025. 

On this podcast episode, Editor Ron Shinn and Senior Reporter Karen Hanna talk about sustainability issues with flexible packaging, including:  An explanation of the green premium and why it matters.  Is flexible plastic packaging in danger of being replaced by paper or fiber?  Are plastic packaging converters caught in a tough spot?

On this episode of Machinery Minutes, our weekly roundup of top stories with Editor Ron Shinn:  A good sign for U.S. manufacturing: Industrial robot orders were up in the third quarter. A bad sign for plastics and rubber manufacturing: Robot orders dropped.  There is a new player in the North American thermoforming processing machinery market, and its name is Asano Laboratories.  A small tool maker and injection molder in Florida brought those skills together to develop a new product — a dog grooming tool with steel teeth and an ABS handle.