? A Bold Step Forward

Guided by the principle “Proactivity is everything”, ALPLA has released its sixth Sustainability Report, covering the last two financial years. For the first time, the report aligns with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), three years ahead of the legal requirement. This alignment boosts transparency, comparability, and the company’s leadership in sustainable reporting. Sustainability

? Our Holistic Sustainability Approach

ALPLA’s vision integrates environmental, social, and economic responsibilities across its value chain. The 2023–2024 report focuses on:

• Climate Action – Reducing emissions, increasing renewable energy use.
• Circular Economy – Advancing closed-loop systems, boosting recycling capacity.
• Responsible Conduct – Promoting ethical business, employee empowerment, and community engagement.

“This report demonstrates the impact of our forward-thinking approach — showing what we’ve achieved and the road ahead.” — Philipp Lehner, CEO

? Key Milestones 2023–2024

• ✅ SBTi Validation: Climate targets officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, reinforcing our climate strategy. Sustainability
• ? EcoVadis Gold Rating: Ranked in the top 5% of companies for sustainability performance.
• ♻ Global Recycling Capacity Expansion: Targeting 350,000 tonnes of mechanical recycling capacity by end of 2024 through the 4Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replace.
• ⚡ Renewable Energy Growth: Increased renewable electricity usage to 38.3%, significantly cutting Scope 2 GHG emissions.
• ? Post-Consumer Recycled Materials: Reached 21.9% PCR material usage — nearing our 25% by 2025 goal.
• ? Workforce Development: Employee numbers grew by 4%, with a 5.6% rise in training hours per employee.
• ? ESRS Alignment: Emphasizing double materiality, value chain integration, and climate risk management. Sustainability

? Climate Action & Circular Economy in Practice

Through its double materiality assessment, ALPLA identified the most critical impact areas, including:

• ? Climate change mitigation
• ? Microplastics reduction
• ? Water stress management
• ⚙ Resource efficiency
• ? Business ethics
• ? Employee engagement

With operations in 46 countries and over 24,000 employees, ALPLA continues to deliver innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. Campaigns like “Plastic Is Fantastic” foster fact-based dialogue about the role of plastics in a circular economy. Sustainability

? Collaboration: The Heart of Progress

ALPLA’s sustainability success is built on teamwork — internally and across its global partnerships. Employees, suppliers, and customers work together to advance decarbonization, material efficiency, and organizational resilience.

“We believe in fostering constructive, solution-oriented dialogue to shape a sustainable future.” — Philipp Lehner

? Access the Full Report

Explore detailed metrics, strategies, and case studies in the full Sustainability Report, available in English, German, and Spanish:

? View the Full Report  Sustainability

? Closing the Loop, Opening Potential

Under the powerful motto “Barmag Recycling Technologies – Closing the Loop. Opening Potential.”, the company will demonstrate how its innovations are transforming plastics manufacturing and processing. From melt preparation to final spinning, Barmag offers every technology in-house — delivering a one-stop solution for circular economy goals in packaging and chemical fiber sectors. Sustainability

“From melt preparation and cleaning to melt conveying, granulation, and spinning — we have it all under one roof. Our technologies enable a closed-loop economy and open up new potential for the industry.” — Georg Stausberg, CEO

? Polycondensation: The Foundation of Quality Sustainability

In sustainable manufacturing, melt quality is non-negotiable. High-quality melt directly impacts the durability and performance of bottles, films, and polyester fibers. At K 2025, Barmag will showcase its cutting-edge Oerlikon Barmag Homogenizer, designed for thermomechanical recycling of post-industrial polyester waste like bottle flakes and film. Sustainability

This technology ensures a homogeneous melt, enabling precise viscosity control to produce defined rPET precursors for subsequent processing — whether as melt, granulate, or fiber material for direct spinning.

? Extrusion & Recycling: Pumps that Make the Difference

For modern products such as capacitor films, packaging films, monofilaments, tubes, and window profiles, precision is paramount. Barmag’s latest extruder pumps deliver consistent product flow thanks to constant pressure build-up and reduced pulsations. The benefits are tangible:

• ✅ Consistently high-quality extrusion results  Sustainability
• ✅ Reduced wear on the extruder
• ✅ Compensation for material viscosity fluctuations

The GE and GC series covers delivery volumes from 4.7 to 12,800 cm³/rev, ensuring tailor-made solutions for varied extrusion demands.

⚙ Pump Solutions for Polymer Production

Beyond extrusion, Barmag excels in pumps for monomer, pre-polymer, and polymer discharge processes.

The GL and GD series — with capacities from 4.7 to 21,100 cm³/rev — operate across wide viscosity ranges and diverse production capacities. Sustainability

All models are available as complete units, including drive trains and components, enabling customized, integrated system solutions for clients worldwide.

? Precision That Sets Industry Standards

In industries where dosing accuracy defines success — from chemicals to paints, coatings, and plastics — Barmag’s gear pump technology leads the way. The ZP series offers exceptional metering accuracy across a wide viscosity spectrum, ideal for demanding applications like viscosity measurement.

? Metering Technology for Complex Media

Handling challenging media — toxic, low-viscosity, or both — is a common demand in many industrial sectors. Barmag’s GM and GA series pumps rise to the challenge:

• ? Low-pulsation feed for consistent dosing Sustainability
• ? Multi-stage capability for low-viscosity media under high pressure
• ? Safe handling of hazardous or delicate substances

These pumps ensure reliable, precise dosing under even the most demanding conditions, making them indispensable for high-precision processes.

? Sustainability Through the Entire Chain

Every Barmag solution is engineered with resource efficiency and environmental impact reduction in mind. By integrating recycling technologies with high-performance manufacturing systems, the company empowers its customers to achieve both economic and environmental objectives. Sustainability

? Optimized for Industry 4.0 and Beyond

Barmag’s commitment to sustainability is complemented by its embrace of Industry 4.0 principles. Data-driven process control, predictive maintenance, and smart monitoring ensure that systems operate at peak efficiency — reducing waste, energy consumption, and downtime.

? Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

At K 2025, Barmag is not only showcasing technology but also fostering collaboration. The company actively engages with partners, suppliers, and customers to promote circular economy principles, share expertise, and inspire industry-wide transformation.

? Key Takeaways for Visitors

• ♻ Integrated recycling technologies for plastics and fibers
• ⚡ High-efficiency pumps for extrusion, polymer production, and precision metering Sustainability
• ? Commitment to sustainability from design to delivery
• ? Tailored solutions for diverse industrial needs
• ? Industry 4.0 readiness for optimized operations

? See Barmag at K 2025

Trade visitors can explore Barmag’s solutions at K 2025, where the company will be demonstrating its innovations live and discussing future trends in sustainable plastics production.

Introduction ? Sustainability

The automotive manufacturing industry is undergoing a transformation driven by innovation, sustainability, and cost efficiency. At the forefront of this shift is KraussMaffei, a German engineering leader, introducing its Chopped Fiber Processing (CFP) technology at the upcoming K2025 trade show. This pioneering process revolutionizes the direct compounding of fiber-reinforced materials, enabling automakers to produce lighter, stronger, and more sustainable parts with impressive cost savings.

What Is Chopped Fiber Processing (CFP)? ⚙️

CFP is an innovative approach to injection molding that directly compounds resin and chopped glass fibers inside the molding machine, eliminating the need for pre-compounded granules. This not only streamlines the production process but also enhances part performance.  Sustainability

Live Demonstration at K2025 ?

Visitors at K2025 will witness the CFP process in action on a GX 650-4300 injection molding machine, paired with the new LRXplus 350 linear robot. This setup will produce a complex automotive tailgate component that emerges from the mold fully finished — no post-processing required.

This live demonstration underscores KraussMaffei’s ability to merge automation, precision, and efficiency into one streamlined workflow. Sustainability

Advantages Over Conventional Methods ?

• Cost Savings: Up to 30% material cost reduction thanks to direct compounding.
• Performance Gains: Superior mechanical properties due to optimized fiber dispersion.
• Adaptability: Retrofit capability allows integration into older machines.
• Fast ROI: Potential payback period of less than 12 months.
• Sustainability: Reduced waste and energy consumption.

Retrofit Potential ?

One of the standout features of CFP is its compatibility with existing injection molding presses — even older ones. Through KraussMaffei’s Retrofit program, manufacturers can upgrade their current equipment without investing in entirely new systems, enabling a faster and more cost-effective path to innovation. Sustainability

Technical Highlights at K2025 ?

The GX 650-4300 press used in the demo will feature KraussMaffei’s BluePower package, which includes:

• ? Servo drive for optimized energy efficiency
• ?️ Insulating sleeves to minimize heat loss
• ? Energy monitoring systems for real-time consumption tracking

Key software modules will also be showcased:

• ecoAssistant: Activates energy-saving modes without compromising performance.
• cascadeX: Optimizes filling via three cascaded injection points to eliminate weld lines. Sustainability
• materialX: Adapts the compression curve to each material for higher molding precision.

Why This Matters for the Automotive Industry ?️

Modern vehicles demand components that balance lightweight design, durability, and cost-efficiency. CFP addresses these needs by:

• Reducing vehicle weight for better fuel efficiency and EV range.
• Enhancing part strength to meet safety standards.
• Lowering production costs, making advanced materials more accessible.

Sustainability Impact ?

CFP aligns with the automotive industry’s sustainability goals by reducing energy usage, lowering material waste, and enabling recyclable material combinations. The streamlined process also means fewer production stages, which translates to a smaller carbon footprint. Sustainability

Best Practices for Manufacturers Considering CFP ?

1. Evaluate your current injection molding fleet for retrofit readiness.
2. Train operators on fiber handling and process optimization.
3. Leverage KraussMaffei’s process monitoring tools for quality assurance.
4. Integrate CFP into lightweighting and sustainability strategies.

Conclusion ?

KraussMaffei’s Chopped Fiber Processing represents a significant leap forward in the manufacturing of automotive components. Its cost, performance, and sustainability benefits position it as a key technology for the next generation of vehicle design. The live demonstration at K2025 is set to showcase how advanced engineering can reshape industrial production for a more efficient and eco-conscious future.  Sustainability

? A Major Step Toward Sustainable Energy in Appalachia

In a significant move for both the local economy and environmental innovation, Clean-Seas West Virginia, based in Belle, has begun receiving its first shipments of used plastic feedstock. This milestone signals that the company’s much-anticipated pyrolysis plant is edging closer to full-scale production, slated for later this year.

The arrival of the first truckload of materials marks the beginning of training, research, and evaluation (TRE) operations. These early stages will allow engineers, technicians, and plant operators to fine-tune systems and processes before the facility ramps up to full production capacity.  Sustainability

? Inside the Training, Research & Evaluation Phase

The TRE unit, equipped with advanced pyrolysis technology delivered in July, serves as the plant’s testing ground. This is where operational protocols are perfected, safety checks are completed, and efficiency metrics are gathered.

“This is just one step of many on our path to starting strong on day one of operations,” said Dan Bates, President of parent company Clean Vision Corp. “Even something as simple as unloading one truck now helps us prepare for operating on a much larger scale when we receive three or more truckloads per day.”  Sustainability

? The Technology: How Pyrolysis Transforms Waste into Energy

Pyrolysis is a cutting-edge waste-to-energy process that uses heat and pressure in an oxygen-free environment to break down materials into their basic molecular components. For plastics, this results in the production of pyrolysis oil — a versatile substance that can be refined into fuel or used as a chemical feedstock for creating new products. Sustainability

Unlike traditional incineration, pyrolysis produces minimal harmful emissions, offering a cleaner alternative for managing plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans.

? Why West Virginia?

The Belle facility is strategically located in eastern Kanawha County, giving it access to major transportation routes, an available skilled workforce, and proximity to regional markets for recycled products.

According to Bates, West Virginia’s supportive business climate and central location make it a natural choice for scaling Clean Vision’s plastic conversion network both domestically and globally.

? Economic Impact & Job Creation

The project is expected to create over 40 direct jobs at the plant, with additional indirect jobs in transportation, equipment maintenance, and supply chain operations. At full capacity, the facility will process 50 tons of plastic per day in Phase 1, with expansion potential to reach 100 tons daily. Sustainability

This represents a $50 million investment in the state’s clean energy sector, first announced in 2023 alongside then-Governor Jim Justice, now a U.S. Senator.

? Environmental Benefits

• ♻️ Diverts thousands of tons of plastic waste from landfills
• ? Reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to incineration
• ? Produces cleaner fuels and chemical feedstocks
• ? Helps combat ocean plastic pollution

By offering a viable alternative to landfills and incinerators, Clean-Seas West Virginia is setting a precedent for circular economy practices in the region.

? Timeline & Next Steps Sustainability

The plant’s full commissioning is planned for the fourth quarter of this year. Once operational, Phase 1 will handle multiple truckloads of feedstock daily, scaling operations over time.

? Tracking Success & Reusability

For continuous improvement, Clean-Seas plans to implement advanced monitoring systems that track production efficiency, emissions, and output quality in real time. This data will not only help optimize operations but also ensure transparent reporting to stakeholders and regulatory bodies.