UNILEVER

Partnership with USAID and EY to combat plastic pollution

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3D printing reaches critical mass in the industry / Companies relying on in-house printing / Time is key factor in development / “Formnext” trade fair in full flight

RECTICEL

Initial move to sell Automotive division / Insulation business to be strengthened

MANAGEMENT

Industry 4.0 spreads slowly in UK, Switzerland and Germany / Companies often lack money and staff / E&Y and Censuswide survey reports

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3D printing heads for small series production / "Formnext" exhibition in Frankfurt a "centre of gravity" / Market expected to triple by 2023 / Quality assurance a difficult issue

OTTOBOCK

German medical technology group mulls sale of plastics activities

KI GROUP POLYMER SUMMIT K 2016

Sino-European relations enter a new stage / Virtual explosion in M&A activities / Exclusive conference during upcoming “K” fair

3D PRINTING

Lack of information and cost are major barriers to adopting technology / German companies have most experience / Global market to be worth above USD 12 bn by 2020 / Ernst & Young report

SANDRETTO

Italian machinery producer once again bankrupt / Plans to discontinue injection moulding activities / 3D printers as the new way forward?

BIRKBY'S PLASTICS

UK injection moulder in administration after failure to find new owner / 370 jobs at risk