PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

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PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast episodes

  • Extrusion innovations from K 2025

    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.

      9 min
    • Changes at Husky, glass fiber dosing, rocking out with Glenn Frohring: Machinery Minutes

      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. 
        • 4 min
      • Wilmington Machinery expanding, robot orders for plastics lag: Machinery Minutes

        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. 
              • 6 min
            • Why should plastics processors and equipment makers care about recyclers' troubles?

              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.

              5 min
            • Wages and benefits on the rise; new thermoformers from WM and Gabler: Machinery Minutes

              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. 
                    • 4 min
                  • AI preserves and shares thermoforming know-how: Machinery Minutes

                    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. 
                          • 5 min
                        • What plastics processors and OEMs are telling us about 2026

                          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. 
                                  • 16 min
                                • Robot gets quick ROI; Dr. Boy goes electric at K: Machinery Minutes

                                  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.
                                        • 4 min
                                      • What will 2026 bring for the plastics industry?

                                        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.

                                                7 min
                                              • New top executives at Netstal Americas, Arburg, Hasco: Machinery Minutes

                                                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. 
                                                      • 6 min

                                                    About PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

                                                    From the publisher's feed

                                                    Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing brings you our podcast! We deliver a quick roundup of three impactful stories on Machinery Minutes every Monday, and commentary and interviews on the second and…