ALS User Meeting And Smart Factory Information Day

Digitalisation as a success factor

• Arburg provided practical information on ALS, arburgXworld and Smart Factory
• Practical relevance: Live demonstrations, expert and customer presentations
• Networking: Around 160 participants and specialists engaged in-depth exchange of expertise

Customers and interested parties were able to learn how to use digital tools to keep their production under control at two interlinked events held by Arburg in Lossburg. The Smart Factory Information Day on 26 November +2025 was designed specifically for beginners, while the ALS User Meeting on 26 and 27 November was aimed at users who already use Arburg’s MES. With a total of about 160 participants, both events were fully booked.

The events was designed to provide participants with practical information on how to use digital support to meet the current challenges in their production, as well as the needs of their customers. In addition, there were live demonstrations and best practice examples and also an opportunity to network with other users and with Arburg’s entire “Digital Solutions” team.Peter Kowalewski, Director of IT Digital Industrial Solutions, was delighted with the response: “These two events were attended by about 160 participants, all of whom were thoroughly impressed by the focused transfer of expertise and the in-depth networking”.

Exciting insights into Arburg’s MES and customer portal

The half-day event Smart Factory Information Day was designed by the Digital Solutions team at Arburg as an ’event with in-depth insights into digitalisation for greater transparency, flexibility and efficiency in production’. Among other things, the aim was to get to know and experience Arburg’s digital tools. These include the arburgXworld customer portal and the Arburg host computer system ALS, the company’s MES. This was also an opportunity to learn more about success stories that showcase the advantages of digitalisation. At the user meeting the following day, ALS users then obtained detailed information about the innovations and developments of the Arburg host computer system, the customer portal and the control assistants.

Practical presentations by users for users

On both days, this exclusive expertise transfer event took the form of presentations by Arburg specialists as well as ALS users. Lukas Krüger from Arburg’s Technical Sales department explained how digital assistants can make companies more efficient, while keynote speaker Tobias Herwig, Managing Director of fischer Consulting GmbH, shed light on this topic in his practical presentation entitled “Lean and Digital Processes for Competitiveness in Production”. Further practical insights were provided by Sembach, Novapax, H&K Müller, ZF Lifetec, Trelleborg and Presspart.

“These practical presentations by customers for customers were just as valuable as the opportunity to speak directly with development specialists from Arburg. The consistently positive feedback on our digital products and services once again underlined that we are among the pioneers in the industry when it comes to digitalisation”, said Benjamin Franz, Manager of Digital Solutions who was delighted with the success of these two events.

www.arburg.com

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Iperal Transforms Fresh Supply Chain With Tosca’s Automation-Ready Reusable Plastic Crates

Iperal, one of Northern Italy’s most dynamic supermarket chains, has built its reputation on quality, service and a close connection to the communities it serves. With 56 stores, more than 50,000 employees and an expanding fresh offering, the retailer’s operations have grown significantly since its founding in 1986. This growth reached a new milestone in 2025 with the opening of the Fresh Food Centre in Giussano (MB), a 50,000 m facility designed to manage fresh products and Iperal’s own “Fatto da Noi” (Made by Us) range. Equipped with fully automated systems and powered by 4,300 solar panels, the new hub sets new standards of efficiency, quality and sustainability.

The launch of the new centre prompted Iperal to rethink a long-standing logistical challenge: the reliance on cardboard, plastic and wooden crates to move fruit and vegetables from suppliers to stores. These single-use and mixed-material solutions generated large volumes of waste, contributed to unstable pallet handling, and led to inconsistent in-store presentation across locations. With the opening of the Fresh Food Centre, Iperal saw a clear opportunity to move away from single-use materials and invest in a more efficient, sustainable solution compatible with automation that would support both the company’s growth and its environmental commitments.

Tosca’s reusable, automation-ready plastic crates deliver transformation

Iperal selected Tosca’s Wood Look reusable plastic crates (RPCs) and bins to create a streamlined, sustainable and automation-ready packaging system. Designed for resilience and repeat use, the RPCs combine the aesthetic appeal of a traditional wooden display with the durability, hygiene and product protection of plastic. This wood-look finish helps create clean, attractive and well-organised shelves that elevate the shopper experience and support increased sales. Through Tosca’s pooling model, each crate is collected, cleaned and redeployed multiple times, eliminating the waste associated with single-use packaging and providing a cost-efficient circular solution.

Today, Iperal uses Tosca’s 60×40 and 30×40 RPCs in multiple heights as well as larger bins that move seamlessly from suppliers to the Fresh Food Centre and onward to stores. Their standardised footprint and consistent build quality enable smooth handling, efficient stacking, and uniform presentation of fresh products once in store – an important element of Iperal’s customer experience.

“Our partnership with Iperal is a great example of how reusable packaging can unlock both operational and environmental value,” says Gian Paolo Mezzanotte, Managing Director – Italy, France, Spain at Tosca. “By introducing a standardised,

reusable system, we’ve helped simplify logistics, enhance product quality, and support Iperal’s long-term sustainability goals.”

A visible leap in efficiency, sustainability, and automation performance

Since making the transition, Iperal has observed clear benefits. Pallet stability has increased, making handling safer and more predictable – an essential advantage for an automated facility. The consistent crate dimensions streamline stacking and movement through the warehouse, helping reduce downtime and supporting a smooth material flow. The simplification of waste management has also been significant, with less reliance on single-use materials and fewer disposal processes required.

Tosca’s solutions have integrated into Iperal’s automated systems with ease and delivered measurable improvements in operational efficiency: “Tosca’s automation-ready RPCs fit seamlessly into our existing lines, ensuring smooth handling, consistent stacking, and reliable flow through every stage of the automated process,” explains Lorenzo Zecca – Supply Chain Director at Iperal. We’ve seen faster throughput, fewer stops on the line, and more consistent performance overall. The durability and uniformity of the RPCs have reduced disruptions, improving both efficiency and reliability across our operation and supply chains.”

In stores, shoppers now encounter fresh products presented in a cleaner, more uniform way, reinforcing Iperal’s commitment to quality. The crates’ durability protects produce more effectively during transport, contributing to a reduction in damage and a more reliable supply of high-quality goods.

Environmentally, the shift to reusable packaging supports Iperal’s broader sustainability commitments – reducing packaging waste, lowering CO emissions, and promoting more responsible use of resources. While precise savings are still being measured, the benefits are visible every day in smoother operations, reduced waste, and an enhanced shopping experience for customers.

A growing partnership shaping the future of Iperal’s supply chain

The success of the collaboration has inspired Iperal to expand the use of Tosca’s reusable assets to additional suppliers, including partners in Spain and the Netherlands. The retailer is also exploring ways to enhance its in-store replenishment operations to improve ergonomics and efficiency further. Describing the collaboration as “constructive, productive, and efficient”, Iperal views Tosca as a strategic partner in building a smarter, greener supply chain fit for the future.

www.toscaltd.com

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ALPLA secures grant and set up new recycling company pioneering food-grade HDPE recycling process

Four-year innovation project with NTCP kicks off in the Netherlands

Safe, affordable, sustainable: ALPLA is working on a future-proof solution for food-safe HDPE recycled material. The international packaging and recycling specialist is now evaluating the patented solvent-based process at a pilot plant in Heerenveen in collaboration with the independent technological institute NTCP. The innovation project, which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth, will run for four years. Just in time for the start of the PPWR 2030, the innovative solution will be scaled up to industrial production.

From 2030, packaging in the EU must contain a minimum proportion of recycled material. ALPLA and NTCP are working on a future-proof and affordable solution for plastic food packaging. The patented recycling technology is expected to deliver food-safe HDPE recycled material (rHDPE) on an industrial scale for the first time. Following several years of R&D with successful laboratory results, the two project partners have just started evaluating the solvent-based process at the NTCP site in Heerenveen.

Intensive testing of all process steps of the patented technology will be performed as part of a collaborative innovation project. The aim is to obtain approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the near future. The construction and operation of the pilot plant will provide valuable insights for scaling up the process. ALPLA has set up its own recycling company in the Netherlands for this purpose.

Milestone for the circular economy

“To date, there is no certified process in the EU for the production of food-grade HDPE recycled material. Our highly efficient technology for cleaning and processing post-consumer recycled material could be a real game changer,” explains Michael Heyde, Head of Technology Recycling Division at ALPLA. The company already produces PET and HDPE recycled material in its own recycling division at 14 locations worldwide, with 400 000 tonnes installed and projected recycling output capacity. ALPLA processes most of this material itself into packaging. The future industrialisation of this innovative technology should enable readily available food packaging made from rHDPE for the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) market.

“This cooperation with ALPLA fits perfectly to the core activities and mission of NTCP as an independent knowledge institute, to facilitate and accelerate technology developments with frontrunner parties. We believe that new technologies are needed to completely close the plastics value chain while reducing the amount of waste,” emphasises Martine Brandsma, NTCP’s CEO.

The pilot project is being carried out with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth.

www.alpla.com

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Meusburger Showcases Innovation And Expanded Portfolio At K 2025

Meusburger, the leading standard parts manufacturer, will be presenting its expanded product range and innovative solutions for mould making at the K trade fair in Düsseldorf from 8 to 15 October 2025. As the world’s largest trade fair for plastics and rubber, K is a global hotspot for innovations in mould and toolmaking, offering an ideal platform for Meusburger to demonstrate its engineering expertise and technological leadership. Visitors to stand C30 in hall 1 can look forward to the latest developments in plates, mould bases, components and hot runner systems. In addition to its broad standard range, the company will highlight tailored solutions designed to meet the increasingly complex demands of modern mould making. Meusburger will focus particularly on its current campaign on demoulding and on a special area dedicated to designers.

Product diversity and innovative demoulding solutions

Meusburger provides its customers with a comprehensive range of high-quality plates and mould bases that serve as the foundation of efficient mould production. The raw materials, which are heat-treated for stress relief, guarantee maximum stability, quality, and precision throughout the entire production process. With a high proportion of in-house manufacturing combined with enormous storage capacities, Meusburger ensures remarkably short lead times and reliable delivery even for large orders.

The extensive portfolio also includes high-precision components that are tailored to customer requirements. In addition to guiding elements and ejectors, visitors will discover innovative slide systems, locks, and a wide range of hot runner solutions. By continuously expanding its product range, Meusburger demonstrates its commitment to providing customers with everything they need from a single source. The company’s technical experts are always on hand to advise customers individually, helping them select the right components for their projects.

The latest campaign on demoulding will be a special highlight at the exhibition stand. Regardless of whether customers prefer mechanical or hydraulic demoulding components, Meusburger offers the right solution to optimize production processes. Drawing on decades of engineering experience, the company has developed numerous in-house innovations that make demoulding faster, more reliable, and more cost-effective. These practical solutions support customers in achieving efficient processes, while reducing downtime and extending the service life of moulds. Alongside standard components, Meusburger also provides customised designs and complete solutions, enabling customers to save valuable time in planning, designing, and production.

Digital helpers for everyday design work

In addition to product diversity, Meusburger emphasizes the importance of digitalization in mould and toolmaking. At the trade fair, the exhibition stand will feature a dedicated area for designers, showcasing the diverse functions of the Meusburger online portal. Numerous new features now enable an even more efficient design process—available 24/7 in up to 20 languages, offering maximum accessibility for international customers.

Visitors will also gain a first-hand look at the tried and trusted wizards and configurators from Meusburger, which have been enhanced with clearer, more intuitive functions. Particularly noteworthy is the Meusburger CAD tool, a user-friendly software solution that provides designers with access to the entire Meusburger standard parts library. Kept continuously up to date through regular updates, the CAD tool simplifies design workflows and increases productivity.

The tool not only allows users to configure models but also automatically accounts for the required installation space, eliminating common design errors. Integrated wizards offer step-by-step support when designing mould bases and die sets, helping to streamline tasks that would otherwise be time-consuming. Compatible with a variety of CAD systems, the software can also be used offline, giving engineers greater flexibility and independence in their daily work. This makes it particularly valuable for companies operating across multiple sites or with limited internet connectivity.

Innovation, efficiency, and global reach

By combining its wide product portfolio with cutting-edge digital tools, Meusburger provides mould makers with a powerful mix of innovation and efficiency. The company’s solutions are designed not only to reduce lead times and costs but also to help customers maintain a competitive edge in a globalized marketplace. With its presence at K 2025, Meusburger reaffirms its role as a trusted partner for tool and mould makers worldwide, offering reliable products, practical digital support, and continuous innovation.

https://www.meusburger.com/en-gb

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