Extrusion International 2-2026

12 Extrusion International 2/2026 INDUSTRY NEWS New Engineering Of ce Kiefel is strengthening its process engineering as well as its technology and development expertise with a new en- gineering of ce in Heilbronn (Germany). The site has been operational since January 2026 and speci cally expands Kiefel's global network of expertise with additional pro- cess engineering and application-oriented expertise. The new ve-strong team in Heilbronn has many years of experience in the thermoforming industry and compre- hensive expertise in process and application engineering, tool and product design, as well as the design of machine, tools and material. The new employees are fully integrated into the Kiefel organization and work closely with the en- gineering and tooling teams in Freilassing and the Nether- lands (Sprang-Capelle). Sven Engelmann, Vice President – Technology: "The new team in Heilbronn speci cally strengthens our process engi - neering and tooling expertise. Through close collaboration within the global Kiefel network, we can achieve shorter de- velopment paths and greater proximity to our customers." Through cross-site networking, customers bene t from faster knowledge transfer, shorter development cycles and faster industrialization of new packaging solutions. The Heilbronn team supports projects from the early feasibility study phase to series production, thereby also strengthen- ing Kiefel's customer-oriented development and sales sup- port capacities. Christoph Stoye, Site Manager – Process Engineering Heilbronn: “In Heilbronn, we are bringing together a highly experienced team that understands the entire process chain in thermoforming – from the product idea through tooling and process to series production. This team competency brings real added value to our development projects.“ With the new engineering of ce in Heilbronn, Kiefel is un - derlining its ambition to operate worldwide as a technology leader and development partner for brand owners and con- verters – in both plastics and natural ber processing. Kiefel GmbH www.kiefel.com Pioneer of the First Hour Steps Down After More Than 30 Years Management After more than three decades at the helm, founder and CEO Michael Carus stepped down as head of the Renewable Carbon division on 1 March 2026. Lars Börger as the new CEO, will take over this key position of the nova-Institute together with COO Linda Engel, while Carus will remain with the research and consulting com- pany as a senior advisor and share- holder. This change takes place after a one-year transition phase, as planned. This change in leadership marks a new chapter for nova-Institute: the transition from founder Michael Carus to his successor Lars Börger represents both continuity and a fresh start. The internationally renowned institute, a pioneer in the use of renewable car- bon sources, will place an even stron- ger focus on practical research and consultancy projects intended to drive the industry's transition to climate- neutral materials and processes. Carus developed the nova-Institute from a start-up of six people into an internationally leading think tank for renewable carbon, employing around 50 scientists. “Michael Carus laid the foundation for the success story of nova-Institute with his pioneering work. We are very grateful for his extraordinary com- mitment, foresight and responsible handover. We look forward to con- tinuing to develop ideas together and putting our pioneering spirit into prac- tice in the future,“ says Lars Börger, CEO of nova-Institute. “Industrial transformation is more urgent than ever today, and at the same time it rep- resents a great opportunity. As an in- dependent, science-based catalyst and thought leader, we will actively shape this change. Success requires a combi- nation of strategic vision and detailed analysis of sustainability, technology, politics, the market and economic ef- ciency. That is exactly what nova stands for.” The nova-Institute has an interdis- ciplinary team of around 50 scientists who support international innova- tion projects and offer scienti cally sound management and strategy consultancy. The team takes a holis- tic approach, analysing technologies Michael Carus