Extrusion International 5-2026

20 Extrusion International 5/2026 INDUSTRY NEWS Range of Plastics Processing Capabilities Expanded The SKZ Plastics Center is receiving an S2KRC kneading sys- tem on loan fromKurimoto Ltd. With this addition, the insti- tute is expanding its range of plastics processing capabilities in the areas of materials, compounding, and extrusion. On June 22, the big day nally arrived: The team led by Overseas Marketing Strategy Manager Shigeaki Okamura and Chief Representative Rieko Ishii was delighted to hand over the S2KRC kneader to SKZ Division Manager Dr.-Ing. Johannes Rudloff and his team in Würzburg. The kneader can process a wide variety of material systems in a continu- ous process step. In addition to processing thermoplastic, thermosetting, or elastomeric plastic systems, it is also suit- able for paints, adhesives, battery compounds, and food products. Depending on the material, throughput rates ranging from 5 to 50 kg/h are possible. This makes the sys - tem an excellent t for the SKZ’s pilot plant environment. “Kurimoto’s loan of the kneader represents a valuable addition to the SKZ’s technical equipment. With this tech- nology, we can speci cally expand our research and service portfolio and provide even better support to companies in the development of innovative and sustainable plastic products,” says Rudloff. For Kurimoto, too, this collaboration represents an im- portant step. The company sees the partnership as an op- portunity to further tap into the potential of its technol- ogy in the European market and to intensify the exchange between science and industry. “We are very pleased that the kneader is being used at the SKZ,” says Rieko Ishii of Kurimoto. “The SKZ’s expertise in the elds of processing and plastics engineering provides the ideal conditions for collaborating with interested parties to explore new appli- cations and demonstrate the bene ts of kneading technol - ogy for a wide variety of processing methods.” The systemwill be integrated into the SKZ’s research and development activities and will be available in the future for both publicly funded projects and industrial research collaborations. The SKZ Plastics Center Dr. Johannes Rudloff j.rudloff@skz.de Group photo of Kurimoto and SKZ at the handover of the S2KRC mixer at the SKZ Technical Center (Source: Luca Hoffmannbeck/SKZ) EcoVadis Committed Badge Accreditation Achieved Nexus Packaging is proud to announce that it has been awarded the internationally recognised EcoVadis Commit- ted Badge, marking an important milestone in the compa- ny’s ongoing sustainability journey. This accreditation recognises Nexus Packaging’s commit- ment to responsible manufacturing practices, sustainability and continuous improvement across all areas of its opera- tions. As a specialist extrusion blow moulding manufactur- er, the business acknowledges the importance of maintain- ing strong environmental, ethical, and social governance standards throughout the organisation. Quality Manager, Jim Jack explains: “At Nexus Packaging, we continu- ally challenge ourselves to improve and to build a more sustainable business for the future. Achiev- ing the EcoVadis Committed Badge required us to critically as- sess and strengthen our policies, right through to sustaining the correct practices across the organ- isation. This recognition provides our customers with the assurance that they are partnering with a socially aware and responsible manufac- turer. As a relatively young manufacturing facility, we view this achievement as an important rst step in our wider ambition to make a meaningful positive impact, both envi- ronmentally and through the strong sustainable practices we continue to embed throughout the business.” Nexus Packaging Ltd www.nexpack.co.uk