Since the previous edition of the K Show in 2022, companies, focussing on designing and manufacturing of extrusion and injection blow molding machinery and special tooling had launched a lot of new developments. Many of these state-of-the-art novelties were demonstrated at the K 2025 Show that was held in Düsseldorf, Germany, October 8 - 15 2025.
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The joint booth was showcasing the new vitality of Kautex’s deep technological heritage and the integration of Jwell’s global resources |
Kautex 90th Anniversary: Heritage and Innovation
In January 2024, JWELL Machinery completed its full acquisition of Kautex, Germany, officially inheriting its 90-year legacy of extrusion blow molding technology and brand resources, further strengthening its international competitiveness in the high-end equipment sector.
As a global leader in extrusion blow molding technology, Kautex celebrated its 90th anniversary during the K Show. Since developing its first commercial blow molding machine in 1935, Kautex’s technology has been widely used in the automotive, packaging, and industrial product sectors.
The joint booth was showcasing the new vitality of Kautex’s deep technological heritage and the integration of Jwell’s global resources, providing visitors with an opportunity for interactive exchange.
Tahara presented advanced multilayer blow molding technology
At the K 2025 show, Tahara Machinery Ltd. of Japan, a subsidiary of the Japan Steel Works (JSW), introduced its MBD series: all-electric double station extrusion blow molding machines with internet connectivity.
The range of product sizes for these machines is 300ml to 1.5 liters. The MBD-C33A/54E2Z-AP(C3) at the show was molding three-layer 1L bottles, using Tahara’s own coex die head. The middle layer is composed of post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin.
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The MBD-C33A/54E2Z-AP(C3) at the show was molding three-layer 1L bottles, using Tahara’s own coex die head |
Notably, the machine on display can mold bottles with eco-friendly materials such as PCR, polyethylene containing calcium carbonate, and bio-based resins in the middle layer. Its screw design, featuring barrier flights, a Maddock mixer, and dam flights, ensures excellent mixing and uniform dispersion of PCR materials.
Since launching the world’s first all-electric blow molding machine in 1994, Tahara has built a strong track record of meeting diverse customer requirements, offering screw designs optimized for specific materials.
Using PCR in the middle layer helps bottle molders comply with increasingly strict environmental regulations while reducing material costs. Regrind material can also be used in the middle layer, enabling waste resin reuse. Additionally, adding pigment only to the outer layer helps lower raw material costs.
Though recycled materials can potentially affect appearance or raise concerns about contents contacting them, multilayer bottles solve these issues. Applying virgin resin on the inner and outer layers prevents contact between the contents and recycled or regrind layers. This avoids chemical reactions and protecting the appearance of the bottle.
Tahara machines are equipped with “EWON” for remote maintenance via VPN. By allowing Tahara operators to perform initial diagnosis using the customer’s machine information (logging data) and PLC data (programs and error history), the need for on-site inspections can be reduced. This enables faster on-site support by preparing necessary parts and tools in advance. In some cases, issues can be resolved entirely through remote support, cutting down both the time and cost of dispatching engineers. Moreover, accurately identifying faulty parts helps avoid unnecessary replacements.
Nissei ASB unveiled latest innovations at K2025 Under “All-in-One Sustainable Bottle Solutions”, featuring advanced machines, molding technologies, and cutting-edge bottle designs
Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd., a world leading manufacturer of machines and molds for injection stretch blow molding of PET and other plastics, demonstrated live molding of four separate technologies at the K 2025 exhibition.
Four machines, each from a different Series in the ASB line-up and each showcasing improvements in productivity and efficiency using various technologies, will make live molding demonstrations, with three of the four making their global debuts at the K 2025 exhibition.
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Redefining PET Bottle Production with the Power of 1.5-Step Molding |
1. PF36/36-600 + 500ml water bottle
The PF36 Series is a line of PET injection stretch blow molding machines that merge 1-Step and 2-Step processes into a “1.5-Step” system. The displayed model has 36 injection cavities and 12 blow cavities, producing 500ml bottles at 18,000 units per hour.
Its 3:1 blow-to-injection ratio ensures high efficiency, shorter cycles, and lower operating costs. Compared to equivalent 2-Step systems, it requires only one-third of the floor space, consumes up to 20% less energy by using residual heat from injection, and delivers higher, more consistent product quality without dependence on external preforms.
The machine uses hybrid actuation systems of hydraulics, pneumatics, and servo motors, all managed by ASB’s Vision1™ control system, which supports OPC UA standards for advanced connectivity, integration, remote monitoring, and diagnostics.
Pure Performance: Precision-Molded 500ml Generic Water Bottle
The 500ml, 13gram water bottle is a typical design used in global markets. In line with circular-economy trends the PF36/36-600 will demonstrate molding using 100% recycled PET (R-PET) material without compromising output or product quality.
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Global Debut: Setting the Standard in Compact Preform Molding |
2. PM-90/111N + Preform Molding
The PM-90/111N, ideal for small to medium-scale preform production, offers 12, 18, 24, or 36 cavities depending on preform size.
Its vertical mold clamping and injection system, derived from the proven PF36 Series, delivers precise high-speed performance while minimizing the machine’s footprint. Preforms pass through an integrated cooling system for 3.5 cycles, ensuring stable, fully cooled output resulting in top-quality bottles.
Internal studies show around 40% lower investment cost, 30% less floor space, and up to 20% lower energy use per preform compared to similar machines. Control and monitoring are managed via ASB’s Vision1™ system as standard.
High-Quality Preforms Molded to Perfection
The 10gram preform is suited to generic 500ml water bottles with the neck design conforming to the current European standard for tethered cap retention after opening. Molding resin is 100% R-PET.
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The Next Generation Hybrid Electric for Smarter, Cleaner Bottle Production. |
3. ASB-70DPH/50E + 500ml HDPE trigger spray
The ASB-70DPH/50E is a fully re-engineered version of ASB’s best-selling model, now featuring electric operation of all major movements, including the advanced injection unit and perform stretching, with hydraulics used only where high clamping force is needed.
This hybrid design minimizes energy use, hardware cost, and maintenance while enhancing control and productivity. Energy consumption for driving power is reduced by an estimated 25% compared to the hydraulic version, while faster, more precise servo movements shorten cycle times, boost output, and ensure smoother, quieter operation. Servo-driven stretch rods improve molding consistency, especially with sensitive resins or complex designs.
The machine comes standard with ASB’s Vision1™ control and monitoring system and remains fully compatible with existing mold sets.
Advanced Innovation: Enhanced HDPE Designs Molded by ISBM
HDPE resin offers strong resistance to household products containing chlorine or bleach, while the flawless neck finish, and no weld lines that ensures leak-free performance from the ISBM process has driven steady growth in ASB’s HDPE projects. While ISBM has traditionally produced simple round HDPE containers, ASB’s advanced preform conditioning station now enables non-round and specialty shapes. The high-precision front-face parting line of the blow mold further boosts productivity, increasing moldable cavities of the demonstrated container from 5 to 7 — a 40% rise over conventional designs
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| ASB Unveils World’s First 1.5-Step Double Blow Heat-Set Machine – Advancing Sustainable Bottle Production. Picture: Nissei ASB |
4. HSB12-4N/111N + 2L Returnable & Refillable CSD bottle
ASB introduces the world’s first 1.5-Step machine capable of molding double blow heat-set returnable and refillable PET bottles directly from resin. Combining the strengths of 1-Step and 2-Step molding, it delivers high-quality output in a compact footprint. ASB’s Double Blow Heat-Set technology increases material crystallinity and reduces stress, enhancing thermal stability and resistance to environmental stress cracking — ensuring high reusability even at lighter weights. With sustainability in focus, ASB leverages its packaging expertise and advanced molding systems to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions.
Engineered for Sustainability: CSD Bottles Built for 25+ Return and Refill Cycles
The bottle meets stringent global standards with a 4.2 gas volume rating, making it suitable for all leading carbonated soft drink brands and capable of more than 25 return and refill cycles. Weighing just 90 grams — 7.5% lighter than the industry standard—and made with up to 30% R-PET, it offers superior sustainability. Returnable and refillable PET bottles are about 90% lighter and have a 30% lower carbon footprint than glass. Though twice as heavy as single-use PET bottles, their extended lifespan of around 25 refills means that only 8-10% of PET material is consumed for an equivalent volume of filled product.
The molding machines were demonstrated at K 2025 together with a range of matched upstream & downstream ancillary equipment including chiller, resin dryer, mold temperature controller, mold dehumidifier, conveyor systems, etc.
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BME: А major step forward compared to Magic’s oldest hydraulic Biaxial series |
The space that you need for rPET
At K 2025, the Italian Magic MP s.p.a. presented a range of its blow molding machines. One of the most interesting exhibits was a new BME model.
This injection stretch blow-moulding machine (ISBM) is major step forward compared to the company’s oldest hydraulic Biaxial series. A load of customer-focused technology, which brings many benefits, ranging from energy savings to equipment savings; in addition to the linear movements of preforms and bottles it has also the blowing station in two different phases. Equipment savings make one more major plus. This machine relies on the new system, patented, complete with movable mould carrier to allow the cavities of the blowing mould to be reduced by 50%.
To blow 6 preforms, traditional technology would require 6 blowing cavities, with a clamping force of approximately 30-35 ton. With BME model there are only 3 blowing cavities and the required clamping force is reduced by 40%. Specially designed for customers who need production in limited volumes, this machine allows them to blow simultaneously two differently shaped bottles, with an apparently similar preform and different neck.
The machine can be equipped with in line or 90° injection station. This groundbreaking project will allow the machines to be upgraded and many new details to be introduced.
Applications:
Personal Care & Medical
Bottles for clean rooms, environment friendly and for the consumer.
Cosmetic & Pharmaceutical
High quality and safety for the final user. Simple to recycle.
Household & Cleaning
For high durability bottles, free from contamination and resistant to the surrounding environment.
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Type SB2-150 is a version of the PRESSBLOWER Injection Blow Moulder, designed for bigger lot sizes |
Parts as light as a feather
OSSBERGER Plastics Technology (Germany) is internationally established in the production of bellows for the automotive industry. Products made on its machines are installed in almost all cars worldwide.
The OSSBERGER PRESSBLOWER Techniques enable the production of bellows, shock absorber applications or boots with minimal tolerance ranges.
At K 2025 in Dusseldorf, OSSBERGER demonstrated its PRESSBLOWER SB2-150 model - a version of the Injection Blow Moulder, designed for bigger lot sizes.
The machine works on two production stations at the same time. In addition, by optimizing the motion sequences the cycle times achieved by the previous type SB2/60 can be shortened.
The attached switch cabinet reduces space requirements.
World Premiere: Full Electric Machine for Ultra Clean L-Ring Drums
At the K 2025 show, ST BlowMoulding unveiled a fully electric blow molding machine dedicated to the production of 220 LL-Ring drums. Tailored for ultra-clean applications such as those in the semiconductor industry for wet electronic chemicals, this machine represents a market-first solution.
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The new all electric machine CXT 810 HT CoEx3 for the L-Ring Drums production |
This solution is unique in the market, representing the lowest energy consumption ever achieved in this category combined with the highest compatibility with clean room facilities, lowest contamination by oil, dust and metal ions and highest final product quality. It incorporates:
- A multi-toggle full-electric clamping unit, developed on 2020, now a global market success.
- The exclusive adiabatic "H" extruders for gentle plasticizing and high throughput.
- ABB SynRM motors, enabling exceptional energy efficiency.
- A fully electric3-layer extrusion head, in collaboration with W. Müller.
- The PWDS® system by Feuerherm, fully electric, delivering high-precision wall thickness distribution.
- Special coatings, filtration, and detection systems to meet ultra-clean requirements.
This innovation sets a new standard for energy savings, low contamination, and superior product quality.
The K 2025 visitors had an opportunity to explore ST BlowMoulding’s ongoing advancements:
- All-electric clamping units for machines up to 200tons
- Industry-leading adiabatic extruders and foaming technologies
- High-throughput machines for industrial packaging (L-Ring Drums, IBCs)
- Multilayer extrusion using PCR and PIR materials, in both continuous and discontinuous processes
- Hydrogen liner technologies for composite pressure vessels
- High-end suction blow molding solutions for EV coolant lines
- Dual Head machines with enhanced automation and OEE
- Energy-efficient retrofits for legacy machines (ST and competitors)
- Patented hands-free AHC systems for fast head-tooling changeovers
- A comprehensive portfolio of clamping units, tailored to all application types
- Automated and user-friendly HMI with IO-Link and OPC UA integration
