Smart Molding International 2-2025

29 www.smart-molding.com molding technologies the trend in a fast and flexible way. But the cosmetics manufacturer also expects this flexibility from its suppliers. “Short delivery times are vital for us”, emphasizes Gula, who has occasionally purchased a WITTMANNmachine from existing stocks and once bought a SmartPower 300 directly from the booth at the Fakuma. Mono-material packaging in vogue “We are able to fulfill all packaging wishes. Any form and any color – from transparent and matt-finished right up to high-gloss”, says the Production Manager, and then adds that at present primarily high-gloss surfaces generated inside a mold are increasingly in demand. Here, sustainability is also an issue, since metalizing and chrome plating are more and more often dispensed with to protect the environment as well as the staff members. The current trend favors non-coated mono-material packaging, because it is easier to recycle. “We bea r a g reat eco l og i ca l responsibility” emphasizes Waldemar Gula. “It is important for us to include the consumers’ interests in all our decision- making”. On its website, for example, Bell posts information about sustainable production and instructions for correct disposal of the packaging, so that the plastic materials will be returned to the cycle. Every piece of cosmetic packaging leaving the Bell plant in Józefów is provided with a QR code. This gives consumers very easy access to information about the packaging materials used and the correct way of disposal for recycling. “This is the only way for a circular economy to function”, states Waldemar Gula, “by integrating the consumers into our network as part of the value chain.” About The WITTMANN Group The WITTMANN Group is a globally leading manufacturer of injection molding machines, robots and auxiliary equipment for processing a great variety of plasticizable materials – both plastic and non-plastic. The group of companies has its headquarters in Vienna, Austria and consists of two main divisions: WITTMANN BATTENFELD and WITTMANN. Following the principles of environmental protection, conservation of resources and circular economy, the WITTMANN Group engages in state-of- the-art process technology for maximum energy efficiency in injection molding, and in processing standard materials and materials with a high content of recyclates and renewable raw materials. The products of the WITTMANN Group are designed for horizontal and vertical integration into a Smart Factory and can be interlinked to form an intelligent production cell. The companies of the group jointly operate nine production plants in six countries, and the additional sales companies at their 35 different locations are present in all major industrial markets around the world. The author: Susanne Zinckgraf, Head of Strategic Marketing, WITTMANN Group WITTMANN Group www.wittmann-group.com Waldemar Gula von Bell (center) with Bogdan Zabrzewski (left) and Piotr Matusiak (right) from WITTMANN BATTENFELD Polska