"Customers purchase a solution for their plastic parts production, which requires trust."
Thiele & Kor Plastics Machinery has been participating as an exhibitor in the Kunststoffenbeurs since the start of the company. Jan Eiko Kor and Kurt Callewaert, responsible for the Belgian market, have personally been present at the Kunststoffenbeurs since its first edition in the late 1990s, even back when they were with their former employers. Participating in the fair is a no-brainer for them. Jan Eiko Kor explains, 'The Kunststoffenbeurs is a true relationship fair. The entire plastic industry in the Benelux region gathers for two days, creating a meet and greet of customers and suppliers, fostering a lot of interaction between exhibitors and visitors.'
The Kunststoffenbeurs is indeed a relationship fair. The entire plastic industry in the Benelux region gathers for two days: a meet and greet of customers and suppliers, fostering a lot of interaction between exhibitors and visitors. - Jan Eiko Kor
This is the essence of these two days (September 20 and 21 at the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch), as he sees it. And this forms the foundation for future business. "Customers don't just buy a machine; they purchase a solution for their plastic production. For this, they rely on their supplier. No one buys a machine without a good relationship. Because business is built on trust," says Kurt Callewaert. This year, that trust is more crucial than ever, as plastic companies are engaged in the energy transition, seeking ways to be more efficient with materials, and considering the shift towards a circular plastic industry. In short, they are actively shaping the future of the sector. At Kunststoffenbeurs 2023, visitors will meet the suppliers of solutions for these challenges.
Netherlands and Belgium
Jan Eiko Kor, together with Riekus Thiele, founded Thiele & Kor Plastics Machinery in 2011. Later, Riekus' son, Jarno, joined the company. A few years ago, along with Kurt Callewaert, they started the company PlastiKCs in Belgium. The foundation for this partnership was laid at Kunststoffenbeurs 2018. Kurt Callewaert, who has been in the plastics industry for over thirty years, says, 'At the fair, we had a drink together. Riekus and Jan Eiko had the ambition to do more in Belgium, but the results were disappointing. And they wanted to bring someone specifically for Belgium. We seized that opportunity, and since April 2020, Thiele & Kor holds half of the shares of PlastiKCs.' Although starting during the COVID-19 lockdown was not ideal, things are going well now. Jan Eiko still considers the collaboration a great move. 'In 2012, we acquired the agency for Sumitomo Demag for the Benelux. As a Dutch person, it's difficult to do business in Belgium. The differences between the Netherlands and Flanders are significant. Kurt has market knowledge and is well-known in the industry.' According to Kurt Callewaert, it's especially valuable that Belgian customers feel valued because they have a direct point of contact in Belgium. 'The market appreciates this.'
Industry Professionalization
Both veterans in the Benelux plastics industry note that the market has undergone significant changes in recent years. Thiele & Kor Plastics Machinery focuses on the high-end market with brands like Sumitomo Demag and WEMO (automation). Jan Eiko Kor observes that there has been substantial professionalization in the past years. Preventive maintenance, attention to energy consumption, and machine output have become more crucial. Ease of operation is equally vital. 'That's a keyword. It's difficult to find technicians to work on machines, so the controls must be intuitive to maximize output.'
Jan Eiko Kor considers the emphasis on preventive maintenance as one aspect of the sector's professionalization. 'Almost everyone does preventive maintenance; they sign a maintenance contract for the machine.' Both emphasize that the perfect machine, a machine without any problems, doesn't exist. The second best does. The critical point is how quickly the supplier can get a machine back into operation after a breakdown. 'If a machine remains idle for longer due to unavailable parts, it ends up costing much more,' Kurt Callewaert adds.
Acceleration through AI and Digitization
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to accelerate developments in maintenance and ease of operation in the coming years, according to Kurt Callewaert. The setup of injection molding machines will also impact machine uptime. Preventive maintenance will improve as manufacturers can better predict component failures based on available machine data.
Fully Electric Injection Molding Machine
Both note that a specific group of customers now focuses more intently on machine output. They don't buy the cheapest machine; they invest in a machine that offers maximum production efficiency. This naturally leads to fully electric injection molding machines. Kurt Callewaert provides a calculation for a customer: the additional cost of a 50-ton electric injection molding machine is recovered within 2.5 years. This is due not only to lower energy bills but also shorter cycle times and lower maintenance costs. In Japan, Sumitomo Demag's home market, 80% of all injection molding machines are fully electric. In the Benelux, this percentage ranges from 25% to 50%, depending on the clamping force.
While hydraulic injection molding machines are becoming more energy-efficient, the leap with an electric machine is much more significant. 'People may not often believe it, but being 75% more efficient is genuinely realistic,' says Jan Eiko Kor. The electric machine may only capture 100% of the market share in 10 to 20 years, in Jan Eiko Kor's view. 'With machines of 50-ton clamping force, the price difference is relatively large, which is why customers sometimes opt for a hydraulic or hybrid machine,' he explains. In the mid-range market, Sumitomo Demag's 92% energy efficiency makes a world of difference compared to the efficiency of a hydraulic machine, which is around 45%. 'The rest of the energy is lost as heat, which then requires extra cooling. So, you pay for the loss twice.'
Launching a New Agency at Kunststoffenbeurs
During the 2023 edition of Kunststoffenbeurs, Thiele & Kor Plastics Machinery will introduce a new agency: Movacolor. The Frisian company produces high-quality dosing systems for injection molding machines for coloring granules and adding recyclate. The focus of the rest of their presentation is sustainability. This choice isn't surprising, given the societal discussion about plastics. Whenever the topic arises, Jan Eiko and Kurt are ready to respond. Plastic is their passion, and they take pride in their work that contributes to the proper use of plastics. 'Plastic is the most sustainable product there is, but humans mishandle it,' says Jan Eiko Kor. It's politics that manipulate public opinion with misleading representations.
Since the invention of plastics, human life expectancy has increased by decades. We don't want to stop that progress, right? - Jan Eiko Kor
Materials
Both believe that plastics are victims of their own success. The material is too cheap, and consumers no longer see its value. Kurt Callewaert states, 'Playmobil is never thrown away, and that's plastic too. Why does no one discard Playmobil? Because it's expensive.' Moreover, the issue of plastic pollution in the oceans is more prominent outside of Europe. In Europe, a well-established collection system has been put in place to gather used plastics for reuse or, if necessary, incineration. They are occasionally confronted about the industry they work in at private parties, and they have their response ready. 'The outcry about plastics in the oceans bothers me too,' responds Jan Eiko Kor. But then why do we use a layer of cellophane on the inside of paper straws? Or on the inside of containers made from wood fibers? 'If plastic were really so toxic, no patient would come out of a hospital alive. Everything there is made of plastic. We even implant plastic heart valves in people.' Since the invention of plastics, human life expectancy has increased by decades. We surely don't want to halt that progress, right?
Kunststoffenbeurs 2023 will take place on September 20 and 21 at the Brabanthallen in 's-Hertogenbosch. More information about the conference program, floor plan, and general visitor information can be found on this website. Admission is free on both days, and you can register yourself via this page.