Developed in Europe, the machines are built in Changzhou, China, under the same strict standards as all Engel machines and robots.

Stressing that Wintec is 100%-owned by Engel, Engleder said that the motivation in bringing these machines to the Americas is to provide plastics processors with an “Engel-quality” energy efficient, reliable, durable and compact machine.

Bio Plast Pom has worked with the Gdańsk University of Technology and other scientific centres to design a compostable and biodegradable material based on potato starch – aspiring for reduced environmental impact, lower CO2 emissions, and energy efficiency.According to Bio Plast Pom, NOPLA is not a synthetic material. It is reportedly free of both artificial ingredients and plastics and is not thought to leave behind microplastics when it decomposes.Apparently, the patent-protected material is biodegradable and compostable in a household composter, salt water, freshwater, and soil. It is designed to comply with the EN 13432 composting standards and claims to degrade in 3 to 6 months under household composting conditions.The company says that NOPLA products sink to the bottom of bodies of water and, instead of causing harm to bottom sediments, provide sustenance for living organisms. Furthermore, the material aligns with EU Directive 904/2019 SUP, meaning it can be used to manufacture products like cutlery and straws. It is approved for food contact, with the Polish Institute of Hygiene running tests to ensure it does not migrate. Bio Plast Pom adds that NOPLA products have a footprint of 1.7kg of CO2 per kilogram, compared to the 3.5kg emitted by polypropylene. It is said that the manufacturing process consumes around 30% less energy, leading to a smaller carbon footprint and lower costs. Rather than utilizing chemicals, it is physically and mechanically modified. NOPLA’s biogranulate is suitable for injection moulding, blow moulding, and thermoforming on existing machinery, which is expected to help manufacturers pursue sustainability in their product lines. Also, it is set to avoid recycling fees that are being implemented for plastic products across Europe. Bio Plast Pom has designed, built, and copyrighted an original production line for the biogranulate, and production commenced in May 2023. In a similar development, The National University of Malaysia and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology’s starch-based biopolymer film for application as active and intelligent food packaging was previously nominated for a Sustainability Award under the pre-commercialized Active and Intelligent category.Last year, researchers from Michigan State University’s School of Packaging claim to have enhanced the compostability of PLA by fusing it with starch. The result was hoped to improve the plastic’s compatibility with home and industrial composting processes, thus keeping plastic waste out of landfill.Other companies have also sought to source their packaging materials from natural substances. This includes RAW Packaging’s 'zero tree' concept, in which crop waste like wheat and sugar cane bagasse is converted into packaging – a concept that Jimmy’s Iced Coffee has now adopted across its e-commerce product line.

The hydraulic machines are well established in the Asia/Pacific markets, said Engel, where they are typically used to mold large automotive components and products for the white goods industry. The company introduced the all-electric e-win series in 2017.

Wintec machines are suited for high-volume, single-component injection molding that may not require any special technologies but where quality and process consistency remain important.

Wintec (Changzhou, China), fully owned by Engel, (Schwertberg, Austria), is exhibiting its hydraulic and electric molding machines at NPE2018. The show officially launches the machines’ availability in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.

Editor in chief of PlasticsToday since 2015, Norbert Sparrow has more than 30 years of editorial experience in business-to-business media. He studied journalism at the Centre Universitaire d'Etudes du Journalisme in Strasbourg, France, where he earned a master's degree.

To meet anticipated strong demand for the machines in the Americas and elsewhere, the Wintec plant in China is undergoing a significant expansion. By the end of 2019, production space will more than double and the number of employees will increase by more than 60%, said Engel.

Targeting no frills, general purpose injection molding applications, Engel (Schwertberg, Austria) has brought its made-in-China Wintec machines to the U.S. market for the first time. The company exhibited the hydraulic t-win and all-electric e-win machines at booth W3303 at NPE2018.

There is strong demand for standard injection molding machines without all the bells and whistles but that still deliver the quality and reliability for which Engel is known, said group CEO Stefan Engleder during a press conference today at NPE2018. Wintec machines were designed with this in mind and, as a result, have become quite popular in Asia/Pacific markets. Certain models are now also available for delivery in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.