RotoWorld 1, 2026_ISSUU

A Simpler Method for Better XLPE Rotomolded Parts

by Denis Rodrigue Department Of Chemical Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada

by Sudeep Sarkar | Executive Director, StAR

by Michelle Rose | ARMA CEO

by Susan Gibson | JSJ Productions, Inc.

On the Cover

24. A Simple Method to Improve the Production of Crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) Rotomolded Parts (Part I)

The first part of recent developments.

Denis Rodrigue, Dept of Chemical Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada

30. StAR 2026 Conference & Trade Show

A resounding success in Delhi NCR.

Sudeep Sarkar, Executive Director, StAR

42. Microplastics: What the Noise Is Really About Engaging with the conversation honestly and with eyes wide open. Michelle Rose, ARMA CEO

44. Rick Carlsen and Dave Smith inducted into the ARM Hall of Fame!

Carlsen and Smith receive the highest honor ARM bestows on an individual.

Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc.

08. FROM THE PUBLISHER Technology Drivers Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc.

10. CREDITS

48. ARM REPORT A Year to Celebrate and Dream Big Roto Around the World — The Liquid Revolution

52. ROTO AROUND THE WORLD The Liquid Revolution Ian Hansen, RotaConsult

36. WOMEN IN ROTO

12. GLOBAL CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Global Contributors, Department Contributors, and Issue Contributors 15. UPFRONT Industry News, Trends, and Products 68. GLOBAL CALENDAR Industry Events

Claudia Persico – Persico S.p.a. Vice President and Rotational Division Director Conchita Miranda, Miraplastek – Mexico

39. AT ISSUE

Closing the Loop: Reusing End-of-Life Rotomoulded Products through Matrix Polymers & Replast Partnership Aldo Quaratino, Matrix Polymers

56. PRACTICAL ROTO TIPS Why Your Next Engineering Project Should Be a Capstone Project R. Dru Laws, Brigham Young University – Idaho

58. ARMO NEWS Rotomould2026 Conference & Trade Exhibition

70. ADVERTISERS’ INDEX RotoWorld® advertiser contact information

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Then, Now, and Beyond

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Technology Drivers

The global landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by technology. This shift is evident across various sectors, from supply chain agility (ERP) to enhanced connectivity, sustainability (reducing energy consumption), and globalization. Smaller manufacturers can now leverage digital platforms to reach global markets, allowing them to compete effectively with larger firms. What a game changer!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a crucial role by analyzing data to predict machine failures, enabling predictive maintenance, optimizing production lines, and improving quality control. The Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and cloud computing connect factory equipment, providing real-time visibility into cost performance, while also reducing energy consumption. Additionally, 3D printing facilitates on-demand, customized production, significantly minimizing waste, and allowing for rapid prototyping. Digital Twin technology is increasingly used to create virtual replicas of physical assets, enabling manufacturers to simulate processes, predict errors, and optimize operations before implementation.

In the realm of rotational molding, advanced technology is transforming the process into a highprecision and automated operation. Key developments include automation—such as robotic loading and unloading for enhanced precision and reduced labor costs—as well as Industry 4.0 initiatives, which utilize IIoT sensors for real-time monitoring of mold temperature and pressure. Material innovations are also driving improved performance.

Welcome to the “Technology” issue of RotoWorld!

We are excited to present Part 1 of significant ongoing research sponsored by the Roy Crawford Foundation. This study is led by Professor Denis Rodrigue from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Université Laval in Quebec, Canada. This initial report examines recent developments in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) and highlights its advantages. While XLPE demonstrates considerable improvements over neat polyethylene including enhanced impact strength,

maximum service temperature, and better chemical and electrical resistance, there are still limitations regarding production, reject rates, and end-of-life recyclability as part of a circular economy. These issues will be addressed in Part II of this study, which will be featured in a future issue of RotoWorld®

There is much to celebrate in this issue. StAR (Society of Asian Rotomoulders) and Nordic ARM have held successful conferences in their respective regions, drawing international attendance. We also take pride in honoring Claudia Persico, VP and Rotational Division Director at Persico S.p.A., recognized in Conchita Miranda’s “Women in Roto” for her influential role in the industry. Michelle Rose, CEO of ARMA, contributes a thoughtful and informative piece on “Microplastics,” a pressing issue that is top of mind for us all. Last but certainly not least, we delve deeper into the careers of Rick Carlsen, Director of Engineering at Tank Holding, and Dave Smith, Technical Advisor for Rotational Molding at Muehlstein, both of whom have been celebrated for their induction into the ARM Hall of Fame. Congratulations to these extraordinary industry leaders.

Enjoy the issue!

SUSAN GIBSON Publisher & Editor

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Susan D. Gibson President - JSJ Productions, Inc. susan@jsjproductionsinc.com

TECHNICAL EDITOR

Alvin Spence PhD MEng aspence@centroinc.com

PROCESS EDITOR

Paul Nugent PhD MEng paul@paulnugent.com

DESIGN EDITOR

Michael Paloian President - Integrated Design Systems, Inc. paloian@idsys.com

GLOBAL CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Celal Beysel Chairman - Floteks Plastik beysel@superonline.com

Tom Innis Xcelerant Growth Partners info@xcelerantgrowthpartners.com

Martin Coles Matrix Polymers martin.coles@matrixpolymers.com

Adam Covington Ferry Industries acovington@ferryindustries.com

Mark Kearns Moulding Research Manager m.kearns@qub.ac.uk

Ravi Mehra Managing Director - Norstar International LLC maramehra@aol.com

ADVERTISING AND ART PRODUCTION

Marketing/Advertising Director Jennifer Gibson Hebert Vice President, JSJ Productions, Inc. jennifer@jsjproductionsinc.com

Chief Art Director Anya Wilcox JSJ Productions, Inc. awilcox@designintersection.com

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION ADMINISTRATION

Sheryl Bjorn JSJ Productions, Inc. sheryl@jsjproductionsinc.com

EDITING & TRANSLATIONS

Suzanne Ketron | Oliver Wandres | Sheryl Bjorn

WEBSITE & ONLINE TECHNOLOGY

Jason Cooper JSJ Productions, Inc. jason@bound.by

RotoWorld® is a JSJ Productions, Inc. Trade Publication 625 West Market Street, Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (512) 894.4106; Fax (512) 858.0486 Email: rotoworldmag@rotoworldmag.com and Website: www.rotoworldmag.com

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Advertising: For information on advertising, please contact Advertising Director Jennifer Gibson Hebert, RotoWorld® Email Jennifer Gibson at jennifer@jsjproductionsinc.com

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RotoWorld® is a private, independently owned, quarterly trade magazine for the international rotational molding and plastics design industries. RotoWorld® owns all copyrights on articles published herein unless ownership is otherwise stated. Reproduction of this magazine, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the publisher is not permitted.

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To learn more about our products & material solutions get in touch at:

ALVIN SPENCE

Alvin Spence is Vice President Engineering at Centro, Inc., North Liberty, Iowa. He provides leadership for Centro’s product development team and quality resources. Alvin received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering and PhD from Queen’s University Belfast. aspence@centroinc.com

MICHAEL PALOIAN

Michael is President of Integrated Design Systems, Inc., Great Neck, New York. Over the past 25 years, Mike has developed a broad range of plastic products utilizing various processing methods including rotational molding. Mike’s B.S. degree in Plastics Engineering and Masters in Industrial Design, combined with his extensive experience, has formed the basis for his branded and unique insights into the field of plastics part design. paloian@idsys.com

PAUL NUGENT

Paul is a consultant who travels extensively across six continents assisting clients in many roles from training to expert witnessing. He received his Eng. degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University of Belfast. Paul developed the Rotolog system, the first complete computer simulation (RotoSim), and authored a book entitled Rotational Molding: A Practical Guide.

paul@paulnugent.com

RAVI MEHRA

Ravi Mehra has been associated with the rotational molding industry since the early 1970’s. He is a Past President of ARM – Association of Rotational Molders, and has been inducted into the ARM Hall of Fame. He is the Founding Chairman of StAR – the rotational moulding Trade Association of India. He was the Chairman of ARMO – Affiliation of Rotational Moulding Organizations from 2012 to 2014. Ravi consults internationally with companies in the rotational moulding arena to help their global strategy, facilitate technology tie-ups, and business alliances. maramehra@aol.com

MARTIN COLES

Martin Coles, CEO of Matrix Polymers co-founded the business 30 years ago and is the company’s largest shareholder. Shortly after graduating from London University, Martin began his career in the plastics industry working for a major Italian petrochemical company and soon became passionate about the unique world of rotomoulding. Matrix Polymers are experts in rotomoulding materials and have become a global supplier with compounding and grinding plants in the UK, Poland, Australia, Thailand, New Zealand and Malaysia. The company sells more than $150 million of rotomoulding materials each year and has 230 employees. martin.coles@matrixpolymers.com

CELAL BEYSEL

Celal is Chairman of Floteks Plastik, the pioneer and innovative leader of the rotational molding industry in Turkey and is a Global Contributing Editor for RotoWorld® magazine. Being an ARM member for more than 20 years, Celal has made many presentations at ARM meetings in various countries. He is also active in business and political organizations in his country. Celal has authored numerous articles published in various newspapers and magazines about politics, plastics, rotomolding, and innovation. beysel@superonline.com

ALDO QUARATINO

As Group Technical Director of Matrix Polymers, Aldo Quaratino spearheads the company’s research and development initiatives. He leads a dedicated team in identifying new opportunities and crafting innovative solutions to address the dynamic needs of their customers. Aldo’s deep expertise in polymer science has been the driving force behind many of Matrix Polymers groundbreaking advancements. Under his leadership, the company has developed a suite of high performance polymers that have revolutionized the rotomoulding industry.

ROB MILLER

Rob Miller is Owner/President, Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc./ Rotoload. Rob started in the plastics pneumatic conveying industry in 1986. He has spent his entire career developing, engineering, and designing all types of catalog, standard, and custom pneumatic conveying systems for the plastics industry. He started in the rotational molding industry in 2013, has enjoyed learning the idiosyncrasies of the industry and market, and most of all meeting the people and building relationships for the future. Rob.Miller@wittmann-group.ca

ADAM COVINGTON

Adam Covington is President of Ferry Industries, Inc. in Akron, Ohio U.S.A. Covington has been with Ferry Industries for over 11 years, advanced through the manufacturing, engineering, sales, and service positions within the company and was appointed President in 2019. Adam strives to find solutions for customer’s needs and advance machine technology for the rotomolding industry. He is a graduate of Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. acovington@ferryindustries.com

IAN HANSEN

Ian Hansen has over 30 years of experience in the rotational moulding industry and has presented to conferences around the world on the subject of quality, safety, and tank design standards. Rotomoulders around the globe have problems from time to time. Rota Consult delivers production solutions so rotomoulders can improve productivity and profitability, without wasting more of their valuable time. ianhansenconsult@gmail.com

MARK KEARNS

Mark Kearns is the Rotational Moulding Research Manager of the Polymer Processing Research Centre at Queen’s University of Belfast. He is a Chartered Chemical Engineer with a M. Phil Degree in Rotational Moulding. Mark manages rotational moulding research and development projects for companies across Europe, Australasia, and North America. M.Kearns@qub.ac.uk

R. DRU LAWS

R. Dru Laws, educator and rotomolding expert, graduated from Brigham Young University in 2003 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. In 2005, he graduated top of his class with distinction (honors) from the Queens University Belfast in Northern Ireland with an MSc in Polymer Engineering from their school of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering. He has several rotomouldingrelated patents. Laws is currently a full-time Manufacturing Engineering professor at BYUIdaho, as well as CEO of Halltech Systems and High Pointe Plastics. drulaws @gmail.com

DENIS RODRIQUE

Denis Rodrigue obtained a B.Sc. (1991) and a Ph.D. (1996) in chemical engineering from Université de Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke, Canada) with a specialization in non-Newtonian fluid mechanics. In 1996 he moved to Université Laval (Quebec City, Canada) where he is now full professor. Since then, he has been an invited professor at the University of Guadalajara (Mexico), the Technical Institute of Karlsruhe (Germany), the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), the University of Arts and Sciences of Hunan (China), the Technical University of Lodz (Poland), Polytech Tours (France), and Cracow University of Technology (Poland). His main research areas are in the characterization and the modelling of the chemical, morphological, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of polymer blends, foams, and composites based on thermoplastics and elastomers. His main focus is related to polymer recycling and rheology.

MICHELLE ROSE

Michelle Rose is the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia (ARMA), where she has spent nearly two decades guiding, growing, and championing the industry through change. A natural connector and lifelong learner, Michelle has visited hundreds of factories around the world, gaining an insider’s view of the people, innovation, and quirks that make this global industry thrive. Her leadership blends strategic clarity with genuine care, strengthening governance, building international partnerships, and driving sustainability, training, and advocacy initiatives that support members at every level. Known for her attention to detail and her ability to bring people together, Michelle is a trusted voice in the rotational moulding community and a regular contributor to RotoWorld® magazine.

Why antimony no longer works for modern adhesives

The changing landscape of flame-retardant technology

Fire safety remains a critical concern across industries, with adhesives playing an essential but often overlooked role in preventing ignition, limiting flame spread, and reducing heat release during fire events.

For decades, antimony trioxide (ATO) in combination with halogenated flame retardants has been an industry standard additive in adhesive formulations. However, significant market shifts and regulatory pressures are driving manufacturers to seek more sustainable alternatives.

The adhesives market faces unprecedented challenges with antimony trioxide:

• A staggering 6-10x price increase for ATO in recent years[1]

• Evolving regulatory requirements affecting traditional flame-retardant chemistries

• Increasing demand for alternatives from customers seeking to diversify their material options

These challenges create an urgent need for innovative solutions that maintain performance while addressing cost, regulatory, and environmental considerations.

The multi-industry impact

The implications of these ATO challenges extend across diverse sectors where adhesives play critical roles:

• Construction

Innovative building materials often rely on specialized adhesives for structural bonding, panel installation, and flooring applications. Fire-resistant adhesives must perform reliably in these settings while meeting increasingly stringent building codes and sustainability certifications.

• Automotive

Vehicle manufacturers face pressures of enhanced safety standards and lightweighting initiatives. Adhesives used throughout vehicle assembly require flame retardancy without the environmental concerns associated with traditional ATO solutions. Furthermore, the cost sensitivity to ATO price fluctuations creates significant challenges for maintaining economic viability.

• Aerospace

Perhaps no industry demands higher performance from adhesive systems than aerospace, where flame retardancy is non-negotiable and material certification processes are exceptionally rigorous.

Clariant’s more sustainable alternative

• Addressing these market challenges, Clariant has developed advanced phosphinate-based flame retardants that offer a compelling alternative to antimony trioxide. These innovative solutions represent the culmination of extensive research and development focused on creating more sustainable options without compromising performance.

• Unlike other flame retardants that often relied on halogenated compounds or antimony, Clariant’s phosphinate-based technologies deliver effective fire protection through different chemical mechanisms. When exposed to heat, these advanced formulations can create protective barriers that inhibit flame spread and reduce heat release rates but also help avoiding or delay ignition by quenching flammable gases.

The phosphinate advantage

Clariant’s phosphinate-based flame retardants offer significant benefits across multiple dimensions:

• Halogen-free composition contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), e.g. by promoting safer materials (SDG 3) and enabling circular economy through recycling (SDG 12). In addition, it aligns with the GlobalABC, reducing environmental impact and supporting circular economy principles.

• Versatile compatibility with many different polymer systems enables broad application across adhesive types.

• Comparable loading levels to ATO-based systems, simplifying reformulation processes.

• Competitive cost position despite ATO’s dramatic price increases.

• Superior supply security through Clariant’s robust manufacturing network.

Performance without compromise

The transition from antimony-based to phosphinatebased flame retardants doesn’t require sacrificing performance. Clariant’s solutions have demonstrated equivalent or superior results in key testing protocols:

• Flame spread reduction

• Heat release limitation

• Smoke development minimization

• Char formation enhancement

These performance characteristics ensure that manufacturers can meet or exceed existing fire safety standards while addressing the economic and environmental challenges posed by traditional ATO solutions.

Applications across industries

Clariant’s phosphinate-based flame retardants demonstrate exceptional versatility across adhesive applications:

• Construction adhesives

- Floor installation systems

- Panel bonding formulations

- Structural adhesives for engineered wood products

• Automotive assembly

- Interior component bonding

- Structural adhesives for mixed-material joining

- Lightweight composite bonding systems

• Aerospace applications

- High-performance structural adhesives

- Interior panel installation

- Specialty bonding systems for critical components

The path forward

As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve and sustainability becomes increasingly central to material selection, the transition away from antimony trioxide represents not just a necessity but an opportunity. Clariant’s phosphinate-based flame retardants offer a forward-looking solution that addresses current challenges while positioning manufacturers for future success.

The combination of performance parity, cost competitiveness, and enhanced sustainability creates a compelling case for reformulation. Additionally, the supply security provided by Clariant’s manufacturing capabilities ensures consistent availability – a critical consideration in today’s volatile supply chain environment.

Conclusion

Clariant’s phosphinate-based flame retardants extend beyond adhesives to protect engineering thermoplastics in electrical and electronics applications, wire and cable systems, automotive components, and fiber-reinforced composites.

The steep price increases and regulatory challenges facing antimony trioxide have created an inflection point for adhesive manufacturers. Clariant’s phosphinatebased flame retardants offer a timely solution that addresses these challenges while supporting the transition to halogen-free fire protection products.

By providing halogen-free solutions that compete effectively on both cost and performance, Clariant is enabling manufacturers across construction, automotive, and aerospace sectors to maintain fire safety standards while advancing their environmental commitments. The future of flame-retardant technology lies not in traditional materials like ATO but in innovative solutions that balance performance, the need for more sustainable solutions, and economic viability.

Learn more about Clariant’s solutions for the adhesives and sealants industry by visiting our adhesives and sealants portfolio.

For further insights into sustainable, melaminefree solutions for the construction sector, explore our melamine-free flame retardants.

If you prefer to listen to insights on the future of sustainable flame retardants, an audio voiceover is available.

Author: Sebastian Moschel, Application Development Manager Passive Fire Protection at Clariant [1] https://www.procurementresource.com/ resource-center/antimony-trioxide-price-trend R

LYB names David Dennison as head of investor relations; Dave Kinney to retire

HOUSTON, TEXAS USA AND LONDON, ENGLAND

– (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) recently announced the appointment of David Dennison, a seasoned leader with decades-long service at LYB, as the new head of investor relations, effective May 8, 2026. He succeeds Dave Kinney, who will retire after nearly 35 years of service.

“I am pleased to welcome David Dennison as our next head of investor relations,” said Agustin Izquierdo, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “His significant experience in global petrochemical markets will help us continue to shape investor understanding and foster clear, two-way engagement with the shareholder community.”

David Dennison joined LYB in 2007, and in total brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to the role. He has held leadership roles across the company’s planning, commercial and strategic functions, including leading several Intermediates and Derivatives businesses. Most recently, he served as a vice

president in the Circular and Low Carbon Solutions business. Before LYB, Dennison worked for Eli Lilly and Co. and Albemarle Corp. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from The Wharton School.

“In David, we have a thoughtful leader who reflects the depth and breadth of our leadership development pipeline and management succession process,” said Izquierdo. “LYB will continue to benefit from the wise counsel and perspective of leaders like him, as it has for many years with Dave Kinney. Dave has made meaningful contributions across the organization, applying his leadership and market expertise to support the company’s long-term performance. I am grateful for all he’s helped us accomplish.”

For more information, please visit www. lyondellbasell.com or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn. R

Persistence Market Research

Rotational Molding Machine Market Predicted to See Expansion to US$4.2 Bn by 2033 Driven by Rising Demand for Durable Plastic Products

LONDON, ENGLAND –

The rotational molding machine market is gaining steady traction as manufacturers across industries increasingly prefer rotational molding for producing hollow, durable, and stressfree plastic products. Rotational molding, also known as rotomolding, is a versatile manufacturing process that allows uniform wall thickness, design flexibility, and minimal material waste. These advantages have made rotational molding machines indispensable in applications ranging from water storage tanks and material handling containers to automotive components and recreational products.

According to the latest study by Persistence Market Research, the global rotational molding machine market size is likely to be valued at US$3.0 billion in 2026 and is expected to reach US$4.2 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% between 2026 and 2033. This consistent growth reflects rising industrial demand, technological advancements in machinery, and expanding end-use industries, particularly in emerging economies.

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Market Growth Drivers: Expanding Use of Rotationally Molded Products

One of the primary drivers of the rotational molding machine market is the growing demand for durable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant plastic products. Industries such as water storage, agriculture, and material handling increasingly rely on rotomolded products due to their long service life and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions. This has directly fueled demand for advanced rotational molding machines capable of higher efficiency and consistent output.

Additionally, the automotive and transportation sectors are contributing to market growth by adopting rotational molding for fuel tanks, ducts, and storage containers. The process allows manufacturers to create complex shapes without high tooling costs, making it ideal for low-tomedium production volumes. As cost efficiency and sustainability become critical priorities, rotational

molding machines are gaining preference over traditional plastic processing equipment.

Technological Advancements in Rotational Molding Machines

Technological innovation is playing a crucial role in shaping the rotational molding machine market. Manufacturers are increasingly integrating automation, digital controls, and energy-efficient heating systems into modern machines. These advancements help improve production accuracy, reduce cycle times, and lower energy consumption, making operations more cost-effective for end users.

Another notable trend is the development of machines capable of multi-layer molding and better temperature control. These features enable the production of high-performance plastic products with improved mechanical properties. As industries demand higher quality and consistency, machine manufacturers are focusing on innovation to meet evolving customer expectations, thereby strengthening the overall market outlook.

Market Segmentation: By Machine Type

By machine type, the rotational molding machine market is segmented into Rock & Roll, Shuttle, Carousel, and Swing Arm machines. Rock & Roll machines are widely used for producing long and narrow products such as kayaks and tanks, offering controlled biaxial rotation. Shuttle machines are gaining popularity due to their flexibility and ability to handle multiple molds efficiently, making them suitable for varied production needs.

Carousel machines dominate large-scale production environments as they allow continuous operation with multiple arms for heating, cooling, and loading. Swing Arm machines, on the other hand, are preferred for medium-scale operations due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Each machine type caters to specific production requirements, contributing to diversified demand across industries. Get a Customized Market View here https:// www.persistencemarketresearch.com/requestcustomization/35950

Market Segmentation: By Application

By application, the rotational molding machine market serves Automotive, Material Handling, Water Storage, Agriculture, and Toys and Recreation sectors. Water storage remains one of the largest application areas, driven by rising demand for durable tanks in residential, industrial, and agricultural settings. Rotomolded tanks offer superior strength and resistance to UV radiation, making them ideal for long-term use.

The agriculture sector is also witnessing increased adoption of rotational molding machines for producing silos, feeders, and chemical containers. Meanwhile, the toys and recreation segment benefits from the process’s ability to create safe, colorful, and complex shapes. This wide application base ensures sustained demand for rotational molding machines across multiple end-use industries.

Market Segmentation: By Capacity

Based on capacity, the market is categorized into Small Capacity, Medium Capacity, and Large Capacity rotational molding machines. Small capacity machines are primarily used by small manufacturers and startups focusing on niche or customized products. These machines offer affordability and flexibility, making them suitable for limited production runs.

Medium and large capacity machines dominate industrial-scale production, particularly in automotive, water storage, and material handling applications. Large capacity machines are designed for high-volume manufacturing and large-sized products, offering improved productivity and operational efficiency. The growing need for scalable production solutions is expected to boost demand across all capacity segments.

Market Segmentation: By Region

Regionally, the rotational molding machine market is segmented into North America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia and Oceania, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America holds a significant market share due to advanced manufacturing infrastructure and strong demand from automotive and industrial sectors. The presence of established manufacturers further supports regional growth.

East Asia and South Asia and Oceania are emerging as high-growth regions, driven by rapid industrialization, infrastructure development,

and increasing demand for plastic products. Europe continues to focus on energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing technologies, while Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are witnessing gradual adoption supported by agricultural and water storage applications.

Competitive Landscape and Company Insights

The rotational molding machine market is moderately consolidated, with key players focusing on product innovation, strategic partnerships, and geographic expansion. Companies are investing in R&D to develop advanced machines that offer higher efficiency, automation, and lower operating costs. Competitive differentiation is increasingly based on technology, customization capabilities, and aftersales support.

• Persico Group

• Rotoline

• Caccia Engineering

• STP Rotomachinery

• Reiloy USA

• Ferry Industries

• KraussMaffei

These players play a crucial role in shaping market dynamics by introducing innovative solutions and expanding their global footprint to cater to growing demand.

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Future Outlook: Opportunities and Market Potential

Looking ahead, the rotational molding machine market is poised for steady growth, supported by expanding end-use industries and continuous technological improvements. Sustainability trends are encouraging manufacturers to develop machines compatible with recycled and bio-based polymers, opening new opportunities for eco-friendly production.

Moreover, increasing infrastructure development and water management initiatives in developing regions are expected to drive long-term demand. With the market projected to reach US$4.2 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 4.9%, rotational molding machines will remain a critical component of the global plastics manufacturing ecosystem, offering reliability,

flexibility, and cost efficiency across applications. Explore the Latest Trending Research Reports:

• High Purity Lignin Market News - https://www. persistencemarketresearch.com/marketresearch/high-purity-lignin-market.asp

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Broadway

Named HydroGraph

For more information, contact Persistence Market Research, Second Floor, 150 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2DQ, United Kingdom, USA Phone: +1 646-8786329, UK Phone: +44 203-837-5656, Email: sales@ persistencemarketresearch.com, or Web: https:// www.persistencemarketresearch.com R

Qualified

Compounding Partner, Boosting Graphene Capabilities Across UK & Europe

SUFFOLK, ENGLAND

– UK masterbatch specialist

Broadway is now a certified HydroGraph Compounding Partner, following successful completion of their rigorous performance testing. The certification process evaluates dispersion capability, processing performance, quality control standards, and commercial readiness to support graphene-enhanced formulations at scale. Broadway has already demonstrated its commercial readiness in the graphene market by launching GrapheneXcel™, its proprietary range of grapheneenhanced masterbatches.

HydroGraph’s Fractal Graphene™ materials, including its flagship FGA-1 product, are engineered to deliver performance improvements at significantly lower loading levels compared to conventional nanoplatelet graphene materials. This partnership supports HydroGraph’s strategy of enabling commercial adoption of graphene through a qualified network of compounders capable of integrating Fractal Graphene™ into scalable thermoplastic formulations. Global demand for advanced composite materials continues to grow across automotive, packaging, electronics, and infrastructure markets, where manufacturers seek lighter, stronger, and more sustainable material solutions.

“Broadway has demonstrated both technical capability and commercial readiness for grapheneenhanced materials,” said Kjirstin Breure, President and Chief Executive Officer, HydroGraph. Certified compounding partners play a critical role in accelerating graphene commercialisation by translating advanced materials into scalable

industrial formulations. Broadway’s ability to move quickly from formulation to production supports faster customer adoption of Fractal Graphene™ in high-value applications such as packaging, construction materials, and industrial components where performance, durability, and material efficiency are critical.”

“We are proud to have achieved certification as a HydroGraph Compounding Partner,” said Stephen Rayner, Technical Director, Broadway. “Our experience in advanced masterbatch formulation and underwater pelletising technology enables consistent dispersion of graphene at low addition rates. We look forward to supporting customers seeking enhanced mechanical and functional performance in polymer applications through the integration of Fractal Graphene™.”

As part of HydroGraph’s Compounding Partner Programme, certified partners such as Broadway are qualified to support customers seeking performance improvements, lightweighting, and functional enhancements using graphene at low addition rates.

HydroGraph is a leading producer of pristine graphene using an “explosion synthesis” process, which allows for exceptional purity, low energy use, and identical batches. The quality, performance, and consistency of HydroGraph’s graphene follow the Graphene Council’s Verified Graphene Producer® standards, of which very few graphene producers are able to meet. For more information or to learn about the HydroGraph story, visit: https:// hydrograph.com. R

Southco Expands Southeast Asia Footprint with Chon Buri Facility Opening

Southco is proud to announce the grand opening of its new facility in Chon Buri, Thailand marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion into Southeast Asia.

Southco Thailand Grand Opening

This facility will enhance our ability to serve customers more effectively by reducing lead times, strengthening supply chain resilience, and positioning Southco’s innovative, world-class operations closer to the dynamic markets.

Spanning over 2,255 square meters, the new facility will focus on the production of Captive Screws, Electronic Access Latches, Ejectors, Injection Molding, and Clean Room manufacturing for Quick Release Adapters. This investment underscores Southco’s dedication to upholding global quality standards while providing outstanding products and services.

The grand opening event was a celebration of culture and achievement, featuring traditional Thai performances and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Colleagues and business partners gathered to commemorate the occasion, highlighting our unified vision for growth and innovation in the region.

This opening came on the heels of an outstanding year for Southco, marked by record growth and the introduction of new capabilities and facilities worldwide. The Chon Buri factory is poised to play a pivotal role in delivering cutting-edge solutions to customers throughout Southeast Asia.

Southco is the leading global designer and

manufacturer of engineered access solutions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we understand that first impressions are lasting impressions in product design. For over 70 years, Southco has helped the world’s most recognized brands create value for their customers with innovative access solutions designed to enhance the touch points of their products in transportation and industrial applications, medical equipment, data centers and more. With unrivalled engineering resources, innovative products and a dedicated global team, Southco delivers the broadest portfolio of premium access solutions available to equipment designers throughout the world.

For more information about Southco, please visit www.southco.com. R

A flagship for chemical production: BASF inaugurates world-scale Verbund site in China

ZHANJIANG, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, SOUTHERN

CHINA – BASF recently celebrated the official inauguration of its newly built, world-scale Verbund site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province in southern China. Covering an area of around four square kilometers, it is more than a major BASF project in the chemical growth market of China. “Zhanjiang shows what the future of chemistry looks like: efficient, digital and sustainable by design. The site showcases a smart

integrated Verbund structure on an industrial scale,” said Dr. Markus Kamieth, CEO of BASF, at the ceremony attended by representatives from government, customers, business partners and employees.

At the Zhanjiang site, BASF employs over 2,000 people and will produce a diversified portfolio that includes basic chemicals, intermediates and specialty chemicals for the transportation, consumer goods, electronics, home care and personal care industries.

“Bringing this site to life took real ownership, speed and an exceptional level of commitment from our BASF team. Completing a project of this magnitude and complexity on time and under budget is remarkable. I want to thank everyone involved both at the site and worldwide who made this possible,” Kamieth said. “This investment shows confidence in the world’s largest chemical market in the long run and will be an important element of our ‘Winning Ways’ strategy,” he added. The majority of the products manufactured in Zhanjiang will directly serve customers in China, fully aligning with BASF’s global “local for local” approach. The project was completed on schedule and well below the original budget, with an investment of around €8.7 billion.

“I am proud of BASF’s innovative strength as the basis for the start-up of the most sustainable integrated chemical site in China, and the successful rampup of the steamcracker in record time,” emphasized Dr. Stephan Kothrade, member of the Board and Chief Technology Officer of BASF SE, who is responsible for the Asia Pacific region. “It sets new benchmarks for sustainable chemical production in China and worldwide,” Kothrade added.

process multiple types of feedstocks, such as naphtha and butane.

BASF has successfully started up 18 plants, 32 production lines, and is producing more than 70 products. With the proven Verbund concept with long value chains, BASF offers a broad, highly diversified product portfolio from the segments Chemicals, Materials and Nutrition & Care. This integration and scale enable competitive cost positions, significantly lower CO₂ emissions and reliable supply to serve multiple end markets. “This makes us an attractive partner for our customers in China,” said Haryono Lim, President, Mega Projects Asia, BASF. “Together with customers and partners, we will drive innovation and transformation forward in one of China’s most economically dynamic regions,” he added. Thus, the site provides an important platform for BASF’s future growth in China.

By using Verbund integration, process innovations and renewable energy, CO₂ emissions at the site can be reduced by up to 50 percent compared with a conventional petrochemical site. Long-term green power purchase agreements and investments in an offshore wind farm enable the site’s electricity supply to be 100 percent renewable. “Innovative technologies are also being used for the steam cracker – the starting point of various value chains at the Verbund site,” Kothrade said. It has a capacity of 1 million tons of ethylene per year and is the world’s first cracker equipped with main compressors (e-drives) powered by 100 percent renewable energy, supporting the production of high-quality, low-CO2products. The world-scale flex-feed steam cracker is designed to

BASF announced the Zhanjiang project in 2018 and laid the foundation stone the following year. The first production plant to begin operation at the Zhanjiang site was for engineering plastics in 2022; it was followed by a thermoplastic polyurethane plant in 2024. At the turn of 2025/2026, BASF began production in the first value chains in the Verbund and successfully ramped up the steam cracker in record time.

The Zhanjiang integrated site is BASF’s seventh Verbund site worldwide and the third largest after Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Antwerp, Belgium. It will be operated solely under BASF’s responsibility.

BASF has been active in Greater China for over 140 years. Today, BASF serves almost all key industries in the region. In China, BASF has a strong production, sales and innovation footprint with large sites in Shanghai, Nanjing, Chongqing and Zhanjiang as well as numerous smaller sites across the country. In 2025, BASF achieved sales of around €8.2 billion with customers in Greater China and employed almost 13,000 people. R

A Simpler Method for Better XLPE Rotomolded Parts

Part I

Denis Rodrigue

Department Of Chemical Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada

Several polymers can be used to produce rotomolded parts, but the majority are based on different grades of polyethylene (PE): high density PE (HDPE), linear low density PE (LLDPE), linear medium density PE (LMDPE), low density PE (LDPE), etc. The main reason is related to their relatively low costs, easy processing, wide processing window (temperature range), good stability/resistance, and the possibility to get them in a wide range of sizes (powders, micropellets, pellets) and melt flow index (MFI). Although PE has good overall properties, there are two main limitations being their low maximum service temperature (below 100 oC) and limited strength (tensile and impact) compared to other polymers. This is why several methods were developed to overcome these limitations (adding reinforcements or additives), but one of high interest is to crosslink the polymer macromolecules.

Crosslinking refers to the generation of intramolecular and intermolecular chemical (covalent) bonding (Figure 1). The reaction involves the scission of chemical bonds in PE (backbone and/or branches) by absorbing highenergy radiation/crosslinkers to form free radicals. These free radicals, being highly reactive (short life time), will combine to generate the carbon-carbon (C-C) crosslinks.

Different crosslinking technologies for PE are available, which can be classified into chemical and physical methods. In chemical crosslinking, a chemical substance (initiator) is added in the compound (polymer + additive package) to create the free radicals via thermal

decomposition (high energy activation). This is usually done by using azo, silane, or peroxide compounds. In this case, the crosslinks are produced during the molding step; i.e., in the melt state before cooling down (solidification). On the other hand, physical crosslinking involves different types of radiation (microwave, e-beam, UV, gamma, X-ray, etc.) by exposing a molded part to high-energy sources. This step is usually done after the parts are molded (in the solid state) as a post-molded treatment. Each crosslinking method has some advantages and limitations. One drawback of chemical crosslinking is that residues from the thermal decomposition of the crosslinkers remain in the final parts, which is not the case for physical crosslinking. This can be a problem for some specific applications such as food, medical, and pharmaceutical contact.

Crosslinking is widely used in rotomolding to produce parts requiring high chemical and thermal resistance, such as fuel tanks and different chemical containers. Table 1 outlines

the main changes associated with crosslinking in terms of chemical, mechanical, and physical properties. The process is also widely used in other applications/ processes including automotive, liners, foams, cables, and wires, as well as pipes and fittings. The global crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) market is expected to reach 8.5 billion USD for 2025 and grow by 7.7% for the period 2026-2032 to reach 14.3 billion USD[1]. AsiaPacific (China, India, Japan, and South Korea) holds the largest market share with 40%.

Chemical Crosslinking of PE

As discussed previously, chemical crosslinking involves the addition of chemical compounds called crosslinking agents to generate free radicals. Chemical crosslinkers are usually classified into three groups: peroxide, silane, and azo. Peroxides are the most used for large-scale commercial and industrial applications. The main peroxides used for chemical crosslinking are based on benzoyl and dialkyl compounds, but dicumyl peroxide (DCP) is the most commonly used.

These chemicals decompose at a specific temperature and attack the PE macromolecules to generate free radicals. In

melt-blended with the peroxide and other additives (colorant, pigments, etc.) via extrusion (twin-screw). However, the

Property After Crosslinking

Temperature Resistance

Chemical Resistance

Impact Resistance

Abrasion Resistance

Environmental Stress

Tensile/Flexural Strength

Elongation At Break

Table 1: Changes in the properties of PE after crosslinking, with +++: highly improved, ++: significantly improved, +: improved, =: no significant changes, and -: decreased.

“FOR PE, THE MAIN PROBLEM IS TO INTRODUCE THE CHEMICAL CROSSLINKERS INTO THE RESINS.”

general, “crosslinkable” resins are commercially available which are compounds containing the matrix, additive package, and a fixed level (concentration) of a specific crosslinking agent.

For PE, the main problem is to introduce the chemical crosslinkers into the resins. For good distribution (material uniformity), the polymer can be

melting point of PE (around 100140 ºC depending on the grade) is very close to the thermal decomposition temperature of the peroxide. In a previous study, it was reported that DCP starts decomposing around 120 ºC [2] This implies that due to the high shear and temperature inside the extruder, partial decomposition of the peroxide occurs limiting

its efficiency at a later stage (i.e. when used in rotomolding parts). This is why an improved method to introduce the chemical crosslinker was developed.

As most rotomolders are aware of powder technologies (grinding, mixing, handling, characterizing, etc.), the improved method is based on equipment and process already available in the industry. As presented in Figure 2, the methodology is composed of two main steps. The first step involved a dry-blending (solid state) of the rotomolding grade of PE with the peroxide crosslinker (also a powder) to get a homogeneous mixture. This can be done using rotating drums, high sheer mixers, turbo mixers, etc., as done for pigment dry-blending. Then, a soaking treatment is performed by placing the homogeneous mixture in an oven above the melting point of the crosslinker. For example, DCP is completely melted above 55 ºC and the “liquid” can be easily absorbed into the PE resins. The process is quite fast since the PE powder (small particles) has a high specific surface area (total contact area per unit volume) to absorb the crosslinker. The treated powder (i.e. PE + DCP) can now be directly used for rotomolding using standard optimized conditions (temperature, time, rotating speed, etc.) for crosslinked parts. Actually, the second step (oven) might be eliminated if the mixer is run at a temperature between the melting point of the crosslinker and the melting point of the resin with a security factor (for example 10 ºC away from both transition temperatures). Several advantages are

associated with the improved method. First, there is very negligible thermal, chemical, physical, and mechanical degradation of both the polymer and crosslinker related to their processing (lower temperature involved). Second, the equipment is less expensive and easier to operate (extruder + pulverizer vs. mixer + oven). Third, it is easier and faster to switch from one formulation to another (purging vs. cleaning). Also, the formulation (i.e. crosslinker concentration) can be controlled locally (on the production floor) depending on the level of crosslinking (crosslink density = the number of crosslinks per unit volume, see ASTM D1998 or D2756 for example) required, which depends on the final applications and target properties (cost/performance ratio). Finally, different resins/ grades (polyethylene, polyamide, etc.) and crosslinker (peroxides or others) can be used.

Finally, the improved method was found to be very useful to produce a wide range of formulations and materials to further improve the final properties of rotomolded parts. For example, we introduced wood powder (different mesh sizes) into the dry-blending step (Figure 3) to produce rotomolded wood plastics composites (WPC) [3] . The results were very interesting as the presence of wood particles increased the mechanical strength of the parts, its sustainability (biosourced reinforcement content) and its aesthetic aspect (natural look), while the crosslinking agent was found to act as both a crosslinker for the PE matrix and a coupling

agent between the wood and PE to improve interfacial adhesion. This combined effect led to significant increases in a wide range of properties (mechanical and thermal) for improved parts. A typical example of a rotomolded part is presented in Figure 3.

Conclusions

In this first part on recent developments related to

crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE), the advantages of this material were presented. An overview of the different techniques (chemical and physical) to crosslink PE (and other polymers) was made and a comparison was performed in terms of chemical, mechanical, physical, and thermal properties. In general, chemical crosslinking is more expensive than physical crosslinking in terms of raw

materials and operation costs, but does not require specialized equipment and involves a single step (no post-treatment).

Although XLPE shows significant improvement over neat PE (high impact strength and maximum service temperature, improved chemical and electrical resistance), there is still some limitations associated with the parts (production rejects, endof-life) in terms of recyclability (circular economy). This issue will be discussed in the second part of this series on XLPE.

More information on the subjects discussed in this article and related ones can be found in a review paper [4].

Acknowledgements

To perform all the experimental work related to this article, financial support from the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM) was obtained via the Crawford Education and Development Foundation.

References

1. https://www. psmarketresearch.com/ market-analysis/cross-linkedpolyethylene-market-report

2. Hibal Ahmad, Ehsan RostamiTapeh-Esmaeil, Denis Rodrigue, The effect of chemical crosslinking on the properties of rotomolded high density polyethylene, Journal of Applied

Polymer Science, 141(1), e54744 (2024). DOI: https://doi. org/10.1002/app.54744

3. Hibal Ahmad, Denis Rodrigue, High-performance woodreinforced crosslinked high-density polyethylene composites, Polymer Engineering & Science, 64(6), 2459-2475 (2024). DOI: https:// doi.org/10.1002/pen.26702

4. Hibal Ahmad, Denis Rodrigue, Crosslinked polyethylene: A review on the crosslinking techniques, manufacturing methods, applications, and recycling, Polymer Engineering & Science, 62(8), 2376-2401 (2022). DOI: https://doi. org/10.1002/pen.26049 R

February 2–4, 2026 | Delhi NCR

The StAR 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show in Delhi NCR, organized by the Society of Asian Rotomoulders (StAR), from February 2–4, 2026, was a resounding success that brought together over 120 global professionals to highlight the industry’s shift toward high-value, innovative rotational moulding under the theme “Roto 360.”

Featuring an Interactive Seminar, Technical Presentations, and a Trade show, the event earned a 4.7/5.0 overall rating, setting a new benchmark for the Asian Rotomoulding Sector.

The Theme

The Conference theme, “Roto 360: Innovation, Impact and Intelligence,” captured the evolving and fast-growing landscape of the rotomoulding

“THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST CONFERENCES IN RECENT YEARS. BOTH THE DESIGN SEMINAR AND ALL THE PRESENTATIONS WERE TOP-NOTCH AND CAPTIVATED THE ATTENDEES.”

—Dr. Marek Szostak, ARMO Chairman / Rotopol

“IT WAS AN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-ORGANIZED AND IMPACTFUL EVENT. WE TRULY APPRECIATE THE EFFORT AND LEADERSHIP THAT WENT INTO MAKING THE CONFERENCE SUCH A REWARDING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL INVOLVED.” —Ranbir Kooner, Matrix Polymers, UK

“THE TEAM FOUND THE CONFERENCE HIGHLY INFORMATIVE AND ENRICHING, WITH STRONG TECHNICAL DEPTH ACROSS ROTOMOULDING DESIGN, MATERIALS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE.” —Team KK NAG, Pune

Ravi Mehra, StAR Chairman, Introductory

Michael Paloian, Seminar Presenter, explaining his Design

Participants of the Seminar with the Presenter

industry, particularly in India. It underscored the sector’s transition from traditional water tank manufacturing to diversified, high-value, application-driven products, strengthening its global presence. The program was carefully designed to deliver a comprehensive, world-class experience covering technology, design, sustainability, and market intelligence.

The Attendees: 141 Including Spouses & Others

The three-day event brought together over 120 delegates representing the entire rotational moulding value chain, including rotomoulders, machinery and mould manufacturers, raw material suppliers, consultants, and designers. The Conference

also welcomed 32 international participants from 15 countries, enriching discussions with global perspectives and technological insights.

Serving as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, the event highlighted emerging trends, innovative solutions, and industry best practices. It also fostered meaningful networking, strategic collaborations, and stronger global connections within the rotomoulding community.

Besides attendees, there was a participation of spouses and others, which brought vibrancy and colour to the event.

The Seminar

The event opened on February 2, 2026, with a full-day Interactive Seminar on Rotomoulding Design

led by internationally acclaimed designer Michael Paloian of Integrated Industrial Design Systems, USA. The session delivered comprehensive insights into product design principles specific to rotational moulding, covering geometry optimization, material behaviour, wall thickness control, mould design, structural performance, and cost-efficient strategies. Through practical case studies and industry examples, participants gained valuable knowledge on innovation, value engineering, and converting concepts into commercially viable products. The highly interactive format encouraged active participation and knowledge-sharing, benefiting both emerging and experienced professionals.

The seminar was widely appreciated for its clarity, practical relevance, and actionable insights, earning an overall feedback rating of 4.5/5.0 (“A” ranking).

The Trade Show

Running alongside, a live and vibrant Trade Show featured 16 prominent suppliers showcasing their latest products, machineries and moulds, raw materials, technologies, and innovative solutions. The Trade Show floor became a vibrant hub of interaction, enabling direct engagement between the suppliers and rotomoulders.

The

Conference

The Conference was held on Feb 3 and 4, 2026 having more than 17 insightful technical presentations. The sessions covered many aspects of rotomoulding, including the fundamental concepts and advanced developments in

Trade Show Exhibitors – 16 Companies

Alok Masterbatches Pvt. Ltd.

Country Trade Show Exhibitors Country

India Mplast India Ltd India

Ecobright Polyplast India Na Roto Machine & Mould Pvt. Ltd.

Exxon Mobil India Pvt. Ltd.

Greenage Industries Pvt. Ltd.

India

India Orex Rotomoulding Poland

India Phychem Technologies Ltd.

Ingenia Polymers India Polymerlink India Pvt. Ltd.

India

India

Jaljog Rotomould India Reinhardt Teknik India

Matrix Polymers Uk Shandaliya Technoplast India

Ml Industries

India Wuxi Yisong Rotomoulding Technology Pvt. Ltd.

China

“Presentation topics & agenda were well designed & thoughtful, covering most of industry relevant topics related to roto value chain. As leading industry group for rotational molding in the region, StAR is doing great work & hope it continues & grows at more larger scale next year.

—JATIN ASHARA, EXXONMOBIL, INDIA

“The presentations covered almost all relevant topics and were of great content and value. A well organised event with a neatly structured program and the truly international participants.” — VENKIT MAHADEVAN, POLYMERLINK INDIA

rotational moulding, including materials, process optimisation, product development, quality enhancement, and emerging global trends. The technical program was well received and generated engaging discussions among participants. The topics covered several areas of contemporary rotomoulding and included:

• Roto-Industry Insights: Global Trends – Local Impact; Innovations Shaping the Future By: Jin Han Kon – Matrix Polymers, UK

• Closing the loop on recycling of Crosslink By: Venkit Mahadevan - PolymerLink, India

• Efficient Machines = Profit+ By: Rustom Patel – Reinhardt Teknik, India

• From Innovations to Impact: Rotomoulding Materials for India’s Next Wave of Applications By: Ravi Kadivar – Greenage Industries, India

• Value added solutions for Rotomoulding By: Kishora, VK –ExxonMobil Company, India

• Top Ten Considerations When

Designing a Product By: Michael Paloian – Integrated Design Systems, USA

• What’s New At FLOTEKS –New Thinking By: Celal Beysel –Floteks, Turkiye

• Right the First Time – Rotolining By: Martin Spencer – Unique Roto, UK

• Poly Tanks Welding – How to when it goes wrong? By: Ian Hansen – Roto Consultant, Australia

• Roto moulding LLDPE using different metals for moulds By: Prof Marek Szostak, Poznan University, Poland

• ESG Integration: The New Edge in Manufacturing Excellence By: Arnab Dey – Welspun BAPL, India

• Innovative Flame-retardant solutions for Rotomoulding

By: Aldo Quaratino - Matrix Polymers, UK

• Design Challenges in Custom Rotomoulding By: Satish Gokhale

– Design Directions, Pune

• Aluminum Moulds Design & Key Features + Roto Industry in China By: Harry Huang – Yisong Rotomoulding Technology, China

• Innovations in Mould Design for Custom Roto-Moulding By: R K Sethi – Maharashtra Maha Polyplast, India

• From Agriculture to Semiconductor Industry – How Transformation Happened? By: Kevin [Yi Ching Tseng] –TaFong Plastics, Taiwan

• Premium Antimicrobial Solutions- LG PuroTec By: Mineseok Kang – LG Electronics, S Korea

The Governing Body Meeting and the Annual General Meeting

The Governing Body of StAR met on Feb 1 2026 to discuss on the rundown of the show and also to deliberate and finalise the events and activities of the Society in 202627. StAR also conducted its Annual General Meeting 2026 on Feb 3, 2026 and presented the activities of 2025-26 besides ratifying the new Governing Body of 2026.

The Entertainment

Adding to the professional engagements, StAR curated highly charged evening events and entertainments, which provided relaxed yet productive environments for relationship building, industry camaraderie, and fun. The functions included live music on Saxophone and

Keyboard to popular tunes and dance performances with cocktails during the Networking Dinner evening and traditional Indian Kathak Dance Sequences during the Gala Dinner evening, which were appreciated by the participants.

The highlight of the Gala Evening and Dinner was the Awards and Recognition Ceremony, where

6 StAR Member Organizations, completing 20 years of association with StAR, were felicitated in appreciation of their longstanding contribution to the Society. These member companies were:

• Supreme Industries Ltd.

• Prabh Dayal Om Prakash Infrastructure Ltd.

• Nilkamal Industries Ltd.

• Design Directions Pvt. Ltd.

• Phychem Technologies Ltd.

• Welspun – Sintex

The Sponsors of StAR 2026 were also formally acknowledged for their funding support in making the event a grand success.

The Feedback

There is highly encouraging feedback received from

attendees. For the first time in StAR’s Conference history, the speakers collectively achieved an outstanding overall “A” rating, with individual session scores exceeding 4.0 out of 5.0. The overall Conference experience and event management were rated an impressive 4.7 out of 5.0, setting a new benchmark for excellence. R

Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors

GreenAge Industries

Matrix Polymers

Polymerlink

Reinhardt Teknik

EXXON Mobil

Ingenia Polymers

M L Industries

MPlast

NARoto

LG Electronics

Phychem Technologies

Alok Masterbatch

Ecobrighte Polyplast

Vectus Industries

Jaljog Rotomould

Shandilya Techno Plast

Wuxi Yisong Rotomoulding

CLAUDIA PERSICO

Persico S.p.a. Vice President and Rotational Division Director

Last year, during the Executive Spring meeting in Italy, we had the opportunity to visit Persico’s facility near Bergamo. It was an interesting tour where we learned a lot about this outstanding company and its great Vice President and Rotational Division Director, Claudia Persico.

Today, I am pleased to share my conversation with Claudia, a woman who has dedicated her career to serve an industry she loves.

After graduating in Marketing and Corporate Communication in Milan and gaining international experience in the United States with a competitor, Claudia joined her family company, Persico Group, in 1998. Persico is a multinational leader in molds, presses, plants, and automated solutions for various high-tech sectors.

Today, she is also Vice President of Confindustria Bergamo, with delegations for internationalization, Europe, and gender equality; Vice President of Federmeccanica, with responsibility for gender culture; member of the Council of Mechatronics Groups of Confindustria Bergamo; board member of the JEC Group; GammaDonna Ambassador; Executive EMBA graduate from Politecnico di Milano; and member of the SPS Italy Trade Fair Scientific Committee.

Claudia, how did you first join the family business and, once inside the group, what led you to get involved specifically in the rotational molding division?

I officially joined Persico Group over 2 decades ago, but in a way, I’ve been part of it my whole life. Growing up, I was surrounded by the company’s energy, innovation, and strong sense of community. When I joined, I immediately found my passion in rotational molding — a field that perfectly combines technology, creativity, and sustainability. It offered the chance to bring innovation to a process often considered traditional, and that challenge immediately captured my interest.

Persico Group is globally recognized for its technology and innovation. How would you describe the company’s evolution and its current position in the market?

Persico has always evolved by anticipating customer needs and investing heavily in R&D. From our beginnings as a toolmaker to becoming a global provider of turnkey solutions — including automation, IIoT, and digital integration — we’ve continually adapted. Today, Persico stands out for its ability to deliver fully customized, automated systems across industries, maintaining a balance between innovation and flexibility.

Although Persico serves multiple industries, you’ve recently placed special attention on North America. What motivated that focus, and what opportunities do you see in this region?

North America is a key market for us, especially in the rotational

molding and automotive sectors. There’s a strong drive toward innovation, sustainability, and reshoring of production — values that align perfectly with Persico’s capabilities. Our focus is on building long-term partnerships, supporting customers with advanced automation, and offering local technical service to strengthen our global presence.

We feel a strong responsibility toward our employees, customers, and community. My leadership style reflects that — I believe in gentle leadership, based on empathy, collaboration, and empowerment. Our people are our greatest strength, and I try to foster an environment where innovation and care go hand in hand.

“BEING A FAMILY BUSINESS MEANS WE THINK IN GENERATIONS, NOT QUARTERS.”

Persico has been a family-owned company for generations. How has that heritage influenced your leadership style and the company’s culture?

Being a family business means we think in generations, not quarters.

As a global supplier of machinery and technological solutions, what sets Persico Group apart from other players in the field? Our uniqueness lies in our ability to design and manufacture everything in-house — from the

mold to the automation system and the final process. This vertical integration ensures total control over quality, timing, and innovation. We don’t offer “standard machines”; we offer tailor-made solutions developed side by side with our customers to meet their specific production needs. We assist our customers

leadership and competence have no gender. Over the years, I’ve learned that authenticity is the best response. I focus on competence, consistency, and empathy. And I’m proud to see that diversity is increasingly recognized as a source of innovation and strength, not an exception.

“LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT AUTHORITY, BUT ABOUT MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.”

during the entire production process: from the design to the material testing, from the equipment manufacturing to the pre-series production, from the in-house installation to the aftersales assistance.

You’ve often spoken about the importance of continuous learning. What role have education and personal innovation played in your career?

Continuous learning has been essential for me. For instance, recently I pursued an Executive MBA at Politecnico di Milano to combine my technical background with a strategic mindset. And I am still studying! I believe that curiosity and openness to change are vital — they keep you grounded yet forward-looking, both in personal life and business. Learning also means listening to your team, to customers, and to the market.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in such a technical and traditionally male-dominated industry?

The biggest challenge is often perception — proving that

Persico Group is known for its strong commitment to sustainability and technological innovation. How are these values integrated into your global growth strategy?

For us, sustainability and innovation are inseparable. We design technologies that optimise energy use, reduce waste, and support lighter, recyclable materials. We also invest in automation that improves efficiency and safety. Our approach is holistic — combining environmental sustainability with the sustainability of people and processes.

What advice would you give to the next generation— especially women—who want to build a career in industrial or technology sectors?

Never give up! Be curious, be brave, and believe in your abilities. Don’t be afraid to enter technical fields — they offer endless opportunities for creativity and impact. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, and remember that leadership is not about authority, but about making a positive difference.

Finally, how do you envision the future of rotational molding, and what role do you see Persico playing in that future?

I believe rotational molding is entering a new era — one defined by automation, digitalization, and advanced materials.

At Persico, we aim to lead this transformation, making rotomolding more efficient, precise, and sustainable. Our goal is to bring the same level of technological excellence to this field as we’ve achieved in automotive and other sectors.

Over the years, Claudia has helped guide the Group’s growth strategies, driving a decisive manufacturing evolution toward technological neutrality, environmental sustainability, and circular economy. She has focused on investing in processes that reduce consumption and promote the use of renewable resources in industries such as automotive, aerospace, marine, urban mobility, and biomedical engineering.

Mother of two, she firmly believes in gentle leadership — a balance of empathy and determination — and in the constant pursuit of what’s new and meaningful.

I really enjoyed getting to know much more about this wonderful woman, and I hope you have also enjoyed reading this article. See you soon, coming back to America for a new conversation with another Woman in Roto. R

Closing the Loop: Reusing End-of-Life Rotomoulded Products through Matrix Polymers & Replast Partnership

The plastics industry is entering a new phase. Across the value chain from polymer producers and compounders to moulders and end-users, there is a growing recognition that the future of plastics lies in circular material flows rather than linear consumption. For the rotational moulding industry, this transition offers particularly strong opportunities.

Rotational moulding is known for producing long-lasting, durable products. Water tanks, fuel tanks, containers, playground equipment, agricultural products, and industrial components can remain in service for decades. Unlike many plastics applications, rotomoulded parts are rarely single use. They are often reused multiple times throughout their lifetime before eventually reaching the end of service.

Yet when those products finally reach end-of-life, large volumes of valuable polymer remain embedded within them. Rather than allowing this material to enter waste streams, the industry now can recover, reprocess and reintroduce it into new applications.

Recognising this opportunity, Replast and Matrix Polymers have recently entered into a collaboration focused on recovering end-of-life

rotomoulded products and transforming them into reusable feedstock for new rotational moulding applications. The initiative demonstrates how cooperation across the supply chain can unlock both environmental and commercial value.

Rotomoulding and the Case for Circularity

Rotational moulding is a unique manufacturing process in which polymer powder most commonly polyethylene is heated and rotated inside a mould to produce hollow parts with uniform wall

thickness. The process is widely used across industries including water management, agriculture, construction, transportation, and consumer goods.

Companies such as Matrix Polymers, with more than three decades of experience in material development, supply specialised powders, compounds, and engineered polymers designed specifically for the rotomoulding process. These materials enable moulders to manufacture products with exceptional durability and performance.

However, the longevity of rotomoulded products, their

greatest strength, also creates a long-term challenge. When products eventually reach the end of their life cycle, the material still retains significant value. Recovering that value rather than discarding it is central to the circular plastics economy.

Recovering Value from End-ofLife Products

Recycling initiatives, led by organisations such as Replast, focus on collecting, sorting, and processing post-industrial and post-consumer plastic products. Through advanced mechanical recycling processes, these materials can be converted into new compounds suitable for manufacturing.

The process typically involves several key stages:

• Collection and sorting of endof-life rotomoulded products

• Mechanical recycling, including shredding, cleaning, and regranulation

• Compounding and quality control to ensure consistent performance

• Distribution through material partners, such as Matrix Polymers, who help reintroduce recycled materials into the rotomoulding supply chain

Matrix Polymers supports this process not only by distributing recycled materials but also by engineering rotomoulding compounds that meet the processing and performance requirements of manufacturers. Through this approach, valuable polymers can be returned to production rather than lost to landfill.

Environmental Advantages

The environmental benefits of this approach are significant.

Reduced carbon footprint

Using recycled plastics can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with producing virgin polymers from fossil feedstocks. In some applications, the carbon footprint of a product can be reduced by up to two-thirds when recycled

Cost competitiveness

Recycled materials can provide a cost-effective alternative to virgin polymers, particularly during periods of rising feedstock prices.

Supply chain resilience

By creating secondary raw material streams from end-oflife products, companies can complement traditional polymer supply sources and reduce exposure to raw material volatility.

“RECYCLING EXTENDS THE LIFE OF POLYMER MATERIALS AND REDUCES RELIANCE ON NEW PETROCHEMICAL RESOURCES.”

material replaces virgin polymer.

Lower resource consumption

Recycling extends the life of polymer materials and reduces reliance on new petrochemical resources. This contributes to more efficient use of natural resources and helps lower the environmental impact of plastics production.

Reduced landfill and waste

Rotomoulded products may remain in use for decades, but when they are eventually discarded, recycling prevents valuable material from entering landfill or the natural environment.

Economic Opportunities

Beyond sustainability, circular material systems also offer important economic advantages.

New business models

Circular material flows enable new approaches such as product take-back programmes, closedloop recycling systems, and collaborative material recovery networks. These models strengthen relationships between recyclers, material suppliers, and moulders.

Maintaining Performance Through Material Science

One of the historic barriers to recycled plastics has been concerns over material performance. However, advances in recycling technology, compounding, and polymer science have significantly improved the quality and consistency of recycled materials. Through careful formulation and technical expertise, recycled polymers can now deliver processing behaviour

and mechanical performance comparable to virgin materials in many applications.

Material specialists such as Matrix Polymers play an important role in this transition, ensuring that recycled powders and compounds maintain the flow characteristics, durability and consistency required for highquality rotomoulded products.

Building a Circular Rotomoulding Industry

The partnership between Replast and Matrix Polymers illustrates how collaboration across the value chain can accelerate the transition toward circular plastics.

By combining Replast’s expertise in material recovery

and recycling with Matrix Polymers experience in material engineering and global distribution, the two organisations are helping to create a system in which end-of-life rotomoulded products become feedstock for the next generation of products.

This model moves the industry closer to a true closed-loop system, where materials remain valuable resources long after their first use.

A Sustainable Future for Rotomoulding

The rotomoulding industry is uniquely positioned to embrace circularity. Its products are durable, long-lasting, and typically made from materials that can be effectively recycled and reprocessed.

By recovering end-of-life products and transforming them into new raw materials, the industry can reduce environmental impact, strengthen supply chains, and unlock new economic opportunities.

Through innovative recycling processes and partnerships such as the collaboration between Replast and Matrix Polymers, the rotomoulding sector is demonstrating how plastics can remain valuable, reusable resources across multiple life cycles.

Closing the loop is no longer an aspiration — it is becoming an operational reality for the industry. R

ROTOMOULDING SOLUTIONS

I help organisations around the world solve real rotomoulding problems and improve their operational performance and effectiveness. My knowledge is built around 40 years of real life experience working within the rotomoulding industry, as a supplier, as a moulder and now as an independent consultant. For more information contact ianhansenconsult@gmail.com or www.ianhansenconsult.com

MICROPLASTICS

What the Noise Is Really About

Michelle Rose, ARMA CEO

Microplastics are dominating headlines, sparking Senate inquiries, and prompting debate within the scientific community. As an industry built on plastic, it’s important we engage with this conversation honestly and with eyes wide open.

It would be hard to have missed the wave of alarming stories over the past year or two. Microplastics in our blood. Microplastics in our brains. Microplastics in everything from the deepest ocean trench to the food on our plates. The topic has captured public imagination and concern, in a very real way.

Here in Australia, that concern has reached the steps of Parliament House. In November 2025, the Senate’s Community Affairs References Committee formally launched an inquiry into the Impact of Microplastics and Other Toxics on Human Health, with submissions closing in March 2026 and a reporting date of 26 May 2026. The inquiry examines microplastics alongside toxic and often referred to as “forever chemicals”, and whatever findings emerge could shape regulation, public perception, and market expectations for years to come. For our industry, that’s worth paying close attention to.

What are microplastics and where do they come from?

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimetres.

They come from two main sources. Primary microplastics are manufactured intentionally, found in things like cosmetics and synthetic textiles. Secondary microplastics result from larger plastic items breaking down over time through UV exposure, physical abrasion, and weathering.

79% of all plastic ever produced has ended up in the environment or in landfill. That statistic is at the heart of the problem.

What the science says and where it gets complicated

The research consistently points to single-use plastics, disposable packaging, and poorly managed plastic waste as the biggest contributors to microplastic pollution. It is estimated around

There is no doubt that microplastics are present in the environment. They’ve been found in oceans, soils, freshwater systems, and in human tissue samples including blood and lung tissue. I have seen them when doing an Operation Clean Sweep

Nurdle Hunt. The concern is understandable.

However, a significant debate has emerged about the quality of much of this research. Highprofile studies claiming to find microplastics in human brains and arteries have been challenged by researchers from over 30 institutions worldwide, led by Imperial College London and the University of Queensland. Their concern, published in The Guardian: Environment and Health in early 2026, is that the analytical methods used to detect microplastics in human tissue are still developing and in some cases may be producing false positives.

The technical issue centres on a testing method called Py-GC-MS. When biological tissue is analysed, fat molecules can break down into fragments that look chemically identical to polyethylene. Since human brains are roughly 60% fat, this creates a significant risk of skewed results. Australian environmental chemist Cassandra Rauert from the University of Queensland has noted that this technique is currently unsuitable for identifying certain plastics in human tissue without extensive controls, controls that many published studies simply didn’t run.

The researchers aren’t saying we should ignore the issue. They’re saying the science needs to be done more rigorously before sweeping health conclusions are drawn. As Professor Barron from the Imperial team put it: “There is huge public interest in microplastics and health, and that makes it even more important that we do not run ahead of the evidence.”

The global chemicals industry is responding

It’s not just academics calling for better science. At an international level, the global chemicals industry is actively investing in getting this right. The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) has established the Microplastics Advanced Research and Innovation Initiative (MARII) — a global platform bringing together scientists from industry, academia, and research institutions to share information, align on testing methods, and develop the rigorous data needed to properly assess the risks microplastics pose to human health and the environment.

MARII recognises what many researchers are now saying openly: that a lack of standardised, validated testing methods has made it impossible to draw reliable conclusions from much of the existing peer-reviewed literature. The initiative is working to close that gap, not to dismiss concerns, but to ensure that the science informing policy and public understanding is genuinely robust.

Where is ARMA in this

Closer to home, microplastics is a topic now firmly on the agenda of the newly formed Australian Plastics Industry Alliance — a body bringing together associations from across Australia’s plastics sector to speak with a unified and informed voice on the issues that matter to our industry.

As ARMA CEO, I recently attended a webinar dedicated entirely to the microplastics issue. The session covered the full landscape: what microplastics are and where they come from, the current

state of scientific and regulatory assessments, key areas of concern, what further research is needed, what industry is already doing, and importantly, how we as a unified plastics industry should be thinking about and responding to the Senate inquiry.

While microplastics as an issue does not currently have a direct operational impact on rotational moulding, that is precisely why now is the time to be part of the conversation. Waiting until regulation lands on our doorstep is not a strategy. Being informed, engaged, and present at the table, while policy is still being shaped is how our industry protects itself and demonstrates the responsibility and leadership our members and community expect of us.

What does this mean for us?

The Senate inquiry’s reporting date of May 2026 will likely generate further media coverage and potentially new regulatory recommendations. As an industry, we are best served by getting ahead of that conversation rather than reacting to it.

Microplastics are a real environmental issue. The science around human health impacts is still evolving, and some of the most alarming headlines have been built on research the scientific community itself is now questioning. What is not in question is the broader need for the plastics industry to take responsibility for the full life cycle of the materials we work with.

As rotational moulders, we have a compelling and honest story to tell. Let’s make sure we’re telling it clearly and confidently. R

References: Australian Senate Community Affairs References Committee, Inquiry into Microplastics and Other Toxics on Human Health (2025–2026); Imperial College London / University of Queensland, Environment & Health (2026); ICCA Microplastics Advanced Research and Innovation Initiative (MARII); Fortune, February 2026; Chemistry World, February 2026.

RICK CARLSEN

INDUCTED INTO ROTATIONAL MOLDING HALL OF FAME

A Career Marked by Innovation, Leadership, and Commitment

Rick Carlsen, a longtime leader and innovator in the rotational molding industry, has been honored with induction into the Rotational Molding Hall of Fame. This accolade recognizes his influential career spanning several decades, marked by technical expertise, strategic vision, and an authentic leadership style that has positively shaped the industry.

Carlsen’s journey in rotational molding began at Solar Plastics, a company with deep ties to his family. “The reason I’m here tonight is because of my family,” Carlsen stated during his induction speech. His connection to Solar Plastics traces back to the early 1960s, when his grandfather did legal work for Eagle Plastics, the precursor to Solar Plastics. “The name came from the idea that we could mold any color or shape under the sun,” he explained. “Years later I asked, ‘Yeah, we can—but should we?’”

In 1970, Carlsen’s father joined Solar Plastics, intending to stay only temporarily before graduate school, but his passion kept him there for more than forty years. Rick grew up immersed in the business environment, recalling childhood visits to company sites and farm shows, where he experienced firsthand “the smell of money,” as his father affectionately described it. “Before I joined the business,

ARM was already part of my life,” Carlsen recalled. His parents were ARM members, and although he never attended meetings as a child, the

with his father not only taught him the technical and business aspects, but also important negotiation skills. “I learned the power of uncomfortable silence—

association’s influence shaped his early experiences.

Despite professional advice against joining the family business, Carlsen embraced the challenge, beginning his career at Solar Plastics in sales. He fondly remembers how traveling

something I still use today,” he remarked, highlighting how those lessons continue to influence his approach.

After a decade in sales, Carlsen shifted to product and process development, research and development, and manufacturing

innovation. “It was a great move. I learned the difference between ownership, management, and leadership—and I was having fun again,” he said.

Under his leadership and along with partners, Solar Plastics navigated global challenges, demanding customer requirements, and tight timelines. “Our team’s motto was, ‘He who speaks least, wins,’” Carlsen noted, emphasizing the value of thoughtful leadership in highpressure situations.

In late 2017, Carlsen and his partners sold Solar Plastics, an important transition marked by the promotion of key team members like Sam Rosen, who went from salesman to company leader. Reflecting on this period, Carlsen expressed pride in the company’s legacy and its prepared future.

Carlsen’s next chapter began in late 2022 when Tank Holding Corporation acquired Solar Plastics. Transitioning to his role as Director of Engineering at Tank Holding presented new challenges and opportunities. “Everything changed—the molds, materials, customers, cycle times, secondary processing— everything except the science,” he explained, noting how this required a complete mental reset. “My self-rated roto knowledge (based on a 1-10 scale) dropped from a solid 4 to a soft 2.”

Despite the steep learning curve, Carlsen described this phase as rejuvenating. “I work with amazing people from across the industry who share openly and want to learn together. Some days, internal meetings feel just like ARM committee meetings. I’m having more fun than ever,” he said.

Carlsen’s contributions to ARM have been equally significant. Joining the ARM board in the mid-2000s, he helped revive the organization from financial and operational difficulties. Rejoining the board in 2018, he found himself leading during the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, virtual meetings, and a full management transition.

he shared. He also paid tribute to his wife Kimberly with a mix of humor and affection. “They say you marry your opposite, and I did. Kimberly’s kind, patient, caring, gluten free, chronically late, and barely five feet tall. “Thank you for being my best friend and for holding everything together when I’ve been on the road.”

“Not quite what I signed up for,” he joked, “but it reaffirmed my belief in the organization. At ARM, when you get a few 2s and 3s together on that 1-10 knowledge scale, suddenly you’ve built an 11—and that’s when the fun stuff happens.”

Throughout his remarks, Carlsen expressed deep gratitude to his family, colleagues, and friends who have supported his journey. “My parents, Chuck and Corky, have been incredible role models—showing me how to be a good partner, parent, and citizen,”

Carlsen also reflected on the sacrifices involved in a demanding career. Recognizing his daughter, Callie, and his son that couldn’t attend due to school activities, he said, “I’ve calculated that I’ve missed 2-3 years of my children’s childhoods due to work trips. He expressed hope that his children will find similar fulfillment and purpose in their own careers. Rick Carlsen’s induction into the Rotational Molding Hall of Fame honors a career defined by innovation, leadership, and collaboration, with a legacy. R

DAVE SMITH

Hall of Fame Inductee and Industry Leader in Rotational Molding.

Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc.

Dave Smith, a distinguished figure in the rotational molding industry, was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, a recognition that highlights his extensive leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication to advancing the field. His contributions have been felt both nationally and internationally, reflecting a career marked by significant achievements and a genuine investment in people.

Smith’s leadership roles include serving as President of the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM) and the Chairman of the Affiliation of Rotational Molding Organizations (ARMO). His service in these positions, demonstrated not only his forward-thinking vision, but also his commitment to fostering community within the industry. Known for his mentorship, Smith has earned widespread respect as a knowledgeable guide and tireless advocate for the next generation of molders.

At ARM meetings, Smith is regularly seen engaging with newcomers, answering questions, and helping them understand the molding process. His approachable nature and generosity highlight the welcoming spirit of the Association. Smith’s persistent efforts to support ARM members underscore the personal connections he values deeply.

Smith’s professional journey

“I AM INCREDIBLY HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD—AND GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS JOURNEY POSSIBLE.”

— DAVE SMITH

began outside of rotational molding, with eleven years in retail management at Tractor Supply, culminating as a Zone Manager overseeing nine stores. Afterward, he worked briefly for an agricultural manufacturer before joining Agri Plastics. Here, he worked alongside industry veterans Rae Johnston and Carl VanGilst, from whom he gained invaluable knowledge. Smith notably recalls this early phase as foundational, stating,

“I learned a great deal from Rae Johnston and Carl VanGilst, two individuals many in this industry will remember.”

In 1988, Smith transitioned briefly out of rotomoulding into rapid injection molding of fiberglass parts at Osborne Industries in Kansas. However, his passion for rotational molding drew him back in 1995 when Johnston and VanGilst invited him to join Behlen Plastics in Columbus, Nebraska. Smith

played a key role in expanding the company’s facilities across several states until the Indiana facility was sold. He then became President of Rotational Molding Technologies, the succeeding company, until his retirement in 2018 after a 23-year tenure.

Even as he planned retirement, Smith’s dedication to the industry remained strong. That same month, he accepted a part-time

This position expanded his global reach, fostering new relationships and further strengthening international ties within the rotational molding community.

Throughout his career, Smith has embraced the importance of global friendships, citing lasting connections with industry colleagues from Australia, South Africa, and Canada. One memorable personal moment

marriage, as well as his children and grandchildren who were present during his Hall of Fame induction. He noted, “Brenda, my wonderful wife, has been my travel companion for more than two decades... I suspect more people recognize her at these events than they do me.”

In his acceptance speech, Smith remarked, “I would once again like to thank the members

role as a Product and Process Advisor with Muehlstein, a key supplier to Romotech and a longtime friend. Smith noted, “It turned out to be the perfect opportunity and a chance to stay involved, work with great people, and remain connected to the many friends I’ve made throughout this industry and around the world.”

Smith’s involvement grew internationally when, in 2020, he took on the role of ARM representative on ARMO’s board.

Smith shared was attending the 2012 ARMO Conference in Lyon, France. Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower at sundown, illuminated in pink, Smith celebrated the birth of his granddaughter Aubrey. “To this day, she likes to think she was born in Paris,” he said with affection.

Smith expressed gratitude for the support network behind his success, particularly acknowledging his family. He honored his wife Brenda, with whom he has shared 52 years of

of the Hall of Fame for making this moment possible. I also extend my sincere gratitude to Adam Webb and Anna Singer for their continued support—without their efforts, we might not have the strong association we enjoy today.”

Dave Smith’s Hall of Fame induction exemplifies the impact of his personal investment in others and a lifelong commitment to advancing the field on both national and global stages. R

The mission of the Association of Rotational Molders is to promote, educate, and inspire the rotomolding industry. For more information, visit ARM’s website at www.rotomolding.org or contact the Association at 630.942.6589 or info@rotomolding.org.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A Year to Celebrate and Dream Big

Dear friends,

Ten years ago, I wrote my president’s message about making ARM’s 40th anniversary an unforgettable celebration. We brought more than four hundred rotomolders together in New Orleans, we welcomed a new Technical Director, and we proved once again that this Roto Family of ours is something truly special. Now here we are at our 50th. Can you believe it? I remember writing back then that we decided not to wait for the 50th to have a party. Well, the 50th is here now, and I can promise you we will celebrate it all year long. From those 21 companies that met in cold Chicago in 1976, to the worldwide community we are today, we have built something extraordinary and every one of you has been part of that story. But celebrating our history is only half of the equation. The other half is making sure ARM keeps growing and evolving for the next fifty years. That is why I want to share three goals I am focused on for 2026:

• Fund relevant research. Technical knowledge has always been the heart of what makes ARM valuable. We need to continue investing in research that pushes our process forward and gives our members a real competitive advantage.

• Use AI and our new website to serve you better. With the launch of our redesigned website, we are collecting better data about our members’ specialties, capabilities, and your questions. We want to use these tools, including AI, to provide more personalized service so that ARM works harder for each of you individually.

• Celebrate our 50th anniversary all year. This will be a celebration of who we are and where we are going. Every gathering will carry the spirit of this milestone.

Speaking of gatherings, I hope you are already making plans for our Belfast Meeting in June. We will arrive on June 8th for tours, sessions, and networking through June 11th, with a food and drink tour on the morning of June 12th. Belfast holds a special place in the history of rotomolding research, and I cannot think of a more meaningful location to celebrate fifty years of learning from one another. As always, ARM is all of us. Our success comes from your willingness to share, to show up, and to treat competitors like family. That has not changed in fifty years, and I am confident it never will. Let’s make this a year to remember. ¡Hasta la vista!

Let’s make this a year to remember!

Conchita Miranda Directora General, Miraplastek President, Association of Rotational Molders

ARM 2026 Executive Forum: Belfast, June 9–12

The 2026 Executive Forum heads to Belfast this June for a program that pairs technical sessions with facility tours. Plan to arrive June 8. Sessions, tours, and networking run June 9–11 at Queen’s University Belfast.

North American attendees will tour Collins Aerospace, three rotomolding companies, and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Queen’s University.

Conference sessions at Queen’s University run the full range, from process control to product design to leadership.

Mark Kearns of Queen’s University Belfast presents on digitizing the rotomolding process, showing how sensor integration and data analytics can improve quality control and cut production times. Johan Potargent of AMS Robotics follows with a look at digital twins and simulation, connecting product design software to machine programming and exploring how of Queen’s University Belfast presents real-time manufacturing data can predict part quality and drive equipment effectiveness.

Tony Short of Myers Industries tackles a challenge every molder knows: working with designs that weren’t built with rotomolding in mind. His session walks through real product iterations, showing how early process consultation saves time to market.

Joe Butterfield a parametric design approach

that reduces geometric modeling times for product families from hours to minutes, validated through finite element analysis on tank designs.

Dr. Gareth McDowell of 493K and ARM Technical Director Dr. Nick Henwood take on one of the process’s persistent pain points: cooling control. Their session examines the mechanisms behind inconsistent cooling, proposes practical solutions, and demonstrates techniques live using bench-top rotomolding machines.

Oliver Wandres of Maus GmbH showcases full automation systems for both electrical and conventional rotomolding, covering everything from resin dispensing to part ejection in new and existing molds.

Sergio Zilioli of Persico marks the company’s 50th anniversary with a look at five decades of innovation, from hand-made patterns to fully automatic machines serving aerospace, automotive, medical, and marine markets.

Dr. Paula Orcutt shares a leadership session on how small, consistent behaviors from leaders’ shape team culture, morale, and output. Drawing on her experience as a manufacturing company owner and VP, she presents a communication-driven model rooted in psychological safety and trust.

More topics will be announced soon. Registration is open now at rotomolding.org. R

Upcoming Webinars: Three Sessions You Don’t Want to Miss

ARM has three webinars on the calendar between now and mid-May. All are free to members.

Introduction to Air Amplifiers and Best Practices in Implementation April 20 | 1:00 PM CDT

Joey Morsi, Chairman of the ARM Process Optimization Committee, covers the two main device types, how they work, and what equipment you need. The session includes case study data on device positioning, amplifier vs. nozzle coverage, and the effect of supply line material on exit air temperature. If you’re dealing with wall thickness issues in deep cores or looking to reduce shop floor noise and air consumption, this one is for you.

AI Teammates Make It Rain April 29 | 2:00 PM CDT

Mary Shea, PhD, Co-Founder and Chief Growth

What ARM Delivered in Q1

ARM turned 50 in February. Here are a few highlights:

• The three-part ARM x Sandler sales training series is now available on demand: Prospecting, Sales Manager Essentials, and Creating Urgency and Keeping Deals Moving.

• Adam Covington of Ferry Industries presented a new webinar on Rotomolding Machine Safety.

• Hall of Fame members Dru Laws and Jon Ratzlaff moderated two What’s Your Problem? discussions.

• The Process Optimization Committee kicked off two new studies: one on melt index comparison and one

Officer at Meerkat, breaks down how generative AI is changing B2B sales. She covers practical use cases across prospecting, account planning, deal progression, and customer engagement, with a focus on where AI delivers the most value today and how sellers and AI can work together.

How Melt Index Affects Part Quality in Rotational Molding May 14 | 1:00 PM CDT

Joey Morsi returns with results from a controlled study comparing four polyethylene resins (MI 2 through MI 20) processed under identical conditions. The data shows differences in surface quality, thread definition, and moldability. Learn how melt index can affect your parts. R

on mold geometry and powder distribution.

• The Training Academy added a six-part Rotational Molding Design Webinar Series, available on demand with quizzes. And the Operator Training venting course launched in Portuguese, with more translated courses on the way.

• ARM also published a new Ask Dr. Nick blog post on what’s in rotomolding fumes, covering PE degradation risks, carbon monoxide monitoring, and practical strategies for managing smoke on the shop floor. Find it at blog.rotomolding.org R

Rotoplas 2026: New Orleans,November 16–19

ARM turned 50 in February. Here are a few highlights:

• The three-part ARM x Sandler sales training series is now available on demand: Prospecting, Sales Manager Essentials, and Creating Urgency and Keeping Deals Moving.

• Adam Covington of Ferry Industries presented a new webinar on Rotomolding Machine Safety.

• Hall of Fame members Dru Laws and Jon Ratzlaff moderated two What’s Your Problem? discussions.

• The Process Optimization Committee kicked off two new studies: one on melt index comparison and one

on mold geometry and powder distribution.

• The Training Academy added a six-part Rotational Molding Design Webinar Series, available on demand with quizzes. And the Operator Training venting course launched in Portuguese, with more translated courses on the way.

• ARM also published a new Ask Dr. Nick blog post on what’s in rotomolding fumes, covering PE degradation risks, carbon monoxide monitoring, and practical strategies for managing smoke on the shop floor. Find it at blog.rotomolding.org R

The Benefits of Membership

Train your employees, reduce scrap, connect with customers, learn from experts and peers. This is what comes with membership and the return on your investment is tremendous.

Complimentary Registration for the 2026 Annual Meeting

Provided for one employee for each new member company. This is your free entry to the world’s largest rotomolding meeting of the year.

Sample Operator Instructions

An 80+ page document calling out the highlights of nine company’s operator instructions. Also more than 700 documents and presentations from past Annual Meetings.

Immediate Free Access to more than 125+ on-demand webinars

Topics range from Determining Your True Cost to Proper Sampling Techniques. We offer four online certificate programs available to your entire team.

Immediate Free Access to ARM’s classic training video library

Includes programs on curing, venting, and good manufacturing practices. All videos include Spanish subtitles.

Free Access to Troubleshooting Calls

These moderated teleconferences are conducted every six weeks (eight per year) and allow you to troubleshoot your process and discuss HR issues with other molders, suppliers, and rotomolding experts.

Networking with Industry Peers

The greatest ARM benefit: Informal learning at a coffee break could revolutionize your process or reduce your expenses by tens of thousands of dollars. We hear it from members again and again.

Awards and Awareness

Showcase your company in our online member directory and through awards including Safety Award, Product Competition, and more.

Rotolink

Our twice weekly e-newsletter shares important industry news.

Annual Meeting

The premier event for rotomolders, their suppliers, designers, and educators. Programming includes professional and industry speakers, valuable networking, group workshops, and exhibition. R

The Liquid Revolution

How Duraplas turned Agricultural Roots into Rotomoulding Leadership

For most people, the first association with France is Paris and its iconic Eiffel Tower. Beyond the famous landmarks of France, many will think of its’ exceptional cuisine (cheese and wine), and high fashion (haute couture). However, in the world of rotomoulding there is the lessor known AuvergneRhône-Alpes region, which is one of France’s agricultural powerhouses. Livestock dominates the landscape — around 80% of agricultural land in Auvergne is devoted to stock-rearing — and the region ranks as France’s fourth largest cattle-rearing area. It is traditional, productive, and increasingly modern. It is also the unlikely birthplace of one of Europe’s most interesting 21st century rotomoulding success stories.

From Cattle Farm to Factory Floor

Duraplas was founded by brothers Sylvain and Donald Blachon, who grew up on their father’s beef cattle farm in Tence, Haute-Loire. In 2005, after a farm development project collapsed, they did something unusual for French farmers at the time — they travelled.

In Australia, Canada, and the United States they encountered a model that barely existed in France: farmers designing and manufacturing their own polyethylene tanks using rotational moulding. Storage was not an afterthought — it was engineered.

The brothers founded Duraplas in 2006, initially importing smallcapacity tanks from the United

States. But importing proved commercially limiting. They pivoted to a French subcontractor rotomoulding tanks, which accelerated growth, and turnover climbed fivefold in just five years. The decisive moment came in 2012. To gain full control of quality, design, and innovation, the family sold the farm — livestock, land, and buildings — to finance their own moulding plant in Tence. It was a bold move: exiting agriculture to better serve it.

The Structural Shift Driving Demand

Duraplas’ growth mirrors a broader agricultural transformation. Over the past 25 years, the average farm size in France has more than doubled. Farms exceeding 100 hectares

(247 acres) now represent roughly 25% of operations, compared with just 2% half a century ago. As farm size increases, economics change:

• Fixed costs are spread over greater output

• Bulk purchasing of inputs becomes viable

• Labour productivity improves

• Precision agriculture technologies become essential

ranging from 23,000 to 27,000L (6,070 to 7,130USG) per truckload in France, bulk on-farm storage becomes essential. Bigger farms require bigger tanks. And bigger tanks require serious rotational moulding capability.

Engineering for Density

Liquid fertilisers such as Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN)

• No corrosion issues

• Simplified transport and installation

• Full recyclability, supporting European Union (EU) circular economy objectives

To compete at scale, Duraplas invested in a large SRM6500 three-sided shuttle machine manufactured by Rotomachinery Group in Canada.

The choice of shuttle technology was strategic. While carousel machines excel in high-volume, repeat production, shuttle systems provide flexibility — particularly valuable when producing large, technically demanding tanks in varied sizes.

The 6.5-metre (255”) swing oven enables moulding of the highly popular 25,000L (6,600USG) fertiliser tank, as well as Duraplas’ 31,000L (8,200USG) model (3m Dia x 5.1m high or 118” Dia x 200” high).

In markets such as Australia and New Zealand, large shuttle ovens have long been the backbone of large capacity tank production.

Sylvain Blachon’s experience working internationally exposed him to these systems early. That exposure shaped the company’s capital investment strategy.

Liquid fertiliser fits perfectly within this evolution. While granular fertilisers remain cost-effective for pre-planting soil conditioning, liquid systems offer superior precision and rapid nutrient uptake during the growing season. With liquid fertiliser deliveries typically

introduce specific design challenges. These products are denser than water, requiring tanks engineered for specific gravities (SG) of 1.5

Polyethylene offers compelling advantages:

• Approximately 1/8 the weight of steel

Today, the Duraplas range extends well beyond fertiliser storage: water tanks, fuel oil tanks, AdBlue systems, transport tanks, and specialised industrial and chemical storage solutions form part of the portfolio. But agricultural storage remains the core.

Regulation as an Innovation Driver

The European liquid fertiliser market continues to grow,

with Germany and France representing a significant share of consumption. At the same time, environmental regulation has intensified.

Under EU groundwater protection rules, fertilisers are classified as water-endangering substances. In markets such as Germany, storage often requires double-wall containment or certified bunded systems.

Duraplas responded with

its “Securitank” concept — a tank-within-a-tank system, delivering integrated secondary containment. This approach removes the need for costly concrete basins while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Rather than seeing regulation as a barrier, Duraplas treated it as an engineering brief.

The result: a product that meets environmental

expectations while simplifying installation for farmers.

Rotomoulding at the Centre of Agricultural Modernisation

Duraplas’ evolution highlights a broader truth for the rotational moulding industry. As agriculture industrialises, infrastructure must follow. Storage is no longer passive; it is strategic. Tanks are not simply containers — they are logistical assets enabling bulk purchasing, supply chain efficiency, and compliance.

Rotational moulding sits uniquely positioned to meet this demand:

• It enables large, seamless hollow parts

• It accommodates double-wall and complex containment designs

• It scales effectively for regional production

• It delivers long service life in aggressive environments

For Duraplas, innovation is not marketing-driven. It is fielddriven – robustness, durability, and ergonomics.

Twenty Years Strong — and Scaling

Reaching a 20-year milestone

marks more than longevity. It signals industrial maturity. Duraplas has navigated economic cycles, evolving agricultural practices, and tightening regulation. It has transitioned from importer to subcontract client to fully integrated manufacturer. It has expanded beyond France into wider European markets, including Germany.

Most importantly, Duraplas has maintained alignment with its origins. The Blachon brothers did not abandon agriculture; they re-engineered their role within it. Two decades ago, they left livestock farming to build tanks. Today, their rotational moulding expertise supports a more precise, efficient, and environmentally compliant agricultural sector across Europe.

the lesson is clear: When market shifts occur — from solid to liquid, from small to large, from unregulated to compliant — those who invest in capability, not just

Why Your Next Engineering Project Should Be a Capstone Project

One of the most underutilized resources available to manufacturing companies today, including rotational molders, is sitting right in their own backyard: the university engineering capstone program. Before moving into academia full time, I spent more than two decades working in the rotational molding industry. I now teach engineering while continuing to consult in industry, which gives me a balanced perspective on what companies actually need and what universities can realistically deliver. From that vantage point, capstone programs stand out as one of the most practical and mutually beneficial industry-university partnerships available.

in undergraduate engineering education. Students were graduating with strong technical foundations, but very limited experience working on real, team-based, industry-sponsored problems with meaningful constraints and deliverables. His solution was simple and powerful. Require students to

Capstone programs are not new. In fact, the modern engineering capstone was pioneered decades ago by Professor Bob Todd at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. After spending significant time as a successful engineer in industry before entering academia, Dr. Todd recognized a critical gap

complete a substantial, companysponsored engineering project before graduation. The results were immediate and compelling. Students graduated better prepared for industry, companies received real engineering value, and universities built

stronger connections with the manufacturing community. The model was so successful that universities across the United States soon followed BYU’s lead. Today, engineering capstone programs exist in some form at nearly every major university. While the structure varies, the underlying premise remains the same. Industry brings real problems, and student teams, guided by experienced faculty, work to solve them.

What Capstone Programs Look Like Today

Capstone programs are not one-

size-fits-all. Some run for a single semester, while others span an entire academic year across two semesters. Some universities build interdisciplinary teams with students from mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, and software engineering. Others focus within a single discipline.

Costs vary widely as well. At some institutions, sponsoring a project can cost tens of thousands of dollars. At others, the cost is much more accessible, especially for small- and midsized manufacturers.

While I cannot speak for every university, I can share how the capstone program operates at BYU–Idaho, where I teach manufacturing and mechanical engineering students.

A Closer Look at Capstone at BYU–Idaho

At BYU–Idaho, a semester-long capstone project costs a sponsor approximately $3,000. Of that, $2,000 goes directly to the student team as a project budget for materials, prototyping, and testing. The remaining $1,000 covers administrative and program overhead.

All intellectual property developed by the students during the project is owned outright by the sponsoring company. Sponsors and students each sign formal agreements outlining confidentiality, intellectual property ownership, and expectations.

Sponsors provide the project definition, including an overview and background, goals and success criteria, scope and constraints, and key specifications and deliverables. Each project team consists

of four to six students, typically drawn from both the mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering technology programs. Sponsors agree to meet regularly with their team throughout the 14week semester, often weekly or biweekly. Some sponsors also choose to visit campus a few times during the project when hands-on collaboration is beneficial.

What Kind of Projects Are a Good Fit?

The short answer is almost anything. Capstone projects can be theoretical or practical. They can be focused on product, machine, or process design. They may be research and development driven or centered on continuous improvement.

We routinely see projects involving new product concepts, tooling and fixturing design, automation ideas, process optimization, material evaluation, and manufacturing cost reduction. For rotomolders, this can include mold design concepts, cycle-time reduction strategies, secondary operation improvements, material handling systems, or exploratory R&D efforts that internal teams never quite have time to pursue.

The Value Proposition Is Hard to Ignore

Each student is expected to spend approximately 10 hours per week on the project. For a five-student team working through most of a semester, that adds up to more than 600 student engineering labor hours focused on the sponsor’s problem.

All that effort costs the sponsor

just $3,000, which is less than many companies spend on a single prototype mold or short consulting engagement. That figure also does not include the additional insight, guidance, and technical support provided by experienced faculty mentors who are deeply invested in both student success and project outcomes.

It is no surprise that many sponsors who participate once choose to return. Some extend projects into additional semesters. Others sponsor entirely new projects year after year.

A Win for Industry and Education

Capstone programs are one of the few places where education and industry align exceptionally well. Students gain invaluable experience working on real engineering problems with real constraints, deadlines, and stakeholders. Companies gain fresh perspectives, motivated teams, and meaningful engineering output at a very modest cost.

If your company has a project that keeps getting pushed down the priority list, or if you simply want to explore new ideas without overloading your internal engineering team, I strongly encourage you to consider partnering with your local university’s capstone program.

And if you are interested in sponsoring a project at BYU–Idaho, I would be happy to have that conversation as well.

Sometimes the best engineering investment you can make is also the one that helps educate the next generation of engineers. R

Rotomould26 Conference & Trade Exhibition

Welcome to Rotomould26, the premier gathering of the Australasian rotational moulding community, where ideas and industry connect to share knowledge, spark innovation, and celebrate progress.

This year, we’re bringing a fresh new event experience at the beautiful Langham Hotel in Melbourne, Australia, from Monday the 22nd to Wednesday the 24th of June 2026, combining world-class learning, meaningful networking, and a vibrant exhibition space. We’ve re-imagined how the event runs to make it more flexible, engaging, and accessible for everyone.

Our Trade Day has been completely redesigned, now featuring a full exhibition of leading suppliers, a showcase of student design talent, and the latest innovations competing for the Best Product Awards. Short, focused learning sessions will run alongside

2026 Board Of Directors

the exhibition, so you can dip in and out of technical and business topics while exploring the displays. The day will wrap up with a relaxed networking cocktail event overlooking Melbourne’s skyline, a perfect chance to reconnect and build new relationships.

Across the three days, Rotomould26 will offer powerful plenary sessions, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to collaborate with peers and partners from across Australasia and beyond.

Join us in Melbourne for Rotomould26 and take home the insights, inspiration, and connections that will help shape the future of your business.

For more information visit rotationalmoulding.com/ rotomould26 or email events@rotationalmoulding. com R

In October 2025, members voted to elect the 2026 Board of Directors. With several directors continuing into the second year of their two-year terms and others reappointed, one Supplier Board Member position was available.

We’re pleased to welcome Dario Massutti of Vision Plastics NZ as the new Supplier Board Member.” R

Dario Masutti, Executive Director – Vision Plastics NZ

Dario Masutti has dedicated over 40 years to the powder and polymer industry, building a career that spans continents and innovations. His extensive domestic and international experience includes roles in the United States, Canada, Belgium, and Australia, where he developed a reputation for both technical expertise and strategic leadership.

As Group Managing Director of a major global powder producer, Dario was instrumental in establishing manufacturing plants in Malaysia, Brazil, Brisbane, and Dubai. These achievements not only expanded global production

capabilities but also strengthened international supply chains and customer access.

Today, as part of Vision Plastics in New Zealand, Dario focuses on product development alongside sales and marketing. He is deeply passionate about creating longterm, collaborative relationships with suppliers and customers, ensuring that innovation and service go hand-in-hand. His career reflects a strong commitment to advancing the industry while supporting the growth and success of partners worldwide. R

ARMA TURNS

50 | Half a Century of Rotational Moulding: Passion, Progress and People

In 2026, the Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia (ARMA) celebrates 50 years since its formation in 1976. From its beginnings as a volunteer led initiative, ARMA has grown into a globally connected organisation supporting the rotational moulding industry across Australasia.

Today, ARMA’s diverse membership spans Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, Southeast Asia and an expanding international network. As an active member of the global alliance through ARMO, ARMA plays a key role in strengthening international collaboration, sharing knowledge, and building connections that benefit the industry worldwide.

Our community comes together each year at the Rotomould Conference, while initiatives such as Rototours, masterclasses, and workshops provide ongoing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and global connection. Alongside this, ARMA continues to support the development of technical resources, standards, and industry guidelines, helping members navigate an evolving regulatory and operational landscape.

ARMA remains focused on the future active industry advocacy, working to elevate the profile of rotational moulding and represent member interests at all levels.

As ARMA marks this milestone, we invite you to join us in celebrating this achievement at Rotomould26 and be part of the next chapter of our industry. R

ARMA’s Strategic Plan 2026-2028

Following a planning session held in November last year, the ARMA Board has now endorsed the Association’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan. The Plan sets a clear three-year direction, with a practical set of initiatives designed to strengthen capability, collaboration, and workforce pathways across the sector.

Key focus areas include:

• Continued evolution of our digital platforms, including the introduction of AI

• A curated library of product ideas

• Online collaboration spaces

• Addition of more modules to the online training portal

• Industry benchmarking initiatives

• Targeted work around apprenticeships

• Launch of a “Careers in Rotomoulding” webpage

• Ongoing delivery of the Rotomould Conference, Rototour, and Masterclass programs

• Development of a mould hire and sharing network

These priorities are deliberately outcomes focused, aimed at lifting member capability, enabling new ways to collaborate, and delivering measurable value for rotational moulders and the broader supply chain.

The next phase also extends beyond ARMA itself.

The Association has formed the Australian Plastics Industry Alliance, bringing together like-minded organisations including Chemistry Australia, the Vinyl Council of Australia, the Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia, and Expanded Polystyrene Australia with collaboration with Plastics New Zealand where appropriate.

By working collectively, we can engage government more effectively, contribute to policy settings, and ensure the broader plastics conversation reflects the realities of our sector. For rotational moulders, the intent is simple: stronger representation, clearer advocacy, and a more coordinated industry voice.

Overall, this is a purposeful phase for ARMA. The direction is set, the projects are defined, and delivery is underway. R

Nordic ARM Conference 2026

The 14th Nordic ARM conference held in Stockholm in Sweden came to a successful end. For 2 days, 128 professionals within the rotomoulding industry from Scandinavia, and other countries from around the world, transformed a vibrant and dynamic space of the hotel located at the airport terminal into the most inspiring, ecofriendly, rotomoulding and net-working platform on the planet.

Together, all participants discussed innovative advancements, automation technologies, and sustainability initiatives, all shaping the future of rotational moulding industry.

Some attendee comments about the Show included: “Excellent Scandinavian and international speakers’ presentations, interesting rotomoulding news, inspiring case studies, record number of participants, and tabletops. As always, extremely emotional Nordic ARM quiz created the successful conference.

A new offering for Nordic ARM members. Ronny Ervik, The Nordic ARM Chairman, announced the EuROTATE – a European portal for rotational moulding.”

Thank you to all the fantastic participants, sponsors, and speakers for joining the event and creating the unforgettable atmosphere of the conference.

A wide variety of industry specific topics were covered. Here is a synopsis:

Energy and Ovens

Presentations from OREX ROTOMOULDING and Rotomachinery Group highlighted that converting traditional ovens to fully electric heating is mainly viable in regions with low electricity prices or own generation. However, electric heating significantly reduces temperature overshoot during the heating phase, which ultimately results in faster cooling and shorter cycle times.

Tooling and Manufacturability

Boca Italy and Maus GmbH showed that for complex products, improvements are often found in tooling designed around process limitations, with a strong focus on modularity and early engineering involvement.

Cooling and Quality

DRAM srl demonstrated that faster cooling is perfectly possible, as long as internal and external cooling are well balanced. Warpage is primarily driven by temperature gradients, not cooling speed.

Material Selection

Matrix Polymers explained how MFI, density, and sintering behavior are direct levers for cycle time and energy consumption, without necessarily changing approved grades.

People and Organization

The presentation from Brigham Young University, Idaho really stood out: efficiency is not driven by technology alone, but by ownership and motivation on the shop floor. Simple, visible recognition often works better than complex KPI systems.

Circular Design and LCA

GIDAS and Norner AS emphasized that circularity starts with design, modularity, and product lifetime. LCA and EPD help make these choices measurable and defensible.

Materials and PCR – from ambition to reality

Presentations from TotalEnergies and RESINEX showed two complementary approaches to PCR in rotomoulding. Notably, TotalEnergies presented a fuel tank produced with ~60% (!) PCR material, currently undergoing TÜV testing— a strong signal of how far PCR applications have progressed beyond non-critical parts.

Automation as Flow, not Robotics

ROTOLOAD demonstrated that automation doesn’t have to be complex. Removing manual weighing helps keep ovens full, reduces errors, and directly improves throughput.

At the same time, PERSICO GROUP presented a compact lab “smart machine” with a 1.2-metre swing arm, designed for material testing and development at a significantly lower cost than traditional machines — with the interesting possibility of also being used for small series production.

Quality as a Structured System

The presentation from 493K Ltd clearly stood out. Using a London Underground–style metro map, the audience was taken through all relevant variables that influence product quality. A strong reminder that

quality is not an end check, but the result of many small, controlled decisions throughout the process.

Manufacturing – University at Scale

Queen’s University Belfast shared insights from their £100 million investment in a new advanced manufacturing facility. The centre combines a wide range of production technologies — including rotational moulding equipment — to support applied research, digital manufacturing, and close industry collaboration.

Data, Digitalization, and AI as Decision Support

Several presentations came together around one clear message: data only creates value when it

supports better decisions. GreenLat (TempLogger) and Rotoplastic Srl showed how digitalization, temperature data, and AI can help capture knowledge, recognise patterns, and make processes more repeatable — not to replace people, but to support operators and management.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Finally, EuRotate underlined the importance of shared learning, training, and collaboration across the European rotomoulding community.

For more information on Nordic ARM go to nordicarm.org R

StAR Planned Activities for 2026

Following the successful completion of the StAR 2026 Conference & Trade Show in February 2026, the Society of Asian Rotomoulders (StAR) is set to continue its efforts to strengthen industry collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technological advancement across the rotational moulding community.

The planned activities include:

• Three Regional Meets in different cities across India

• Four Webinars featuring National and International Speakers

• StAR 2027 Conference & Trade Show

StAR will host its next Annual Conference & Trade Show in 2027 in the state of Gujarat, India, one of the country’s prominent industrial hubs. The flagship event will once again bring together members of the rotomoulding fraternity from India and abroad and will feature seminars, technical presentations, a comprehensive trade show, and networking and entertainment programs, creating a vibrant platform for industry engagement and collaboration.

Further details regarding these events will be announced shortly by StAR. Visit StAR Website www.starasia.org R

SIMPL Launches New 5-Year Health & Safety Strategy to Support Polymer Manufacturing Members

SIMPL has launched a new five-year Health and Safety (H&S) strategy to help member companies further improve workplace safety, and mental health, and wellbeing across the polymer manufacturing industries.

SIMPL is an initiative to help to improve the health and safety performance of the polymer manufacturing industries through a partnership of

trade associations, employers, trade unions, equipment manufacturers, training organisations, and HSE.

Building on the success of previous SIMPL strategies and aligned with commitments made alongside the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the new strategy supports members in translating industry-wide objectives into practical, achievable

action plans focused on: reducing accidents and ill health, strengthening health and safety basics, improving leadership and management, and building workforce competence.

The new strategy is structured around three key themes:

• Competence – strengthening knowledge, skills, experience, and attitudes to ensure work is carried out safely and effectively.

• Accident and Incident Investigation – improving investigation capability to better understand causes, prevent recurrence, and strengthen overall risk management, in line with HSE guidance.

• Mental Health and Wellbeing – promoting proactive and reactive measures to manage stress and psychosocial risks, reduce sickness absence, and support healthier, happier employees.

Strong leadership, workforce engagement, and shared accountability are central to delivering the strategy’s objectives. SIMPL will support members through a programme of guidance, bulletins, events and training resources, helping sites embed good practice and foster genuine management–workforce partnerships.

By working together through the SIMPL initiative, member companies can drive meaningful improvements in workplace conditions, employee wellbeing, and productivity across the sector.

Members of the participating trade associations are invited to demonstrate their commitment to improving health and safety across the sector by signing the 5-year pledge.

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is one of the key stakeholders in the initiative and is developing a 4-module online training course for member companies is being developed to support delivery of the strategic objectives. Once released, it will be available to all free of charge on the BPF’s polymercourses.com

The BPF has an Industrial Health & Safety Committee that meets regularly. The most recent meeting was at a brand-new centre of excellence for health and safety training. Following the meeting the Committee enjoyed a 90-minute interactive workshop on Accident and Incident Investigation.

Mick Monk of Rototek, one of Europe’s leading

“Strong

leadership, workforce engagement, and shared accountability are central to delivering the strategy’s objectives.”

technical rotational moulding companies, attended the meeting. He said,

“The support available from the BPF’s Industrial Health and Safety Committee is invaluable. The opportunities to learn and the peer group support at meetings and events means we can better look after a critical part of the business – our people. Health and safety are a key element of the culture here at Rototek and having the BPF (and their leading role in SIMPL) guiding the industry, is hugely important to us.”

The next meeting is scheduled to take place in the Health & Safety Executive’s Science & Research Centre where every industry fatality is investigated. Along with their regular meeting the day will include a tour of the facility and a session on ‘considerations around the role of AI in the reduction of accidents.’

If you would like to be notified when the free online SIMPL training is available contact Graeme Craig on gcraig@bpf.co.uk R

ASSOCIATION OF ROTATIONAL MOULDERS AUSTRALASIA LTD

Michelle Rose, CAE Chief Executive Officer

PO Box 237 Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 Australia

Phone: + 61 (0) 404 265 887

michellerose@ rotationalmoulding.com www.rotationalmoulding.com

ASSOCIATION OF ROTATIONAL MOULDERS SOUTHERN AFRICA

PO Box 6966

Birchleigh 1621 Gauteng, South Africa

Phone: +27 82 772 3769

Fax: +27 12 541 1738

Chairman: Gary Wiid info@armsa.co.za www.armsa.co.za

IT-RO ITALIA ROTAZIONALE

Katia Zoppetti Via E. Brigatti 12 20152 Milano (MI) Italy

Phone: +039 348 7652560 www.it-ro.it

SOCIETY OF ASIAN ROTOMOULDERS (StAR)

40/145, Ground Floor, Chittaranjan Park New Delhi 110019

Phone: + 91-11-41630157

Fax: +91-11-41634952

Cell: + 91- 9810305356

2sudeepsarkar@gmail.com arnacz@satyam.net.in www.starasia.org

ASSOCIATION OF ROTATIONAL MOULDING

(Central Europe) e.V. (ARM-CE)

MAUS GmbH –Rotationsgießformen

Am Viehweg 9 - D-76229

Karlsruhe

Amtsgericht Mannheim, HRB 103433

Phone: +49 (0) 7 21 / 9 48 74 12

Fax: +49 (0) 7 21 / 9 48 74 44

Mr. Oliver Wandres, ARM-CE

Chairman

info@rotational-moulding.de www.rotational-moulding.de

BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION

ROTATIONAL MOULDING GROUP

6 Bath Place

Rivington Street

London EC2A 3JE

United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7457 5000

Fax: 020 7457 5045

Chairman: Mr. Philip Maddox PhilipM@LeafieldEnv.com

THE NORDIC ASSOCIATION OF ROTATIONAL MOULDERS

Executive Board Chairman: Mr. Ronny Ervik

ul. Zielona 8, 61-851 Poznań, Poland

Phone: +48 607-126-004

Fax: +48 61-858-8611

info@rotomoulding-europe.org www.nordicarm.org

Moretto in Motion: Experience, Learn, Innovate

Moretto has launched the Moretto in Motion 2026 tour, a roadshow that brings the most advanced technologies for the plastics processing industry directly to customers’ premises.

The event calendar starts in Italy, before expanding to key markets within and outside of Europe, spanning Poland, Germany, Croatia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain up to arriving in England.

It is an exclusive innovation hub where customers can appreciate the quality, precision engineering, and energy efficiency of Moretto products. An immersive experience featuring expert-led presentations, practical simulations, and interactive technical demonstrations. Moretto technology on-site enables the company to foster a closer connection with customers, supporting immediate analysis of their needs and real-time explanations of how the proposed solutions can enhance productivity and improve plastics processing.

The Moretto in Motion offers a comprehensive overview of Moretto’s integrated solutions for plastics processing industry, covering conveying, drying, dosing, storage, granulation, temperature control, and cooling. With 169 international patents, Moretto is a leading choice for clients seeking superior technology and operational efficiency.

Believing that sharing expertise drives innovation and that the input of younger generations is vital for new perspectives, the tour includes stops at technical institutes and universities. This initiative combines professional experience with students’ creativity to bridge the gap between education and the world of work.

The tour aims to foster strategic synergies, provide technical advice, and tailor-made solutions in an increasingly demanding plastics industry.

In UK, TH Plastics provides complete support and guidance on the full Moretto range. For more information, bpf.co.uk R

JUN 8-12 2026

ARM EXECUTIVE FORUM

Belfast, Northern Ireland rotomolding.org

JUN 22-24 2026

ROTOMOULD26 CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION Melbourne, Australia

JUL 1-2 2026 AUG 18-21 2026

BPF NETWORKING DAY

Nottingham, England www.bpf.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL DESIGN CONFERENCE AND EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM

Pasadena Convention Center Pasadena, CA idsa.org

ROTOPLAS 2026 & ARM

50TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA rotomolding.org NOV 16-19 2026 MAY 3-7 2027

NPE 2027 Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL npe.org

ARMO 2027

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Breveno, Northern Italy SEP 26-28 2027

29 Diversified Mold & Castings

19800 Miles Road

Warrensville Hts., OH 44128-4118 USA

216.663.1814 | 888.642.1222 info@diversifiedmolds.com www.diversifiedmolds.com

5 Ferry Industries, Inc.

4445 Allen Road Stow, OH 44224-1093 USA 330.920.9200 sales@ferryindustries.com www.ferryindustries.com

9, 72 Jerico Plastic Industries, Inc. 7970 Boneta Road Wadsworth, OH 44281 USA

330.334.5244

Minerva Plant: 330.868.4600 steve@jericoplastic.com www.jericoplastic.com

11 Matrix Polymers

Matrix Polymers Unit 2, Spindus Road, Liverpool L24 1YA

United Kingdom

+44 151 448 7000 sales@matrixpolymers.com www.matrixpolymers.com

7 Orenda

165 Steelcase Road East

Markham, Ontario L3R 1G1, Canada 905.513.8043 sales@orenda-automation.com www.orenda-automation.com

3 OREX Rotomoulding

Cieszyńska 6, 43-520 Chybie Poland +48 728 532 382 orex@orex-rotomoulding.com www.orex-rotomoulding.com

28 Poliplast S.p.A. Via Carrali, 8 24020 Casnigo (BG) Italy +39.035.724145 info@poliplastspa.com www.poliplastspa.com

21 Polymer Link PT 522, Jalan Sultan Mohamed 1, Kawasan Perindustrian Bandar Sultan Suleiman, 42000 Pelabuhan Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. +603 3176 7877 info.my@polymerlink.net.

2 Powder King, LLC 41780 N. Vision Way Unit 120 Bldg. 2 Anthem, AZ 85086 USA 623.551.9897 sales@powder-king.com www.powder-king.com

41Rotaconsult

Sydney Australia

+61.420.903.039 ianhansenconsult@gmail.com www.ianhansenconsult.com

67 Roto Edge Pro / SMAK 9116 NE 130th Ave, Ste 106 Vancouver, WA 98682

+1.360.882.0410 rotoedge@rotoedgepro.com www.rotoedgepro.com

71 Rotomachinery Group Via Crosa, 53 28065 Cerano (NO) Italy +39.0321.772021 polivinil@polivinil.com www.rotomachinerygroup.com

14 VMP, Inc.

24830 Avenue Tibbitts Valencia, CA 91355-3404 USA 888.4.VMP.INC 661.294.9934 info@vmpinc.com www.vmpinc.com

17 Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. / ROTOLOADTM

35 Leek Crescent

Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4C2, Canada 905.887.5355 Toll Free: 1.888.466.8266 info@wittmann-group.ca www.wittmann-group.ca

625 West Market Street Salinas, CA 93901 USA

PARDON THE INTRUSION

THE SECRET IS OUT! Jerico is more than just a compounder! We’re making life simpler for Rotomolders everywhere by becoming a strategic distribution partner for PE and PP. You’ve always been able to count on us to deliver excellent quality and service, and now that extends to PP and PE in mixed truckloads combined with all of Jerico’s high performance products — anywhere in North America! Ask us how we can help! info@jericoplastic.com (330) 868-4600 Proudly Supporting the