High-quality recycled PP: More potential through optimized flow properties

High-quality recycled PP: More potential through optimized flow properties

Versatile Applications

Unlocking the potential of high-quality recycled PP through additives

High-quality recycled polypropylene (PP) plays a crucial role in a functioning circular economy. As an alternative resource, it helps reduce the consumption of fossil-based raw materials and minimizes environmental impact. However, companies often face the challenge that high-quality recycled PP exhibits variations in material properties compared to virgin PP. This is particularly evident in flow properties, which are critical for efficient processing.

By leveraging polymer-based additives, these fluctuations can be effectively compensated. This allows for targeted optimization of high-quality recycled PP, enhancing processability while supporting sustainable manufacturing processes and product designs.

Why Are Flow Properties and Cycle Times Critical for High-Quality Recycled PP?

One of the key differences between high-quality recycled PP and virgin material lies in the melt flow rate (MFR). While virgin PP offers consistent viscosity, recycled PP can vary significantly depending on its source and recycling process. This variability presents challenges in injection molding and other industrial applications.

By improving the flow properties through the use of additives, manufacturers can not only enhance process stability but also reduce cycle times in injection molding. Faster processing leads to more efficient production with lower energy consumption - a key factor in promoting sustainability and reducing CO₂ emissions.

The Advantages of Optimized Flow Properties in High-Quality Recycled PP

Reduced Energy Consumption and Resource Efficiency

Optimized flow properties enable shorter cycle times in injection molding, leading to reduced energy consumption and a lower carbon footprint.

Enhanced Processability

Greater process stability ensures consistent and reliable results in polymer processing. High-quality recycled PP can be more easily integrated into existing manufacturing workflows.

Expanded Application Scope

Improved material characteristics allow for the use of high-quality recycled PP in demanding industries. Applications in the automotive sector and for technical components are becoming increasingly viable.

Lower Scrap Rates, Increased Sustainability

Stable flow properties help reduce production scrap. A consistent material flow ensures uniform product quality, enabling a higher proportion of recycled PP in finished goods.

Contribution to the Circular Economy

High-quality recycled PP helps reduce reliance on virgin plastics. Sustainable production methods, combined with optimized cycle times and energy-efficient processing, support companies in achieving their environmental goals. Additionally, reduced thermal stress and shorter processing times preserve material integrity, ensuring better quality for subsequent recycling cycles.

Conclusion: Additives Enhance the Competitiveness of High-Quality Recycled PP

To increase the share of high-quality recycled PP in industrial applications, technological innovations are essential. Additives improve melt flow properties, shorten cycle times in injection molding, and ensure consistent, high-quality output. This makes high-quality recycled PP not only a sustainable choice but also an economically attractive alternative to virgin plastics.

5 Years Polytives GmbH

5 Years Polytives GmbH

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5 Years Polytives GmbH: How it all started, where we are now, and what's next?

The Beginning: When Polytives Was Still "Hyperflow"

When chemist Oliver Eckardt and Prof. Felix H. Schacher decided in 2014 to shape the topic of Oliver’s dissertation and commenced their research, neither of them anticipated that this would ultimately lay the foundation for the establishment of Polytives.

Originally initiated as a ZIM project at Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena, it soon became clear that their developed technology had immense potential — too much to not at least attempt to bring it to market maturity. Thus began their journey, initially supported by an EXIST research transfer grant, ultimately leading to the founding of the company.

After foundational research and a research stay in Belgium by Oliver Eckardt, Viktoria Rothleitner joined the team in 2017. With her Bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences and currently studying for her Master's in "Business Administration for Scientists," she added essential business expertise. Together, in July 2017, the three founders successfully applied for EXIST funding, which kicked off the project in March 2018—initially still under the name "Hyperflow."

Two years later, again in March, the official founding took place with the company's registration in the commercial registry. During these two years, the team built a solid network, demonstrated proof-of-concept, established a scalable synthesis method, and further expanded the team. And although March 2020 also marked the start of something completely different, the team quickly adapted, successfully advancing their goals digitally and remotely.

 

The Journey Begins: From Project to Acceleration

The originally four-person team, with co-founder and scientific advisor Prof. Schacher remaining an integral part, not only relocated multiple times in the following years but also reached a series of significant milestones. These included continuous technological advancements, company growth, diversification of expertise within the team, multiple funding rounds, and prestigious awards — all leading up to the move into the future production facility in 2024.

Beyond these milestones, Polytives has showcased its technology at various trade fairs, including live demonstrations in Friedrichshafen, carried out extensive sample testing, and successfully scaled up production to an industrial level. Numerous strategic partnerships have also been established, including collaborations with institutions such as TITK e.V., as well as renowned distributors and mid-sized companies. Together, these partnerships drive continuous optimization and the implementation of projects that provide customers with an ever-expanding range of benefits.

 

What Lies Ahead?

While 5 years of Polytives GmbH signify a dynamic history filled with achieved milestones, these 5 years are truly just the beginning for the team. Plans are underway to establish in-house production facilities, complementing existing contract manufacturing partners and further accelerating product development to create even greater value for customers. Because that's what drives Polytives: a unique platform technology capable of providing innovative solutions to numerous global challenges in the plastics industry.

And since space in a blog post is limited, we'll just say for now: to be continued! 😉

Product Family bFI in Action

Product Family bFI in Action

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From time to time, we share insights into the advantages our customers and partners gain from using additives from the bFI product family. These findings are based on applications and trials, often sparking ideas for additional use cases where, for instance, the bFI A 3745 provides the necessary solution.

Wide Range of Application Opportunities

Originally developed on an acrylate basis, the flow enhancers of the bFI product family were initially intended for use primarily in acrylic glass, polycarbonate, and polystyrene. However, as described elsewhere, the compatibility of these polymeric additives extends well beyond this scope. They can be applied across all common plastic variants, including both thermoplastics and thermosets, effectively addressing a wide range of viscosity challenges.

In addition to our research findings, validated in collaboration with partners, positive feedback from customers and documented case studies further confirm the efficacy, reproducibility, and stability of our polymeric additives.

What advantages does the bFI product family offer you?

We observe a range of benefits in both the processing phase and the additive-enhanced material, which consistently appear across applications.

Here is a brief selection:

  • Reduction in viscosity (significant increase in MFR or MVR)
  • Increased productivity through shorter cycle times
  • Lower processing pressures and temperatures
  • Potential energy savings, thus reducing the CO2 footprint
  • Greater flexibility in choosing injection molding machines, extruders, etc.
  • Enhanced flexibility in raw material selection, whether polymers or additional components (e.g., regranulates, temperature-sensitive additives)

Our customers, well-acquainted with their own processes, can often quickly identify secondary advantages from these points. This success is often achieved in the form of thin-walled components made from specialized materials that would not have been feasible without the bFI additive.

Current Findings

Understandably, we cannot discuss many of our shared successes with customers. However, here’s what we’ve learned in recent months: Biomaterials also pose no issue for polymeric additives like the bFI A 3745. Their processing temperature range can be significantly expanded. We will provide more detailed information on this elsewhere.

It is also possible to process regranulates, even from post-consumer sources, consistently and at an injection molding material level. Alongside rPMMA and rPET, rPP can also be optimized for flowability, standardizing the quality of purchased materials.

Both points offer real added value for our customers in times of changing raw material cycles and increasing sustainability demands. Let’s tackle it together!

 

AI in research and development

AI in research and development

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For an innovative company, it is crucial to remain curious and open to new developments. Therefore, the trending topic of Artificial Intelligence, or "AI" for short, has naturally not passed by Polytives unnoticed. We have read reports, examined use cases, and even witnessed firsthand how the impact of AI must be considered when implemented in the production process. We have also participated in various webinars and events on the subject, such as those offered by the Chemistry Cluster Bavaria or the TITK in our neighborhood. Below, we would like to provide an overview of what we have learned so far, with a focus on AI in research and development.

Experiment design, data analysis, documentation

An unbeatable advantage of AI is the simplified experiment design, which supports statistical experimental design methods. This can save a great deal of time when analysing different variables and parameters. Experiments can also be automated and carried out by AI-controlled robots.

The amount of data generated in this way can then be analysed - here, AI recognises patterns, trends and complex relationships and dependencies, allowing new synthesis routes to be identified and implemented more quickly and easily. When it comes to molecular modelling and simulation in particular, AI is making major contributions to research and development. The aim is to change molecular structures in such a way that desired properties are specifically adapted - an important means of developing medicines or, for example in the industrial sector, investigating material properties such as strength or thermal stability.

AI in research and development can also touch on an area that is rarely considered outside of academia: The publication of results. The publication of scientific articles is an elementary component of the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge. Here, AI can help not only with literature research, but also with the publication of articles in general. Even if people are sceptical about direct publishing, there are already promising reports that AI-supported text structuring facilitates the scientific analysis and peer review of manuscripts.

Transfer to industry

In order to transfer the fields of application of AI in research and development to industrial issues, partners are currently needed who generate a large amount of data and test and evaluate the processes derived from it. Irrespective of this, applications in the areas of quality assurance, process control, etc. have of course already emerged. But AI can be a possible basis for linking academic research fields and industrial expertise - this has not yet been done to this extent. However, we are sure that innovative ideas will always seek ways and means to reach the world and would not be surprised if there is significant progress in this area in the coming years.

We will definitely stay on top of it and test, wherever possible and practical, how the positive effects of AI tools can support our daily and not-so-daily challenges. An example outside of AI in research and development is the use of AI in marketing. For instance, ChatGPT is quite useful for illustrating a blog post.

Expanding processing options with bio-based polymer composites

Expanding processing options with bio-based polymer composites

Helfende Hände für alle Unternehmensbereiche: Studentische Unterstützung für Polytives.

In the world of the plastics processing industry, innovative ideas and sustainability in product design are emerging as a guarantee for long-term economic success. We recently met this dual requirement in collaboration with Holzmühle Westerkamp: our flow improver bFI A 3745 was used as a processing aid to optimise the production of fast-food products under the Arweco brand made from PLA, natural fibres, oat husks and other renewable raw materials. The result is a fully organic product which, on the production side, is characterised above all by excellent handling during processing in the hot runner. Of course, this is not the only advantage of this innovative combination of materials.

Our polymer additives are ideal for bio-based polymer composites, as they counteract high processing temperatures, which often lead to material damage and consequently to rejects in the process. Anyone processing PHA or similar materials, for example, may find a new technological approach to previously uninteresting materials. We also recently reported on the potential and challenges of handling PHAs in our blog post.

The temperature-reducing use also has an impact on the energy costs incurred. Savings here lead to more cost-efficient production and, in terms of sustainability, also to a corresponding reduction in the CO2 footprint. This circumstance also helps in the endeavours to become generally more committed to and fit for a circular economic system and to become more resilient in terms of raw material procurement and supply chains.

Conclusion: Better product quality and a more balanced environmental footprint - that sounds like optimisation through bio-based polymer composites. If you are interested in an environmentally friendly addition to any production process, please get in touch with us, because some obstacles are overthrown faster than you can imagine.

Replacing virgin material with recycled material: It’s not that simple

Replacing virgin material with recycled material: It’s not that simple

Helfende Hände für alle Unternehmensbereiche: Studentische Unterstützung für Polytives.

How the use of recycled goods can be facilitated. An overview of challenges and opportunities.

The use of recycled materials is an issue for manufacturers of a wide range of products, and not just in the context of the need to reduce CO2 emissions. Replacing virgin material with recycled material wherever possible and, above all, wherever it makes sense, is the declared aim, which is also being pursued by an increasing number of processors due to the standards and specifications that have been set. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as it may sound to the layman. Manufacturers of plastic goods face various challenges, which we would like to briefly discuss here. And also, what solutions might look like.

 

Quality and consistency

Virgin materials do not have these problems, but unfortunately recycled materials do. They come from different sources and have undergone different processing methods. This can lead to difficulties in the manufacture of consistent products and is critical for the quality assurance of producers.

 

Contamination and impurities

Returned materials may contain impurities that have not been completely removed during the collection and recycling process. These impurities can affect the mechanical properties of plastic products and make processing more difficult.

 

Material properties and availability

The properties of recycled materials can sometimes differ greatly from those of virgin materials. This in turn can have an impact on the mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of the plastic products and affect their performance. In addition, the procurement of recycled materials can be relatively expensive due to the collection, sorting and processing required and, depending on the case, the availability of high-quality materials may be unclear.

And yet, in addition to these challenges, there are also clear opportunities. Replacing virgin material with recycled material also means several advantages, which can be seen in the increased demand, among other things.

 

Resource efficiency, waste prevention and circular economy

By using recycled materials, companies can reduce the need for new virgin resources and thus contribute to the conservation of natural resources. The use of recycled materials supports the idea of the circular economy by reducing waste and integrating reusable materials into the production process.

 

Cost savings and environmental benefits

In some cases, recycled materials can be more cost-effective overall than virgin materials, especially if they are locally available and the cost of sourcing and processing is lower. The use of recycled materials can lead to a reduction in environmental impact, as less energy and resources are required to produce new materials. At the same time, the amount of plastic waste can be reduced as it is given a second life.

 

Customer requirements and image

Many consumers and companies value sustainable and environmentally friendly products. The use of recycled materials can therefore help to increase customer satisfaction and improve a company's image. Companies can respond to demand by offering recycled materials and not miss out on the trend towards greater sustainability.

Overall, the use of recycled materials in the plastics sector offers several advantages that consider both ecological and economic aspects and can contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry.

 

How to overcome these hurdles?

There are various starting points for overcoming the challenges described above. On the one hand, it is worth analysing your own raw materials portfolio as well as the internal possibilities for reusing production waste and the like. This is often already standard practice in most companies today, as it achieves an immediate economic effect.

Furthermore, there is a positive effect if several materials are qualified for a part to be manufactured in order to protect against the sometimes poor availability, as far as this is possible. Of course, customer requirements always play a decisive role here. However, they are naturally also interested in maintaining delivery capability. This can mean, for example, making an ABS product fit for use with an rPET.

In addition, additives and processing aids can be a game changer, such as the flow-improvers from Polytives. These also make it possible to replace ABS with rPET for rather thin-walled or more complex parts, as described above, to name just one example. Inhomogeneous qualities of recycled materials can be matched or plastics that are difficult to process because they are too tough can be made processable. This removes a major obstacle to the goal of replacing virgin material with recycled material.

Get in touch with us if you would like to exchange ideas and give it a try, we would be happy to help!

 

 

Bio-based, biocompatible, biodegradable: PHAs as a sustainable alternative

Bio-based, biocompatible, biodegradable: PHAs as a sustainable alternative

Helfende Hände für alle Unternehmensbereiche: Studentische Unterstützung für Polytives.

To open more and more polymer systems based on Polytives' platform technology, development, trials and sometimes adaptations at molecular level are required. Polytives would like to take these steps, especially for sustainable polymers, to offer an answer to the constantly growing demand. Polymer additives are also a game changer when it comes to processing (previously) unusual materials.

 

So-called PHAs and what they are all about

The group of polyhydroxyalkanoates, known as PHAs for short, are not yet particularly widespread and are therefore not necessarily the best-known group of polymers. They are sustainable biopolyesters that can be obtained naturally - for example from bacteria. The fact that they can be processed thermoplastically makes them highly interesting for plastics processors who are looking for sustainable alternatives to meet customer needs.

 

What is the advantage for processors?

To be able to offer a sustainable alternative for certain applications that is also permanently available in good quality, it is worth taking a look at the area of so-called biopolymers. As already described, PHAs are a group of materials that are attracting more and more interest. Because they are biobased, biodegradable and biocompatible, they combine a whole range of added values in terms of sustainable alternatives.

 

Why are PHAs not yet in widespread use?

Although polyhydroxyalkanoates have thermoplastic properties, the processing windows for users have so far been so narrow that it is unfortunately difficult to talk about simple implementation in existing processes. This is now set to change.

There is only a temperature difference of around 25°C between the melting point and the first signs of decomposition. This, coupled with the brittleness that occurs in the process even before decomposition, is currently usually a knock-out criterion when selecting materials. The shearing during processing and its additional negative effect on the material do the rest. But what could a solution look like to make sustainable materials more usable for plastics processors?

With the help of the Thüringer Institut für Textil- und Kunststoff-Forschung e.V., several PHA types are to be optimized with the available and possibly adapted bFI additives from Polytives. Their effect in the polymer matrix will be closely monitored and documented so that important conclusions can be drawn for the best possible process control. Important factors here include the processing conditions in injection molding, especially the temperatures and injection pressures, but also the subsequent mechanical properties of the resulting products. And, for example, how biodegradability can be classified.

If you would like to find out more about this topic, please contact us!

The outstanding properties of PMMA

The outstanding properties of PMMA

Helfende Hände für alle Unternehmensbereiche: Studentische Unterstützung für Polytives.

It is impossible to imagine our everyday life without PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). The material, also known as acrylic glass or Plexiglas, is versatile and is used in a wide variety of areas - from the construction industry to the automotive industry to medical technology. In addition to its formability, the most important properties of PMMA are its

  • transparency/transparency
  • weather resistance and
  • fracture and flexural strength

An absolute must in road traffic or on unlit paths is visibility. The fact that we can move around safely by day and night is also thanks to the versatility of plastics. PMMA in particular is used in LED-based light sources. In these, the filigree core element is the lens, which is responsible for conducting light through the luminaire geometry. The most important property of a plastic used here is therefore light transmission. Among high-performance plastics, acrylic glass ensures the highest transparency, which remains stable even after a long period of use.

The weather in particular always affects plastics that are present outdoors. PMMA is an exception here. As the basis for high-performance polymer applications, it has proven reliable and resistant to strong sunlight. The material withstands acids and alkalis of medium concentration, gasoline and oil - but it is not immune to ethanol, acetone and benzene. The material must be durable and weatherproof, especially in the construction industry or for outdoor applications. Here, the acrylic glass is subjected to a constant stress test in safety lighting or illuminated advertising. The material nevertheless performs a stable transparency!

Polymethyl methacrylate has also gained acceptance in surface-sensitive applications. It shows good fracture and flexural strength and, due to its excellent transparency, is also a standard answer for optical issues
addition to these properties, which are important in many areas of everyday life, PMMA also excels in another area: it is one of the more frequently recycled plastics. The recyclates come close to the performance of the original material in terms of quality. This is where the circular economy can set a standard!

With our polymer flow improver bFI A 3745, these properties of PMMA can be optimized without having to fear a loss of performance in terms of brilliance or transparency. First field reports from samples taken by our customers can be viewed here.

Customized solutions for the plastics industry

Customized solutions for the plastics industry

Helfende Hände für alle Unternehmensbereiche: Studentische Unterstützung für Polytives.

Development steps needed for your challenge from a single source

As a company with expertise in offering development steps from a single source, Polytives is looking for new ways to meet the challenges of the plastics industry. In doing so, we draw on a combination of scaling expertise and synthesis know-how. In addition to our additive, the flow improver bFI A 3745, which has proven itself in many applications, we are intensively dedicated to the research and development of further branched polymer components. In doing so, we can use both common monomers and specialty chemicals as a starting point. Our technical laboratory equipment allows us to handle the entire development process from small flask mixtures to 60-liter reactions. This allows us to produce a flexible set of experimental samples. This capability is particularly relevant for R&D concerns, while we naturally also have production capabilities for industrial applications. With our experienced team, we are able to develop customized solutions for each customer. Our holistic approach and our speed of innovation are decisive advantages that distinguish us as a company for development steps from a single source. In this way, we offer companies an efficient alternative in the form of a service that stands out from university-based basic research and development in the context of long-term projects.

In addition to our efficient decision-making processes, flexible capacity and adaptability, we are also characterized by a clear cost structure. In contrast to universities, we have focused on cost-efficient action and management as central principles from the very beginning. This is also reflected in the properties of our additives, which enable sustainable plastics processing and compounding through material savings and energy efficiency.
Another advantage lies in our continuous research work. Our expertise continues to develop and consolidate, experience does not remain limited to one project and is therefore constantly being expanded, already since 2014.

The ability to adapt quickly to changes in a highly complex world, whether due to global market requirements or necessary changes in the synthesis route for a customer product, continues to help us maintain a continuous innovation process. Through dialog, we define specific material properties that are aligned with our customers' processes and extend previous application boundaries through the results of our work and our tailored solutions.

As befits a company for development steps from a single source, we are eagerly committed to making our customized plastic additives qualitatively reliable to your competitive advantage. Please feel free to convince yourself of our competences: Our Sales Director Steffen Felzer is looking forward to your questions and comments.

Our Polytives bFI A 3745 in action

Our Polytives bFI A 3745 in action

Helfende Hände für alle Unternehmensbereiche: Studentische Unterstützung für Polytives.

Polytives bFI A 3745 in application

Polytives is a young company that develops and distributes polymer additives for the plastics industry. The first product family we are entering the market with includes polymer flow improvers (bFI) to improve the flow behavior of different plastic systems. In addition, we are always motivated to find innovative solutions for new applications. In this article, we will look at what insights and innovations our customers can report to us from the use of our additives in recent months.

Innovative, unusual, powerful

The first representative of the bFI product family, our Polytives bFI A 3745, was designed on the basis of an acrylate. One would think that the flow improver could thus be used mainly for acrylate-containing materials, but the opposite is true: As we have been able to prove in cooperation with innovation-enthusiastic customers, there is also lively interest in our additive solutions in other areas and a lot of potential for optimization. Findings on the use of one of our flow improvers in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), in polycarbonate (PC), in polystyrene (PS), partly as a solution for crystal-clear applications and while maintaining grade purity, are currently available to us from the market.
We also have results for processing with PET, polyamides, ABS, PC-ABS, polyurethane, natural rubber (NR), polyolefins (PO) and other plastic systems. Here it is possible to blend our additive with the target system (i.e. to mix and process it with another type of plastic) and consequently implement outstanding performance increases with the blend.
The plastics mentioned above can be found in a wide variety of applications across virtually all industries. Car headlights, beverage bottles, yogurt pots and suitcases are just a few examples.

Temperature reduction, energy saving, performance increase.

We would like to elaborate on this: In the extrusion process, a temperature saving of a good 20% was achieved with a dosing range of 5-7%. In the injection molding process, similar savings potentials were measurable at comparable dosages. Overall, we generally observe a performance increase in the 2-digit range already with an addition of 1-3%, which increases the scope in processing for our customers. Particularly in ABS and PC-ABS, very good effects have been demonstrated. Here, too, we are talking about considerable energy savings and a significant improvement in flow.

Performance increases of between 50-100% were also possible in PET, PBT and PETG - a result we had not expected to this extent. With all these positive findings, another sampling was almost more extraordinary: our Polytives bFI A 3745 was incorporated into a polyurethane foam system. The novel, sustainable systems basically suffer from very tough melt flow conditions, which make foaming impossible at all or only with a great deal of additional effort. Only by adding our bFI A 3745 was it possible to achieve processability in a sustainable and process-safe manner.

Our conclusion

Once again it proves true that trial and error is the best policy! That's why we are grateful for every new customer who is happy to sample even unusual systems with us in order to reveal the full potential of our flow improver family bFI piece by piece. Be the first in your field. It pays to ask and try out! Contact us or take the opportunity to meet us in October in Friedrichshafen at the FAKUMA, where we exhibit for the first time.

Operational experience with Polytives

Operational experience with Polytives

Helping hands for all areas of the company: Student support for Polytives.

 

Mutual learning motivates and creates innovation

Three clever heads and three pairs of helping hands support us from the background. The work that comes to the usually small team of a young company does not become less as time goes on. It only becomes different, that much we can say thanks to our own operational experience with Polytives. However, the distribution of our daily small tasks has been made easier for us for quite some time by Jana, Paul and Alex.
When not active in public relations, the three of them seem invisible to outsiders. One more reason to let them speak personally about their time and operational experience with Polytives so far:

Alex (for over a year at Polytives): "Polytives shows me a new world as well as a new professional field besides humanities at university, which expands my knowledge and skills tremendously."

Jana, Paul and Alex support us with interdisciplinary as well as professional outside perspectives and bring in knowledge from training and university. In return, they also gain operational experience with Polytives: integrated true-to-life into our day-to-day business, they experience strategic discussions, see how decisions are made, what consistent action requires and what it can achieve. For example, whether they are sitting at the table during our creative brainstorming sessions, actively accompanying our R&D projects, or collecting data with us for our first sustainability report - we appreciate their enthusiasm and are glad that our student support is now entirely part of our small but innovative team.

Jana (for just over a month at Polytives): "Polytives is as versatile as plastics - I will gain valuable experience here!"

Of course, it is impossible to assess what concrete impact your contribution has had on our success. Nevertheless, without you, some e-mails would not have been written on time, some customer approaches would not have been successful, and some research findings would not have been made until later. In business, that can make all the difference. We can also say with certainty that working with you enriches us, not least because it is characterized by the knowledge that you too have been infected by the enthusiasm for Polytives - and we thank you for that.

Paul (for just over two months at Polytives): "At Polytives, I can apply what I've already learned at university and also gain professional experience in polymer chemistry."

Innovation is based on creative ideas, on thinking outside the box, and sometimes it also needs a pinch of luck. However, we cannot rely on the latter, so we are also dependent on new impulses from outside. That's why we want to and will continue to offer professional and operational experience with Polytives.

 

Polytives at the K trade fair 2022 in Düsseldorf

Polytives at the K trade fair 2022 in Düsseldorf

The young company from Jena at the K trade fair 2022

3,037 exhibitors and 176,000 trade visitors gathered in Düsseldorf from October 19 to 26, 2022, after a three-year break. And we were there too: Polytives exhibited at the K trade fair for the first time. As the central innovation driver of the international plastics and rubber industry, the trade fair not only held a large amount of new products, innovations and problem solutions, but was also a platform for establishing as well as maintaining existing customer relationships. All participants were happy that the trade fair could take place in their presence, and the discussions started with corresponding anticipation and openness. The exhibitor party dedicated to the 70th anniversary offered the Polytives team once again the opportunity to deepen conversations with other exhibitors in personal networking and to generate new ideas.

For us as Polytives at K trade fair 2022, these were extremely successful days that flew by. We noticed how eager the visitors are to exchange ideas and how open they are to innovations. Accordingly, we were right on target in Düsseldorf. The fact that our products and visions were received with enthusiasm is shown not only by the over 100 discussions we held with potential customers, possible partners and research institutes, but also with the press. Interested parties came to our stand - not infrequently with specially printed versions of our flyers that they had received in advance - and sought personal talks to find out more. "Even the big players in the industry found themselves at our stand," is how Viktoria Rothleitner sums it up.

Polytives GmbH exhibition booth at the K trade fair 2022

The focus of our exhibition was on our flow improver bFI, but we were also able to present the many possibilities of our platform technology, showing our vision for our contribution to more sustainability and likewise the circular economy. Finally we had the opportunity to present our product itself as well as the processed product to all interested parties - apart from our flyers - which caused shining eyes on both sides of the booth. This is also reflected in our stock of sample quantity, which has been shrinking day by day since the fair.

The part of the team that remained in Jena naturally followed Polytives' activity at the K trade fair 2022 closely from a distance. A big thank you goes to the fair team, TecPart e.V. for the wonderful organization of the stand as well as the opportunity to be represented in the fair newspaper. We are already looking forward to the next K trade fair in 2025.

Die Geschäftsführung der Polytives am Messestand