Not Every Problem

Best Practices For Plastic Processors

Injection Molding
Extrusion
Automation
Materials
Recycling
|
All Topics See All

Additive Manufacturing

Additives

All Electric & Hybrid Machines

Automation

Automotive

Barrier Blow Molding

best practices

Biopolymers

Blow Molding

business

close up on technology

color

Commodity Resins

Compounding

Construction

Consumer Products

dies

Digital Demos

Drying

economics

editorial

elastomers

Elastomers

Electronics

End Markets

Engineering Resins

Extrusion

Extrusion Know How

Feeding & Blending

Film Extrusion

Gas & Water Assist

Heating & Cooling

Hot Runners

In-Mold Decorating

industry 4.0

Injection Know How

Injection Molding

k show

Know-How

LIM & LSR Molding

marketwatch

Materials

Materials Know How

Medical

Micromolding

Mold Maintenance

Mold Simulation

Molds & Tooling

monitoring

Multicomponent

Multiscrew

nanocomposites

NPE

Packaging

PET

PET Processing

PET Processing - Extrusion

Pipe, Profile & Tubing Extrusion

plant tour

polyolefins

polystyrene

Postconsumer

Postindustrial

Postprocessing

Processes

processing tips

processor's edge

PTXPO

Purging Compounds

PVC

Recycled Materials

Recycling

Resin Conveying

resin pricing

scientific molding

screws

Sheet Extrusion

Single-Screw Compounding

Stretch Blow Molding

sustainability

technology in action

Testing

Thermoforming

Tooling

Tooling Know-How

top shops
Knowledge Centers

Resin Drying
Everything you need to know about the importance of proper drying in your production process.

Blending & Feeding
Deep dive into the basics of resin blending and feeding, controls, maintenance, process integration and more.

Process Cooling
This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.

Size Reduction
Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.
Resin Pricing See All

26 Aug 2026
September 2026: Commodity Resin Prices Generally Trending Flat to Down
Overall trajectory fluctuations reflect continued uncertainty due to geopolitical and potential hurricane season risks.

31 Jul 2026
August 2026: Commodity Resin Prices Drop
Sharp decline for polyolefins with overall downward trajectory for PS, PVC and PET.

29 Jun 2026
July 2026: Flat-to-Down Price Trajectory for Volume Resins?
While uncertainty remains due to geopolitical risks, the sharp price escalation of nearly all resins has slowed and is reversing in some cases.

25 May 2026
June 2026: Upward Price Trajectory for the Five Commodity Resins Continues
Polyolefins face highest price hikes due to the Iranian conflict’s disruption of global energy, feedstock and resin trade flows.

6 May 2026
May 2026: Price Trajectory for All Resins Shifts Sharply Upward
Shipping disruptions in the Middle East are dramatically affecting global resin trade flows, and rising prices reflect the supply squeeze.

27 Mar 2026
April 2026: Volume Resin Prices Mostly Up; Uncertainty Looms
Middle East conflict, energy costs and new tariffs create uncertainty for global feedstock and resin production, supply chain logistics and price trends.
Collections See All

Resin Drying Done Right
Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.

Get Better at Quoting Molded Parts
Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

Screw Design Tips to Boost Productivity
In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.

Injection Molding Know How: Best of Bozzelli
In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.

Tooling Know How: Best of Fattori
Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.

Tooling Know How: Mold Venting
In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.

Materials Know How: Best of Sepe
Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.

Ultrasonic Welding
In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.

Mold Maintenance
Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.
Find a Supplier See All

Additive Manufacturing

Business Development

Cleaning & Pretreatment

Inspection, Testing, Measurement

Manufacturing Execution & Automation Software & Controls

Manufacturing Services

Materials

Pollution Control & Sustainability

Supplies

Temperature/Pressure Control Equipment

Workholding

Get Listed!
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
Request Your Free Listing
Magazine
- PTXPO
- Molding
- Extrusion
- Webinars
- Calendar
PTXPO See All

25 Mar 2026
Simcon Introduces Injection Molding Simulation Tool With AI
Cadmould AI Solver enables design exploration for injection molding engineers up to 1,000 times faster than numerical solvers.

18 Mar 2026
New Collaboration To Install Plastic Leak-Detection Systems
Plastixs taps Quality Mold Shop and Mobile Manifold Repair to install Airtect technology for detecting material leaks in hot runners and machine nozzles.

17 Mar 2026
Chiller Line Adds 'Remote-Cool' Option
Space-saving “remote-cool” option for AEC’s GPL Series releases heat outdoors by locating the chiller condenser outside while the chiller remains indoors.

16 Mar 2026
PCS Company Adds Machining Capacity, Introduces Products
The supplier of mold components announced the addition of a five-axis Makino A500z to its production site and brought a range of products to PTXPO.

12 Mar 2026
PTXPO Announces Women in Plastics Breakfast
The Women in Plastics panel breakfast at PTXPO will provide all plastics professional with a valuable networking and learning experience.

10 Mar 2026
Latest, Most Advanced Portable Chillers on Display
Thermal Care will display its latest NQ Series Chiller and RQT Series TCU at PTXPO 2026 (March 17-19; Rosemont, Illinois).
PT Tech Days

September PT Tech Days 2026
Material Substitution Options and Strategies for Supply and Regulatory Disruptions

PT Tech Days 2026
Our inaugural 2026 session spotlights Sustainable Packaging – a critical area under growing scrutiny. With mounting pressure from consumers, regulators, and brand owners, rigid and flexible packaging must minimize its environmental footprint.

PT Tech Days 2025
Plastics processors need solutions. Faced with new challenges, as well as longstanding difficulties, they are on the lookout for new technologies and services that will help them with their day-to-day operations.

PT Tech Days 2024
PT Tech Days is designed to provide a robust, curated, accessible platform through which plastics professionals can explore these trends, have direct access to subject-matter experts and develop strategies for applying solutions in their operations.
Molding See All

20 Apr 2026
Molding 2026 Opens Call for Papers
Paper submissions for Molding 2026, which will be held this November in Greenville, South Carolina, are now open.

20 Aug 2023
What Is the Molders’ and Moldmakers’ View?
Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.

15 Aug 2023
Leading Molding, Moldmaking Conferences Combine
After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.

13 Jul 2023
Getting the Most Out of Injection Molding Simulation
Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.

27 Jun 2023
Injection Molding and Moldmaking Automation in Focus
When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.

16 Jun 2023
Pathways to More Sustainable Injection Molding
As self-imposed and government-issued sustainability mandates approach, injection molders reimagine their operations.
Extrusion See All

26 Jun 2026
Extrusion 2026: Human Intelligence and Connection This August in Austin
Two days, 27 speakers and one ballroom brimming with centuries of accumulated extrusion knowledge and experience await.

11 May 2026
Extrusion 2026 Registration Opens
Register for Extrusion 2026, the premier conference for extrusion professionals, which will be held Aug. 18-19, 2026, in downtown Austin.

2 Apr 2025
Extrusion: Live and In Person
Log out from your computer and make plans to join us in Boston this May for Extrusion 2025.

29 Mar 2023
Your Tour Guide to Plastics Technology’s 2023 Events
Get your clicking finger in shape and sign up for all that we have in store for you in 2023.

2 Mar 2023
Robust Molding, Extrusion Conference Programming in the Works
Molding 2023 to take place Aug. 29-30 in Minnesota; Extrusion 2023 slated for Oct. 10-12 in Indiana.
Webinars See All

7 Oct 2026
Practical Solutions for a More Efficient Production Floor
Efficiency, consistency and long-term profitability start with proven best practices. This webinar explores the strategies shaping today’s injection molding industry — from machine design and energy efficiency to digital connectivity and production reliability — and shows how ARBURG has built these principles into its latest machine technology to simplify production and reduce downtime.Whether you’re evaluating new equipment or looking to optimize current operations, you’ll leave with practical insights and strategies you can apply to your business right away.AgendaPresentation: Explore the best practices driving efficiency, productivity and long-term success in injection molding, and see how ARBURG builds these principles into its machine technology.Live Machine Demonstration (20 minutes): Watch these principles in action on the new ALLROUNDR TRENDIntuitive, user-friendly Easy UI operator interfaceSimplified barrel-change processOpen machine design for easier mold changes and improved accessibility

8 Oct 2026
Engineering Solutions for Advanced Recycling Using Extrusion Technology
Discover how Krauss Maffei Extrusion is driving advanced plastic recycling through extrusion-based engineering solutions. This webinar explores mechanical and chemical recycling technologies, including separation, dissolution, solvolysis, depolymerization, thermal cracking and pyrolysis processes that will enable a circular plastics economy.AgendaIntro to Krauss Maffei Extrusion Equipment (co-TSE's, counter-TSE's, Single Screws) and processes.Complexity of the Plastic Circular EconomyKrauss Maffei's approach to the circular economyExtruder-type Comparison (When to use SSE's or TSE's)Mechanical Recycling using extrudersAdvanced Recycling using extruders that include the following processes: Solvolysis, Depolymerization, Thermo-chemical cracking, Pyrolysis, and more.

On Demand
Dry Ice Blasting in Plastics: Mold Cleaning, Deburring, Surface Prep and More
Review the most common application in plastics—from cleaning various mold finish surfaces to cleaning screws, surface preparation prior to painting, even deburring and deflashing parts.What you will learn:Perhaps you are considering investing in the process or you are currently using dry ice blasting and simply want to understand more about the process, this webinar is your opportunity to gain insight into the science and data behind cleaning with dry ice. Cold Jet will share independent testing studies; customer studies, testimonials and case studies; and governmental position statements on its sustainability and environmental friendliness. We will also share numerous videos demonstrating the process.AgendaThe Science of dry ice blasting and how to adapt to various applications.Independent studies on the non-abrasive claims of dry ice blasting.Where in plastics it is most used: videos and case studies.Monitoring the process for data-driven decisions.

On Demand
Making AI Work in Plastics R&D
Artificial intelligence has become a competitive necessity in sustainable plastics research and development, yet many organizations are under pressure to adopt the technology without a clear or direct path to value. This webinar is designed for enterprise plastics leaders in R&D, innovation, product development and manufacturing who are exploring AI or struggling to move beyond isolated pilots.Based on industry experience, the session will share practical AI-driven use cases, including predicting material durability and stability, replacing toxic materials, accelerating long development cycles, reducing formulation costs, implementing sustainability goals and moving from optimized R&D to streamlined production. Attendees will learn common pitfalls of AI adoption and how experienced partners enable confident, scalable and measurable impact in global enterprise organizations.AgendaWhere AI delivers real value in plastics R&D.Practical AI use cases across formulation, performance prediction and process optimization.How leading plastics organizations launch successful AI projects and scale them enterprise-wide.Common pitfalls that cause AI initiatives to stall and how to avoid them.Turning early AI wins into measurable ROI across R&D and production.

On Demand
Producing Class-A Automotive Surfaces Without Paint
Automotive manufacturers are under increasing pressure to deliver premium surface quality while reducing process complexity, cost and environmental impact. Traditional paint booth operations add significant time, capital investment and logistical challenges to production. This webinar explores an integrated manufacturing approach that combines injection molding with polyurethane in-mold coating to produce Class-A, high-gloss automotive surfaces in a single cycle — eliminating the need for downstream painting. Presenters will provide a technical overview of the process, including system integration, material behavior and key design considerations, as well as performance characteristics such as scratch, UV and chemical resistance for interior and exterior components. Drawing on more than 20 years of application experience, the session will also share global and North American market insights, outline the automotive value chain supporting this technology, and discuss available trial capabilities and evaluation environments in Europe and North America. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of where this approach fits today, how it is being applied across regions, and what factors influence successful evaluation and implementation. Agenda: Overview of integrated injection molding and in-mold coating technology System architecture, material behavior, and key design considerations Surface performance characteristics for automotive interior and exterior parts Global and North American market insights and automotive value chain overview

On Demand
Fundamentals and Guidelines for Servo-Controlled Mold Functions
Do you want a deeper understanding of servo-controlled mold functions? Join Husky on this webinar to gain insight into servo control and how you can take advantage of this opportunity to improve your mold functions. This webinar will cover different servo control solutions, benefits of mold electrification and the application review process. Agenda: Why you should make the change to mold electrification How to compare various servo control solutions Motor sizing pitfalls and the application review process Commissioning your servo solution and the importance of global support

9 Sep 2026 New & Upcoming
Next-Generation Closure Manufacturing Strategies for Lightweight, High-Performance Beverage Packaging Register Now
Calendar See All

9 Sep 2026
SPE Automotive Division - Automotive Composites Conf. & Exhibition (ACCE)
The SPE Automotive Division chapter hosts Automotive Composites Conf. & Exhibition (ACCE) on Sept. 9-10, 2026 in Novi, MI.

13 Sep 2026
SPE Color & Appearance Conf. (CAD RETEC)
The SPE Color & Appearance Div. chapter hosts SPE Color & Appearance Conf. (CAD RETEC) on Sept. 13-15, 2026 in Louisville, KY.

14 Sep 2026
SPE National Plastics Conference
SPE hosts SPE National Plastics Conference on Sept. 14-17, 2026 in Houston, TX.

23 Sep 2026
PT Tech Days: Material Substitution Options and Strategies for Supply and Regulatory Disruptions

28 Sep 2026
SPE TPO Global Automotive Conference
The SPE Detroit Section chapter hosts SPE TPO Global Automotive Conference on Sept. 28-30, 2026 in Troy, MI.

29 Sep 2026
MAPP - 2026 Benchmarking & Best Practices Conference
MAPP hosts 2026 Benchmarking & Best Practices Conference on Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2026 in Indianapolis, IN.

8 Sep 2026 New & Upcoming
SPE Automotive Division Golf Outing Register Now

Extrusion Know How 28 Aug 2026

What You Should Know About Transfer Lines
resin pricing 26 Aug 2026

September 2026: Commodity Resin Prices Generally Trending Flat to Down
Materials Know How 24 Aug 2026

Drop-In Materials? A Strategic Approach — Part 2: Temperature Effects
Injection Know How 21 Aug 2026

Velocity to Pressure Control — Considerations & Implications
Film Extrusion 20 Aug 2026

Ingenia Installs Seven-Layer Macro Blown Film Lab Line
PET 19 Aug 2026

Higher Output Machines Debut For HDPE Caps, PET Preforms
19 Aug 2026

Driving Plastics Processors’ Quality in a World That Won’t Slow Down
Injection Molding 17 Aug 2026

A New Atomic Age
Film Extrusion 14 Aug 2026

Consider the Incumbent Resin Effect When Purging Your Blown Film Dies
Extrusion 12 Aug 2026

Zeus Earns Intertek PFAS-Free Certification for New Catheter Liners

k show

k show 7 Oct 2019

Injection Molding: News in Automation at K 2019

Three units of the Hahn Group showed new automation solutions at October’s K 2019 show in Dusseldorf.

Automation 7 Oct 2019

Injection Molding: New Robots at K 2019

New high-speed, standard, and economical models debut from Wittmann Battenfeld.

k show 7 Oct 2019

Injection Molding: Optimize Screw Recovery for Better Melt Quality, Less Wear

Engel’s new iQ melt control extends plastication time as much as possible without lengthening the cycle.

k show 7 Oct 2019

Injection Molding: Making Melt Temperature A Useful Tool for Process Control

Portable, standalone data monitor replaces a laptop. Newest system uses melt thermal data to signal injection fill-to-pack switchover.

Hot Runners 7 Oct 2019

Tooling: Combined K 2019 Booth for Hot Runner, Molds and Process Control Brands

Barnes Group will collocate its Molding Solutions strategic business unit in a combined booth for the first time at K 2019, with FOBOHA, Gammaflux, männer, Priamus, Synventive and Thermoplay sharing a stand.

k show 1 Oct 2019

Tooling: External Double-Ejection Systems

Adaptable to a variety of mold sizes, the double-ejection systems control the sequence of double ejections or plate openings, with users able to set travel distance.

Heating & Cooling 1 Oct 2019

Heating/Cooling: Temperature Control Features Larger Pump, Higher Temperatures

Engel expanded its e-temp line of temperature controllers at K 2019 with the XL variant, offerings higher pump capacity and greater heat output.

Engineering Resins 1 Oct 2019

Additives: High-Performance Colorants for Engineering Plastics

Milliken’s new KeyPlast Resist portfolio of bright colorants developed for nylons and other high-heat plastics.

Automotive 30 Sep 2019

Modern Dispersions Expanding Capacities of Engineered Compounds, Polyolefin Black Masterbatches

At K2019, Modern Dispersions highlights expansions for engineered compounds, polyolefin black masterbatches, and more.

Compounding 30 Sep 2019

Compounding: Two-Extruder Setup for Glass- or Carbon-Fiber Runs

Setup reportedly offers better melt homgenity while maintaining integrity of glass or carbon-fiber additives.

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

Blending & Dosing

Don't wait . . . margins

OACS

Improve cooling efficiency - Scientific Cooling

Precise Color Measurement

Automatech Expo

Run Lights Out

Global Leader in Extrusion Tooling

Precise Color Measurement