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For the past several months, the editors of Plastics Technology, along with all other plastics publications around the world, have been inundated with press materials from exhibitors at the K 2022 show touting the new technology they will have on display at the fair grounds in Dusseldorf. Many of these displays feature running machinery across all plastics processes.

But Hosokawa Alpine, which has run blown film lines at K shows for more than 40 years, is taking a different approach. Calling it a “difficult but responsible decision,” the machine builder has decided to not run a line but to instead “present its blown film technology in a truly sustainable way,” a reference to one of the themes of the show and a driving force in the industry in general.

“Alpine is investing in their most important asset, their customers,” the company said in a statement. “In the age of sustainability, now is the time to dispense with wasteful traditional norms, and focus on environmentally friendly, and thoughtful ways to present our exceptional technology to produce ecologically, environmentally and economically superior packaging solutions.”

Alpine says presenting its technology “in an environmentally responsible way” will:

• Conserve more than 18,000 kw/hr in energy;
• Conserve 150,000 lb of valuable raw materials;
• Save more 1000 man-hours of show preparation, installation, and operation that will be utilized serving our valued customers; and
• Utilize a complete blown film line of equipment for customer needs in the face of an on-going supply chain crisis.

The statement read: “Alpine has made this decision from a position of strength and leadership; we will have a significant presence at our traditional booth location in a brand new and dynamic show display. We will be showcasing innovative machinery and sustainable solutions in an effective and unique way, including the latest MDO technology, new extrusion innovations for bio and related materials, and other process enhancing and optimizing solutions.”