PlastikMedia: The Morning Brief

27 May 2026 // Plastek UK’s Diversification, Broadway’s Interplas Lineup, and SGH Moulds’ Interplas Debut

In today’s brief:📈 Strategic Growth: Plastek UK accelerates its expansion into technical plumbing, construction, and food-contact sectors. The Mansfield manufacturer is scaling up its workforce and automation capabilities to manage complex new overmoulding contracts through 2026. 🧪 Material Innovation: Broadway details its technical lineup for Interplas 2026 at the NEC Birmingham. The masterbatch specialist will showcase its proprietary graphene-enhanced range, seaweed-based biopolymers, and material-saving foaming agents designed to enhance packaging circularity. 🛠️ Precision Moulding: Bolton-based SGH Moulds prepares to exhibit at Interplas for the first time in its forty-year history. The company aims to expand its footprint in regulated medical and aerospace interior markets following a recent ISO 14001 accreditation and commercial restructuring. 💻 Digital Launch: PiovanGroup introduces a new dedicated website for its Thermal Care brand in the EMEA region. The updated platform is designed to streamline customer support and simplify online access to industrial cooling and automation solutions ahead of the upcoming UK trade show. For the full stories, visit plastikmedia.co.uk.

26 May 2026 // MGS Toolmaking Expansion, 2026 Awards Open, and Award-Winning Recycling

In today’s brief:🛠️ Toolmaking Expansion: Blackburn-based MGS Technical Plastics announces the launch of MGS Technical Engineering Ltd. The new sister company formalises the group’s toolmaking and machining capabilities, supporting clients from initial concept and prototyping through to full volume production. 🏆 Celebrating Excellence: Entries are now officially open for the 25th anniversary of the Plastics Industry Awards. Featuring two brand-new categories for EPR Leadership and Smart Manufacturing, the free-to-enter awards highlight innovation across the UK and Irish sectors. ♻️ Recycling Milestones: North Somerset Council secures two prestigious environmental awards for its pioneering household soft plastics collection scheme. The kerbside initiative successfully reduced standard household refuse by 14% while delivering substantial cost savings. 🤝 Community Impact: Packaging specialist Plastek UK marks its 70th anniversary by launching a year-long partnership with Rainbows Children’s Hospice, dedicating its upcoming corporate and industry fundraising activities to the East Midlands charity. For the full stories, visit plastikmedia.co.uk.

22 May 2026 // Linear Plastics Expands with Wittmann, Landmark Trade Deal, and Solving Moulding Headaches

In today’s brief: ⚙️ Machinery Investment: Linear Plastics adds three energy-efficient Wittmann UK SmartPower moulding cells to handle rising demand, complementing a recent £750k solar and battery storage installation. 🌍 Global Trade: The UK concludes landmark trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, a massive breakthrough set to slash tariffs and unlock new advanced manufacturing opportunities. 🧪 Materials Focus: Masterlink Solutions gears up for Interplas 2026, showcasing its advanced masterbatch range and a new digital marketplace designed to connect buyers and sellers of surplus raw materials. 🛠️ Technical Troubleshooting: Alliance Tooling releases the latest instalment of its moulding series, breaking down why surface jetting is often a tooling design issue rather than a simple processing error. For the full stories, visit plastikmedia.co.uk.

21 May 2026 // Arburg Leadership Update, Precision Servo Coiling, and Interplas 2026 Preparations

In today’s brief: 👔 Director Appointment: Arburg announces the return of Ashlee Gough as Sales Director. Bringing over 15 years of industry experience, Gough will lead the sales organisation across the UK and Ireland to drive strategic growth and customer-focused technical solutions. ⚙️ Machinery Launch: Boston Matthews introduces its new Servo Coiler, engineered for greater accuracy and repeatable set-up performance. The fully servo-driven system provides operators with smarter control, tighter tolerances, and reduced material waste. 🍽️ Industry Networking: The Scottish Plastics and Rubber Association announces the date and venue for its 2027 annual dinner. Scheduled for the 26th of February at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel, the flagship event will bring together professionals from across the polymer sector. 🛠️ Exhibition Preview: Yorkshire toolmaker Faulkner Moulds prepares to showcase its capabilities at the upcoming Interplas exhibition. Visitors to stand H42 will get an inside look at their 24/7 automated manufacturing systems, which deliver micron-accurate tool production completely in-house. For the full stories, visit plastikmedia.co.uk.

20 May 2026 // Rapid Biodegradability Testing, Live Tooling Demos, and IMF Growth Upgrade

In today’s brief:🧪 Sustainable Materials: Impact Solutions introduces its Impact-Bio offering ahead of Interplas 2026. The service includes a rapid screening option providing biodegradability results in just three days, helping manufacturers validate sustainability claims with robust data aligned to standard OECD classifications. ⚙️ Machinery Showcase: SG Moulding Solutions announces its line-up for Hall 8 at the upcoming exhibition. Visitors will see live demonstrations of the Holimaker system moulding a brand-new bio-based material, alongside portable SST Microwelding repair technology designed to minimise production downtime directly on the press. 📈 Economic Update: The International Monetary Fund upgrades its UK growth forecast to one percent for this year, noting stronger-than-expected momentum driven by retail and construction rebounds. However, the report warns that global conflict and domestic uncertainty could still impact future investment decisions. 🔒 Digital Security: Consultancy firm EmmersonWills outlines the strategic importance of ISO 27001 certification for plastics businesses operating in a digital environment. The framework helps protect sensitive data assets and is increasingly becoming a critical prerequisite for securing supply chain contracts. For the full stories, visit plastikmedia.co.uk.