Stork IMM launches all-electric machine for sustainable packaging

Netherlands-based Stork IMM (Stork Plastic Machinery B.V.), a leading manufacturer of injection molding machines for the packaging market, has extended its machine range with the launch of a new all-electric line that delivers greater sustainability and the same high-performance capabilities of standard Stork IMM machines.

The new all-electric offering – scheduled to be showcased at the upcoming K show in Dusseldorf, Germany in October – boasts lower energy consumption, an innovative rack-and-pinion drive system, and highly customized process tailoring for a range of applications in thin-wall food packaging and industrial paints/buckets.

Stork has already delivered all-electric units to leading packaging manufacturers in Europe. The new all-electric series enables the company to deliver highly flexible, customized solutions for its customers by pairing clamping units from 250 up to 700 tons with a range of injection units with screw sizes from 45 up to 84 mm.

“This machine extension satisfies growing customer demand for high-performance injection molding machines that meet sustainability goals for the packaging market,” said Gert Boers, CEO of Stork IMM. “This development reaffirms our commitment to delivering the latest technology that will support a circular economy.” Stork continues to focus on high-performance features including high output, maximum uptime, and a highly favorable total cost of ownership.

Stork’s new all-electric units achieve 15% greater energy savings compared to similarly specified hybrid machines and operate at injection speeds suitable for thin-wall packaging applications. The new machine series also features a heavy-duty rack-and-pinion drive that is highly rigid, energy efficient, and provides reduced wear and longer life. The drive provides higher speed forces for the clamp and injection units compared to ball bearing and spindle drives.

The all-electric units also feature a breaking energy feedback system whereby recovered energy can be fed back into the customer energy grid. Stork reports significant global interest in the new all-electric line and a healthy pipeline of orders.

The company’s robust, high-speed injection molding machinery is a superior solution for the production of food-grade, thin-wall packaging made of polyolefins (PE and PP). Stork machines provide maximum performance at minimum operational costs, with lower material cost, reduced energy consumption, and shorter cycle times. Key applications include closures, tubs, containers, and cups along with flower pots, and paint pails and buckets.