Representing well-known names in plastics and packaging machinery, Louis described this year’s event as ‘high-energy and high-impact’. While visitor numbers dipped slightly, he noted the quality of engagement was strong. ‘It’s been great making meaningful connections with both customers and principals. There’s a much more serious buyer here this year – focused, informed and ready to invest,’ he remarked.

INTRAVIS’s vision

INTRAVIS took a distinctive approach at K 2025. Revealing a deliberately stripped-back space, the global machine vision specialist focused on hospitality – clean lines, calm energy combined with coffee and conversation. ‘Relationships are everything in the INTRAVIS sphere,’ emphasised international sales manager Kevin Grunwald and PR/marketing coordinator Malte Nitz

INTRAVIS deployed its inspection systems across multiple partner stands, creating a real-world production tour for visitors. ‘Our vision inspection systems are based on quality assurance, efficiency and traceability,’ Malte explained.

Key systems included PreMon, built for high-volume preform monitoring straight off the injection moulding machine. Its early-trend detection and active bad-part ejection drew interest from converters seeking tighter tolerances and less scrap.

In thin-wall food packaging, the latest IMLWatcher features 360° label inspection – powered by a neural network and anomaly detection capable of pinpointing the smallest, defects – as well as space-efficient integration with robotic handling.

Completing the digital thread was IntraVisualizer, the company’s software platform designed for real-time machine status, traceability and root-cause analysis. As factories move towards Industry 4.0 integration, it promises actionable data and early-deviation detection.

‘It’s absolutely vital for us to attend an event like K,’ Kevin concluded. ‘INTRAVIS’s presence – subtle in design, bold in execution – fitted K 2025’s future-focused narrative.’

Delta Engineering: plasma and precision

Delta Engineering emphasised two developments at K 2025: its plasma coating systems and the DC924 rotary cutter.

The Belgian automation specialist – known for its downstream solutions such as leak testers, conveyors and palletisers – presented plasma coaters developed with France’s Isytech. Using plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition, the systems deposit an ultra-thin carbon or fluorinated carbon layer inside PET or HDPE bottles, boosting oxygen barrier performance by up to 30 times while maintaining full recyclability.

‘We’re seeing real momentum for plasma treatment in southern Africa,’ said Joris Celie, Delta’s sales engineer. ‘Converters want better barrier performance but also safer, more cost-effective processes. Plasma does both. It costs a fraction of fluorination, runs inline or offline and uses eco-friendly gases, most of which are consumed during production.’

Delta also unveiled the DC924, a rotary system designed to produce jars – such as for peanut butter or mayonnaise – on a two-stage machine rather than a traditional one-stage setup. ‘The DC924 delivers the same output with a smaller footprint, lower investment and lighter bottles,’ Joris explained. ‘If I owned a factory, I’d already have five running.’

Innovation spot

Spotted at the Delta stand was Meadow Oak Dairy’s Organic Whole Milk in a paper bottle. The British organic milk producer is trialling paper bottles as a sustainable alternative to plastic and glass, aiming to cut CO₂ emissions and support recyclability. Made from FSC-certified paper pulp with a thin liquid-tight liner, the bottle’s rigidity results in a paper pack that feels just like a solid container.

Cypet sets new PET benchmark

Cypet Technologies presented the world’s largest blow-moulded PET containers – 1 000L water tanks – demonstrating the company’s ability to stretch the limits of single-stage PET production.

‘We’ve engineered a platform that creates everything from a 20ml vial to a 1 000L tank from resin in one seamless process,’ said Michalis Sideris, head of business development – whose background includes engineering work for the Formula One McLaren Mercedes team. ‘It’s about efficiency, performance and sustainability working together.’

Cypet’s main reveal was the new PRO Series ISBM machines, built for productivity and versatility. Animations and real-time data demos showed outputs reaching 15 000 bottles/hour while still allowing manufacturers the flexibility to run varied container sizes.

‘We’re delivering lightweight, fully recyclable packaging with reduced energy consumption and a payback period of under two years. That’s value you can measure,’ said Michalis.

The stand attracted business discussions, technical evaluations and OEM interest in circularity-focused solutions.

1BLOW unveils 1XXLY

French blow-moulding specialist 1BLOW debuted its all-electric 1XXLY machine, purpose-built for large-format PET containers.

‘We designed the 1XXLY to deliver maximum flexibility and productivity for converters working in large formats,’ said Olivier Perche, 1BLOW’s sales director. ‘From the biggest 30L containers down to 5L, customers get speed, energy efficiency and ease of use in one platform.’

The machine handles 30L containers using a single cavity and switches to two cavities for formats up to 12L without compromising output. Its simplicity and performance balance are especially evident in applications where reliability and volume matter most.

Fully electric, the 1XXLY incorporates energy-recovery systems for both blowing air and electrical power – an ideal match for K 2025’s focus on sustainability, circularity and operational optimisation. Olivier emphasised the usability aspect: ‘Operators immediately appreciate the accessibility and intuitive controls. It’s designed to make daily production smoother.’

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