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Home > News > Corporate News

Executive Dialogue: Molding the future in uncertainty: Insights from Bekum's Managing Director

Source：Adsale Plastics Network Date ：2026-04-21 Editor ：Victor
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

Show Daily recently interviewed Michael Mehnert, Managing Director of Bekum Group, to gain insights into the market and technology from this leading German blow molding machine manufacturer. Mehnert discussed the current fluctuating global landscape and Bekum's distinctive approach to the Chinese market. He also shared perspectives on process optimization, the circular economy, and the impact of AI.

 

Michael Mehnert

Managing Director, Bekum Group

 

Michael Mehnert is CEO and sole shareholder of the Bekum Group. He studied mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen before joining the family business, founded in 1959 in Berlin by his father, Gottfried Mehnert. Since 2016, he has served as managing director, overseeing the company's generational transition and strategic development.


_DSF9175.jpg

Michael Mehnert

 

Remain competitive amid external forces at play

 

In your opinion, what are the major challenges facing the global plastics industry in 2026?

 

Mehnert: In 2026, the global plastics industry is increasingly shaped by geopolitical and economic factors rather than specific machine technologies. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, and military disputes are affecting international supply chains and investment confidence.

 

Tariff policies, fluctuating oil prices, and the resulting volatility in resin costs significantly impact the economics of plastics processing worldwide. A significant challenge is the high level of economic uncertainty. Many regions face stagnating consumer demand and limited economic growth. Consequently, investment decisions are often postponed.

 

What critical factors must machine manufacturers focus on to remain competitive in such an unpredictable environment?

 

Mehnert: For machine manufacturers, competitiveness today is primarily defined by the ability to deliver the most economical production solutions. While the purchase price of a machine is one part of the equation, overall production economics—such as resin efficiency, energy consumption, cycle time performance, machine uptime, long-term durability, and after-sales service quality—are much more important. Process stability and reliable long-term production are essential in determining the true value of a machine investment.


EBLOW1208D.jpg

Bekum blow molding machines excel at manufacturing containers with short cycle times and exceptional process stability.

 

Regarding opportunities, which application sectors are likely to demonstrate higher demand for blow molding machines?

 

Mehnert: At the moment, global consumption trends are relatively stagnant in many regions, limiting strong growth expectations for the blow molding sector. In consumer packaging, several product categories that traditionally relied on extrusion blow molding are increasingly shifting to PET 2-stage processing technologies.

 

Additionally, certain established applications like automotive fuel tanks are gradually declining due to the transformation of the automotive industry, diminishing the significance of traditional growth drivers in extrusion blow molding.

 

Future growth opportunities are therefore more likely to arise from new material developments and innovative applications. For example, the rising use of PET in extrusion blow molded handleware containers is opening new application fields.

 

Overall, innovations in resin development and new product concepts have the potential to drive demand for advanced blow molding technologies in the coming years.

 

Deliberate differentiation to navigate the Chinese market

 

Is the Chinese market a priority for Bekum? Why has Bekum not established production facilities in China?

 

Mehnert: China is an important market for Bekum, but our strategic focus diverges from the large-volume consumer packaging segment. Standard applications, such as shampoo and household bottles, face intense local competition and extreme price sensitivity, with many Chinese manufacturers offering highly competitive solutions.

 

Instead, Bekum concentrates on areas where advanced engineering, process stability, and technological expertise are crucial. In China, this primarily includes applications like cleanroom production for pharmaceutical packaging, solutions for the semiconductor industry, demanding automotive components, and specialized multilayer applications, such as six-layer containers.

 

While establishing a production facility in China makes sense for serving the broader local market with standard machines, as I mentioned, this environment poses challenges for European manufacturers competing on price. Therefore, Bekum does not plan to set up its own production facilities in China.

 

We have deliberately chosen a different strategic approach by forming strong local partnerships. This allows us to leverage local products and resources for our new SmartLine series while maintaining our technological standards and know-how.

 

Could you share more about the SmartLine machine program?

 

Mehnert: With our new SmartLine concept, Bekum offers a machine platform that reduces investment costs by approximately 30%, lowers energy consumption by around 20%, and enables material savings of up to 10% through optimized processing technology.

 

Importantly, it maintains the key technological advantages of Bekum systems, particularly in extrusion performance, machine control technology, and overall process reliability. Coupled with strong local service and spare parts availability, this makes Bekum's solution highly competitive, even in increasingly price-sensitive markets.


Smartline.jpg

The SmartLine series is engineered for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

 

On process optimization and energy efficiency

 

Let's talk about technology. What are the latest advancements in blow molding solutions?

 

Mehnert: Current advancements are primarily centered on improved process intelligence, enhanced simulation capabilities, and greater precision in material distribution.

 

A key example is the ongoing development of spiral-flow extrusion heads. With advanced flow simulation and optimized design, these systems achieve highly precise layer distribution and stable melt flow conditions, leading to improved repeatability, tighter tolerances, and more stable production processes.

 

This precision allows for further optimization of wall thickness distribution and material usage reduction without compromising product performance. As a result, processors can produce lighter articles while maintaining consistent quality. Meanwhile, machine developments continue to prioritize increased energy efficiency and improved process stability.

 

How can Bekum and other manufacturers enhance the energy efficiency of their equipment?

 

Mehnert: In extrusion blow molding, the majority of energy consumption occurs during the extrusion process rather than from the blow molding machine's movements. Typically, about 70 to 80 percent of total energy is needed just to melt the plastic resin.

 

To enhance energy efficiency, the focus should primarily be on extruder design. Bekum's latest generation of HiPEx extruders has been specifically developed to deliver very high performance while minimizing energy consumption. Features such as optimized screw geometry, improved heat management, and highly efficient drive systems enable excellent melt quality with reduced energy input.

 

It is important to recognize that there are physical limits to energy savings. A specific amount of energy is fundamentally required to melt one kilogram of polymer, and modern extruder technology is approaching this theoretical limit.

 

Claims of machines reducing energy consumption by 50 percent often refer only to individual machine movements and not the overall process. Although fully electric drive concepts have improved the efficiency of certain machine functions in recent years, the primary energy demand in blow molding still lies in the melting process during the extrusion stage.

 

On circular economy and PCR

 

What solutions does Bekum offer to promote the circular economy and sustainable development? 

 

Mehnert: One key solution Bekum offers is Tri-Ex technology, which enables the production of three-layer containers featuring defined recycled material content in the middle layer. In this configuration, high-quality virgin material is used for the inner and outer layers, while PCR material is processed in the core. This structure allows manufacturers to significantly increase the recycled content of their products while maintaining essential properties, surface quality, and regulatory compliance.

 

Another important aspect is the possibility to upgrade existing mono-layer machines. Many Bekum systems in the field can be retrofitted with multilayer extrusion technology, enabling customers to convert their current equipment into machines that can process PCR materials in multilayer structures. This approach enables processors to incorporate recycled content without having to replace their entire machine infrastructure.

 

In addition to multilayer solutions, Bekum machines are designed for precise parison control and highly stable extrusion processes, ensuring reliable processing even when recycled materials exhibit greater variability.

 

What technological challenges arise in processing recycled materials in blow molding?

 

Mehnert: Compared with processes like injection molding, extrusion blow molding imposes stricter requirements on material consistency. Parameters such as intrinsic viscosity (IV), melt strength, and overall material homogeneity play a critical role in stable parison formation and consistent container quality.

 

Recycled materials often exhibit greater variability in these parameters, resulting in narrower operating windows during processing. Consequently, maintaining tight process tolerances becomes more challenging. Reliable extrusion technology, stable temperature control, and precise process management are essential to ensure consistent product quality when using recycled materials in blow molding applications.


Automation.jpg

Bekum's automation systems optimize processing and ensure quality, even with challenging material combinations.

 

On digitalization and AI

 

Can you provide updates on Bekum's developments in digitalization?

 

Mehnert: Digitalization is an integral part of Bekum's machine development strategy. Our Bekum Control 8.0 platform is continuously enhanced with new features and performance improvements. Regular software updates ensure that customers benefit from ongoing technological advancements throughout their machines' lifecycle.

 

The control system incorporates various Industry 4.0 functionalities, including advanced remote service capabilities, improved cybersecurity, and enhanced machine diagnostics. Intelligent monitoring functions enable operators to quickly identify process deviations or potential machine issues, supporting predictive maintenance strategies and reducing unplanned downtime.

 

In addition, important documentation such as electrical schematics, operating manuals, and spare parts catalogs can be accessed directly through the machine interface. Bekum is also working on further service innovations, including augmented reality support.

 

What are your thoughts on the impact of AI on machinery? 

 

Mehnert: In practice, the distinction between advanced machine logic and AI is sometimes difficult to define clearly. Bekum machines already incorporate sophisticated control logic and intelligent algorithms that enhance process stability, fault detection, and efficient operation.

 

Looking ahead, we expect further integration of AI-based technologies. These advancements will enable more in-depth analysis of machine data, improved process optimization, and additional automation features that will assist operators in daily production.

 

What impact do you think AI will have on the workforce? Does it help with labor shortages or risk unemployment?

 

Mehnert: In plastics processing, a major challenge in many regions is the growing shortage of skilled machine operators and technicians.

 

In this context, AI-supported systems can be beneficial. Intelligent assistance functions can simplify machine operation, shorten training times, and support less experienced operators maintain stable production processes. Rather than replacing the workforce, these technologies are likely to address labor shortages and improve overall production efficiency in the coming years.

 

Presence at CHINAPLAS 2026

 

Could you share highlights of Bekum's presence at CHINAPLAS 2026?

 

Mehnert: At CHINAPLAS, Bekum positions itself as a packaging specialist for technically demanding markets. Our focus is on applications where product protection, process stability, and material performance are mission critical—ranging from pharmaceutical cleanroom applications to PET handle bottles and large industrial packaging for sensitive, high-purity media.


At CHINAPLAS, Bekum highlights demanding applications from pharmaceutical packaging to PET handle bottles and large industrial packaging for sensitive media.

 

In the pharmaceutical sector, Bekum machines are designed for operation in controlled production environments, including cleanroom conditions. Electromechanical axes ensure precise, reproducible motion sequences and stable cycle times. Both monolayer and multilayer technologies enable defined barrier properties for packaging liquid pharmaceuticals, diagnostic solutions, or disinfectants.

 

For demanding PET extrusion blow molding applications, Bekum offers crystal-clear handle bottles made from 100% recyclable PET, where transparency, ergonomics, and design flexibility are key performance factors.

 

In the field of industrial packaging, Bekum provides a broad portfolio, including jerrycans, drums, and IBC components. Specific requirements arise when dealing with chemicals, hazardous goods, specialty additives, and high-purity media.

 

For example, in semiconductor environments, ultra-pure process chemicals are used that cannot tolerate contamination from packaging materials. Multilayer technologies with integrated barrier layers provide permeation resistance, reduce emissions, and enhance safety during storage and transportation.


Bekum

 

Since 1959, the Bekum Group has established itself as a leader in automation, process reliability, and energy efficiency for blow molding machines. Through strong in-house technology development, Bekum stands for durable and high-ROI solutions.

 

Bekum develops and manufactures advanced modular fully electric, hybrid, and hydraulic extrusion blow molding machines, featuring award-winning industrial design for hollow plastic packaging, including bottles and canisters.

 

This family-owned German manufacturer employs approximately 300 people across its facilities in Germany, Austria, and the USA. With over 18,000 Bekum machines installed in more than 100 countries, the company boasts a strong global presence.

 

Booth: 2.1G45

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Source：Adsale Plastics Network Date ：2026-04-21 Editor ：Victor
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

Show Daily recently interviewed Michael Mehnert, Managing Director of Bekum Group, to gain insights into the market and technology from this leading German blow molding machine manufacturer. Mehnert discussed the current fluctuating global landscape and Bekum's distinctive approach to the Chinese market. He also shared perspectives on process optimization, the circular economy, and the impact of AI.

 

Michael Mehnert

Managing Director, Bekum Group

 

Michael Mehnert is CEO and sole shareholder of the Bekum Group. He studied mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen before joining the family business, founded in 1959 in Berlin by his father, Gottfried Mehnert. Since 2016, he has served as managing director, overseeing the company's generational transition and strategic development.


_DSF9175.jpg

Michael Mehnert

 

Remain competitive amid external forces at play

 

In your opinion, what are the major challenges facing the global plastics industry in 2026?

 

Mehnert: In 2026, the global plastics industry is increasingly shaped by geopolitical and economic factors rather than specific machine technologies. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, and military disputes are affecting international supply chains and investment confidence.

 

Tariff policies, fluctuating oil prices, and the resulting volatility in resin costs significantly impact the economics of plastics processing worldwide. A significant challenge is the high level of economic uncertainty. Many regions face stagnating consumer demand and limited economic growth. Consequently, investment decisions are often postponed.

 

What critical factors must machine manufacturers focus on to remain competitive in such an unpredictable environment?

 

Mehnert: For machine manufacturers, competitiveness today is primarily defined by the ability to deliver the most economical production solutions. While the purchase price of a machine is one part of the equation, overall production economics—such as resin efficiency, energy consumption, cycle time performance, machine uptime, long-term durability, and after-sales service quality—are much more important. Process stability and reliable long-term production are essential in determining the true value of a machine investment.


EBLOW1208D.jpg

Bekum blow molding machines excel at manufacturing containers with short cycle times and exceptional process stability.

 

Regarding opportunities, which application sectors are likely to demonstrate higher demand for blow molding machines?

 

Mehnert: At the moment, global consumption trends are relatively stagnant in many regions, limiting strong growth expectations for the blow molding sector. In consumer packaging, several product categories that traditionally relied on extrusion blow molding are increasingly shifting to PET 2-stage processing technologies.

 

Additionally, certain established applications like automotive fuel tanks are gradually declining due to the transformation of the automotive industry, diminishing the significance of traditional growth drivers in extrusion blow molding.

 

Future growth opportunities are therefore more likely to arise from new material developments and innovative applications. For example, the rising use of PET in extrusion blow molded handleware containers is opening new application fields.

 

Overall, innovations in resin development and new product concepts have the potential to drive demand for advanced blow molding technologies in the coming years.

 

Deliberate differentiation to navigate the Chinese market

 

Is the Chinese market a priority for Bekum? Why has Bekum not established production facilities in China?

 

Mehnert: China is an important market for Bekum, but our strategic focus diverges from the large-volume consumer packaging segment. Standard applications, such as shampoo and household bottles, face intense local competition and extreme price sensitivity, with many Chinese manufacturers offering highly competitive solutions.

 

Instead, Bekum concentrates on areas where advanced engineering, process stability, and technological expertise are crucial. In China, this primarily includes applications like cleanroom production for pharmaceutical packaging, solutions for the semiconductor industry, demanding automotive components, and specialized multilayer applications, such as six-layer containers.

 

While establishing a production facility in China makes sense for serving the broader local market with standard machines, as I mentioned, this environment poses challenges for European manufacturers competing on price. Therefore, Bekum does not plan to set up its own production facilities in China.

 

We have deliberately chosen a different strategic approach by forming strong local partnerships. This allows us to leverage local products and resources for our new SmartLine series while maintaining our technological standards and know-how.

 

Could you share more about the SmartLine machine program?

 

Mehnert: With our new SmartLine concept, Bekum offers a machine platform that reduces investment costs by approximately 30%, lowers energy consumption by around 20%, and enables material savings of up to 10% through optimized processing technology.

 

Importantly, it maintains the key technological advantages of Bekum systems, particularly in extrusion performance, machine control technology, and overall process reliability. Coupled with strong local service and spare parts availability, this makes Bekum's solution highly competitive, even in increasingly price-sensitive markets.


Smartline.jpg

The SmartLine series is engineered for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

 

On process optimization and energy efficiency

 

Let's talk about technology. What are the latest advancements in blow molding solutions?

 

Mehnert: Current advancements are primarily centered on improved process intelligence, enhanced simulation capabilities, and greater precision in material distribution.

 

A key example is the ongoing development of spiral-flow extrusion heads. With advanced flow simulation and optimized design, these systems achieve highly precise layer distribution and stable melt flow conditions, leading to improved repeatability, tighter tolerances, and more stable production processes.

 

This precision allows for further optimization of wall thickness distribution and material usage reduction without compromising product performance. As a result, processors can produce lighter articles while maintaining consistent quality. Meanwhile, machine developments continue to prioritize increased energy efficiency and improved process stability.

 

How can Bekum and other manufacturers enhance the energy efficiency of their equipment?

 

Mehnert: In extrusion blow molding, the majority of energy consumption occurs during the extrusion process rather than from the blow molding machine's movements. Typically, about 70 to 80 percent of total energy is needed just to melt the plastic resin.

 

To enhance energy efficiency, the focus should primarily be on extruder design. Bekum's latest generation of HiPEx extruders has been specifically developed to deliver very high performance while minimizing energy consumption. Features such as optimized screw geometry, improved heat management, and highly efficient drive systems enable excellent melt quality with reduced energy input.

 

It is important to recognize that there are physical limits to energy savings. A specific amount of energy is fundamentally required to melt one kilogram of polymer, and modern extruder technology is approaching this theoretical limit.

 

Claims of machines reducing energy consumption by 50 percent often refer only to individual machine movements and not the overall process. Although fully electric drive concepts have improved the efficiency of certain machine functions in recent years, the primary energy demand in blow molding still lies in the melting process during the extrusion stage.

 

On circular economy and PCR

 

What solutions does Bekum offer to promote the circular economy and sustainable development? 

 

Mehnert: One key solution Bekum offers is Tri-Ex technology, which enables the production of three-layer containers featuring defined recycled material content in the middle layer. In this configuration, high-quality virgin material is used for the inner and outer layers, while PCR material is processed in the core. This structure allows manufacturers to significantly increase the recycled content of their products while maintaining essential properties, surface quality, and regulatory compliance.

 

Another important aspect is the possibility to upgrade existing mono-layer machines. Many Bekum systems in the field can be retrofitted with multilayer extrusion technology, enabling customers to convert their current equipment into machines that can process PCR materials in multilayer structures. This approach enables processors to incorporate recycled content without having to replace their entire machine infrastructure.

 

In addition to multilayer solutions, Bekum machines are designed for precise parison control and highly stable extrusion processes, ensuring reliable processing even when recycled materials exhibit greater variability.

 

What technological challenges arise in processing recycled materials in blow molding?

 

Mehnert: Compared with processes like injection molding, extrusion blow molding imposes stricter requirements on material consistency. Parameters such as intrinsic viscosity (IV), melt strength, and overall material homogeneity play a critical role in stable parison formation and consistent container quality.

 

Recycled materials often exhibit greater variability in these parameters, resulting in narrower operating windows during processing. Consequently, maintaining tight process tolerances becomes more challenging. Reliable extrusion technology, stable temperature control, and precise process management are essential to ensure consistent product quality when using recycled materials in blow molding applications.


Automation.jpg

Bekum's automation systems optimize processing and ensure quality, even with challenging material combinations.

 

On digitalization and AI

 

Can you provide updates on Bekum's developments in digitalization?

 

Mehnert: Digitalization is an integral part of Bekum's machine development strategy. Our Bekum Control 8.0 platform is continuously enhanced with new features and performance improvements. Regular software updates ensure that customers benefit from ongoing technological advancements throughout their machines' lifecycle.

 

The control system incorporates various Industry 4.0 functionalities, including advanced remote service capabilities, improved cybersecurity, and enhanced machine diagnostics. Intelligent monitoring functions enable operators to quickly identify process deviations or potential machine issues, supporting predictive maintenance strategies and reducing unplanned downtime.

 

In addition, important documentation such as electrical schematics, operating manuals, and spare parts catalogs can be accessed directly through the machine interface. Bekum is also working on further service innovations, including augmented reality support.

 

What are your thoughts on the impact of AI on machinery? 

 

Mehnert: In practice, the distinction between advanced machine logic and AI is sometimes difficult to define clearly. Bekum machines already incorporate sophisticated control logic and intelligent algorithms that enhance process stability, fault detection, and efficient operation.

 

Looking ahead, we expect further integration of AI-based technologies. These advancements will enable more in-depth analysis of machine data, improved process optimization, and additional automation features that will assist operators in daily production.

 

What impact do you think AI will have on the workforce? Does it help with labor shortages or risk unemployment?

 

Mehnert: In plastics processing, a major challenge in many regions is the growing shortage of skilled machine operators and technicians.

 

In this context, AI-supported systems can be beneficial. Intelligent assistance functions can simplify machine operation, shorten training times, and support less experienced operators maintain stable production processes. Rather than replacing the workforce, these technologies are likely to address labor shortages and improve overall production efficiency in the coming years.

 

Presence at CHINAPLAS 2026

 

Could you share highlights of Bekum's presence at CHINAPLAS 2026?

 

Mehnert: At CHINAPLAS, Bekum positions itself as a packaging specialist for technically demanding markets. Our focus is on applications where product protection, process stability, and material performance are mission critical—ranging from pharmaceutical cleanroom applications to PET handle bottles and large industrial packaging for sensitive, high-purity media.


At CHINAPLAS, Bekum highlights demanding applications from pharmaceutical packaging to PET handle bottles and large industrial packaging for sensitive media.

 

In the pharmaceutical sector, Bekum machines are designed for operation in controlled production environments, including cleanroom conditions. Electromechanical axes ensure precise, reproducible motion sequences and stable cycle times. Both monolayer and multilayer technologies enable defined barrier properties for packaging liquid pharmaceuticals, diagnostic solutions, or disinfectants.

 

For demanding PET extrusion blow molding applications, Bekum offers crystal-clear handle bottles made from 100% recyclable PET, where transparency, ergonomics, and design flexibility are key performance factors.

 

In the field of industrial packaging, Bekum provides a broad portfolio, including jerrycans, drums, and IBC components. Specific requirements arise when dealing with chemicals, hazardous goods, specialty additives, and high-purity media.

 

For example, in semiconductor environments, ultra-pure process chemicals are used that cannot tolerate contamination from packaging materials. Multilayer technologies with integrated barrier layers provide permeation resistance, reduce emissions, and enhance safety during storage and transportation.


Bekum

 

Since 1959, the Bekum Group has established itself as a leader in automation, process reliability, and energy efficiency for blow molding machines. Through strong in-house technology development, Bekum stands for durable and high-ROI solutions.

 

Bekum develops and manufactures advanced modular fully electric, hybrid, and hydraulic extrusion blow molding machines, featuring award-winning industrial design for hollow plastic packaging, including bottles and canisters.

 

This family-owned German manufacturer employs approximately 300 people across its facilities in Germany, Austria, and the USA. With over 18,000 Bekum machines installed in more than 100 countries, the company boasts a strong global presence.

 

Booth: 2.1G45

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