FSM Conference 2024: Towards excellence in plastics processing

FSM Conference Programme: Legislative Challenges and Technological Progress

The main part of the technical programme of the FSM: Moulds, Machines, Materials conference focused on current requirements of European legislation, the development of plastic materials and innovations in processing technologies. Speakers from the Ministry of Industry, the Association of Chemical Industry, technical universities and representatives of leading companies provided a comprehensive overview of current developments in the sector. The programme was enlivened by two moderated discussions addressing pressing issues facing the plastics industry, particularly changes in the competitive landscape in Europe and the strict requirements of European legislation.

A Historical Look Back at Previous Conferences Organised by Uniplast Brno

The early evening session on the first day was devoted to reminiscences about past editions of the conferences. The invited veterans - former organisers of conferences and seminars Lubomír Zeman, Ondřej Kebrle and Jaroslav Novák - recalled the organisation and proceedings of conferences in the 1970s and 1980s. Their accounts gave younger generations an insight into what plastics professionals faced at the time. But they also included amusing stories. At the end, these veterans of the plastics industry in former Czechoslovakia were presented with a crystal plaque in recognition of their many years of active involvement.

The invited veterans - former organisers of conferences and seminars, from left: Lubomír Zeman, Ondřej Kebrle and Jaroslav Novák

Key Topics: Recycling, Bioplastics and Artificial Intelligence

Expert presentations covered a wide range of current topics, from the use of recycled plastics in the automotive industry and the competitiveness of Czech toolmakers to innovative approaches to processing bioplastics. Emphasis was placed on technological progress, including the use of artificial intelligence in plastics processing, and on opportunities for the efficient utilisation of municipal plastic waste through both chemical and mechanical methods. Discussions focused primarily on ways to meet the European Union's environmental targets. The discussions and presentations made it clear that sustainability cannot be solely environmental, but must above all be economic.

An Expert Perspective on Sustainability and Competitiveness

The results of the discussions and presentations showed that Czech and Slovak plastics industries have solid foundations. They are capable of adapting to change and thus surviving even nonsensical or contradictory requirements regarding environmental protection, low costs or unnecessarily high quality of the final products when processing waste plastic materials. In a follow-up questionnaire, participants rated the topics as relevant and inspiring for their daily work. This was also the aim of the conference – to bring together various organisations and companies and provide a non-commercial, educational perspective on the current state of the plastics industry in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Expert discussions during the conference

Thanks to Partners and Participating Organisations

Experts from prestigious organisations and companies spoke at the conference, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, the Association of Chemical Industry, Orlen Unipetrol, Resinex, Radka, Envalior, Borealis, Arburg, Engel, Wittmann, FV Plast, Simulplast, Spur, the Slovak University of Technology and Tomas Bata University. The event was supported by the companies SG Leasing, Arburg, Cecho, Radka and PlasticPortal, which contributed to its successful delivery and the high standard of the technical programme.