The WITTMANN Group at Elmia Polymer 2026

Maximum overall efficiency is the focus of the live machine demonstration at the WITTMANN Group’s booth at Elmia Polymer 2026, taking place May 19–22 in Jönköping, Sweden. High-quality plant pots are produced in an automated, process-integrated production cell grouped around an EcoPrimus injection molding machine. All process components, from materials handling and automation all the way to in-line recycling, are designed to provide extremely high material, energy and cost efficiency. This is how WITTMANN increases its customers’ competitiveness.

At this most important plastics trade fair in Scandinavia, the new all-electric EcoPrimus fully exploits all of its strengths. The injection molding machine with 1000 kN clamping force has been specially developed for single-component compact injection molding in large quantities. For standard applications requiring only a small range of options, this machine combines high precision with efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It features a robust and compact design, and users don’t have to compromise on ease of use either. The EcoPrimus comes equipped with the latest Unilog B8X machine control system.

During the four days of the fair, polypropylene will be processed – both virgin material and recyclate – on an EcoPrimus 100/525 B8X. This presentation will show clearly how with European standard machine technology, combined with the high plasticizing expertise from WITTMANN, the ideal injection molding solution can be developed in each case for a vast range of different materials.

In order to achieve a consistently high product quality even with fluctuating raw material properties, such as are typical in processing recycled materials, the EcoPrimus exhibited at the fair will be fitted out with intelligent assistance systems from the HiQ product series. These software solutions developed by WITTMANN automatically analyze the current process and can thus adjust the parameters precisely before scrap is produced—inline and, in some cases, even within the same cycle. What is more, the HiQ assistance systems simplify operation of the injection molding machine. This secures stable processes even when qualified skilled personnel is not present on every shift.

For a short overall cycle time
Further components of the integrated production cell are a Primus 116 linear robot, a Drymax primus dry air dryer, a Gravimax primus blender, a Tempro primus temperature controller and an S-Max primus screenless granulator. This means: the focus on essentials also applies to the automation system and the auxiliary equipment.
The Primus 116 linear robot will demold the plant pots and deposit them on the conveyor belt. Robots from the Primus series represent a reliable and simultaneously cost-efficient solution for all pick-and-place applications, as well as for use inside simple automation cells. The robots come with the SmartRemoval function as standard, in order to shorten the removal time and thus the overall cycle time.

Tempro primus temperature controllers are the first choice for all applications which require a precise, PT1000-based temperature regulation plus high user-friendliness, and get by without any additional features. They can be started up very easily and allow intuitive menu navigation via their 3.5" TFT LCD color display. The generously dimensioned diameter of their cooling coils increases their cooling capacity. Automatic filling and venting of the mold circuit, as well as automatic leakage and level monitoring, are all part of the standard equipment package.

Saving energy and material
Drymax Primus and Gravimax Primus work in tandem to ensure a loss-free supply of granulate and make a significant contribution to the high overall efficiency of plant pot production.

For a continuous process, the dry air dryers from the Drymax series come with two desiccant cartridges. While one cartridge delivers process air, the other is regenerated. During standstill times of the injection molding machine, the drying temperature is lowered automatically to minimize the risk of thermal damage to the plastic granulate.

To ensure high process safety, the Drymax dryers from WITTMANN are equipped with fine filters for the return air. The separation rate comes close to 99.9 %. Dew points down to  60 °C can be reached, depending on the dryer model.

The blenders from the Gravimax range excel by their high precision. Thanks to RTLS (Real Time Live Scale) technology, the exact target weight is reached reliably in every single dosing process. That enables the machine operator to set the target weight down to the minimum. This in turn prevents overdosing with excessive material consumption, and thus reduces the costs. The system automatically adapts itself to varying material properties—with only one high-precision valve for virgin material, regrind and additives.

Well prepared for circular economy
The efficiency-optimized interaction between all components of the work cell ensures a high consistency in quality standards and minimizes rejects. Should there be any production scrap, it can still be processed together with the sprue into single-variety granulate directly next to the injection molding machine. In many applications, this granulate can be returned to the cycle as raw material. 

This is ensured by the S-Max primus screenless granulator, which will be on display at the trade show in size 2 for throughputs of up to 8 kg/h. Its low rotational speed of 27 RPM with 50 Hz minimizes noise emission, energy consumption and dust generation. In conjunction with the resulting extremely homogeneous particle size, the outcome is a granulate of consistently high quality, which ensures a high proportion of faultless parts when processing the recyclate by injection molding.

Another major concern in developing the S-Max primus was a long service life for the grinding tools. The granulator now stands out by its low maintenance requirements. The grinding chamber can be completely exposed in just a few steps and is easy to clean. This makes changing materials very quick and easy.

Overall efficiency from a single source
At the Elmia Polymer it will be clearly shown what efficiency and quality potentials can be gained with integrated overall solutions from a single source. From materials handling and transport, injection molding, tempering and automation right up to in-line recycling and integration of digital solutions, the WITTMANN Group supplies all components for the injection molding process from in-house development and production. Only WITTMANN can offer such a high level of vertical integration.

WITTMANN at Elmia Polymer 2026: hall C, booth 02:08