Shibaura Machine’s Smart Injection Molding Powers Eco-Friendly Packaging at K-2025

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL, August 25, 2025 -

Sustainability is no longer a side initiative in packaging—it’s a core expectation. From multinational consumer brands to regulatory agencies, there’s mounting pressure on packaging suppliers to deliver high-performance parts that are not only functional, but environmentally responsible. For injection molders, that means doing more with less: less material, less waste, less energy.

As we prepare to showcase our rPET-based turnkey systems at K-2025, we’re proud to highlight how advanced injection molding is driving a smarter, cleaner, and more connected path forward in sustainable packaging.

The Packaging Challenge: Sustainability Meets Speed

Packaging manufacturers today operate under tight constraints:

• They produce low-cost, high-volume parts that demand high speed and repeatability
• They must meet strict regulatory and consumer expectations for recyclability, carbon impact, and material sourcing
• Many are now shifting to mono-material and recycled-content packaging, requiring even tighter process control

Meeting these demands requires more than efficient machines—it requires intelligent systems designed for precision, uptime, and material versatility.

Injection Molding’s Role in Greener Packaging

Injection molding is uniquely positioned to support sustainable packaging due to its ability to:

• Minimize material waste through tight tolerances and repeatability
• Reduce energy use via shorter cycle times and process optimization
• Support the use of recycled materials like rPET through precise control

Shibaura Machine’s EC-SXIII Series all-electric injection molding machines are engineered for exactly this purpose. These machines are faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient than traditional hydraulic systems—using servo-driven motors to eliminate the need for oil, cooling systems, and excess power consumption.

Smart Features That Minimize Waste and Maximize Output

What makes a molding system truly “sustainable” isn’t just what it uses—but how it performs. Shibaura Machine’s smart injection molding technologies reduce environmental impact at every stage:

• Simultaneous clamp, ejector, and mold movement during charge shortens cycle times and consumes less energy per part
• Auto-purge routines and closed-loop temperature control cut startup waste
• Recipe Management via machiNetCloud ensures repeatable, optimized production across lines or locations

Even features like consistent cushion positioning and V70 controller flexibility help ensure that every shot meets spec—especially important when working with difficult recycled materials.

Turning rPET into Real Results: K-2025 Sneak Peek

At K-2025 in Düsseldorf, Shibaura Machine will demonstrate the full potential of sustainable packaging with two live production cells running recycled PET (rPET):

EC75SXIII All-Electric Cell – Sleek Business Card Holders

• Material: Recycled PET (rPET)
• Workflow: Molding → Assembly → Logo Printing, fully automated
• Features: AI-driven Virtual Machine Expert, machiNetCloud IIoT, integrated auxiliary control
• Why it matters: Showcases precision molding, automation, and recycled content in a compact, energy-efficient cell

S-GenXt Hybrid Cell – Disposable rPET Food Containers

• Material: Recycled PET (rPET)
• Workflow: Molding with In-Mold Labeling, real-time auxiliary control
• Features:  AI-driven Virtual Machine Expert, machiNetCloud integration
• Binary injection technology—delivers high-speed performance without high-pressure accumulators, reducing energy use and cost
• Why it matters: Delivers fast cycles, precise labeling, and circular material use—all in one intelligent system

These demos prove that sustainable packaging isn’t just theoretical. With the right machines and strategy, it’s fully achievable—today.

Real-Time Data, Long-Term Gains

Sustainability also means continuous improvement, and that’s where Shibaura Machine’s digital tools shine.

• machiNetCloud, our IIoT platform, gives packaging suppliers visibility into cycle time, energy use, and machine status from anywhere—even a mobile device
• Virtual Machine Expert, our AI assistant, detects anomalies before they become downtime—turning reactive maintenance into predictive action
• Digital Six Sigma capabilities use recipe management and OEE tracking to drive repeatable performance improvements

Together, these tools support lean operations, minimize resource waste, and help suppliers future-proof their production environments.

Recycled Materials, Reimagined

As demand grows for recycled plastics like rPET, injection molders face unique challenges:

• Variability in melt flow and contamination
• Narrower processing windows
• Need for cleaner, more consistent processes to ensure product quality

Shibaura Machine’s proprietary closed-loop controls, enhanced barrel temperature stability, and intelligent process monitoring make it easier to mold recycled content with confidence. That means less scrap, fewer rejects, and a clearer path to circular packaging solutions.

A Sustainable Future—Without Compromise

The pressure is on for packaging manufacturers to become more sustainable. But at Shibaura Machine, we believe that sustainability should never mean compromise. 

Shibaura Machine is helping manufacturers meet the challenge head-on. By combining high-efficiency injection molding machines with powerful IIoT platforms and advanced automation, we’re enabling packaging suppliers to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing output or precision. 

As we look toward the future of packaging, we’re proud to partner with manufacturers who share our vision: clean, efficient, intelligent manufacturing that meets today’s sustainability goals—and tomorrow’s market demands.

See It All at K-2025
Visit Shibaura Machine at Hall 15 / Booth B21 to discover smart sustainability in action. Watch rPET products come to life in real time—and see how your operations can evolve into a cleaner, more efficient future.

Register today

Tel: (888) 593-1616

Email: im-success@shibaura-machine.com