BOLE hodnotí rok 2025: Byl to pro nás velmi intenzivní, ale zároveň nesmírně obohacující rok
| Robert Duračinský, Head of Sales for the Western Europe at BOLE |
Editorial Team: Mr. Director, how would you describe the past year for BOLE in terms of promoting your solutions on the European market?
It has been a very intensive yet extremely rewarding year for us. We were present at virtually all key industry events in Europe – from the Kesterke Technology Days in Germany, through the PIAE Congress in Mannheim, to prestigious events such as Plastpol in Kielce and the K 2025 trade fair in Düsseldorf. This allowed us to engage directly with processors, mold makers and system integrators, gaining first-hand insight into their real needs. Europe is a very demanding market, but at the same time one that is open to innovation, provided it delivers tangible technological and economic benefits.
Editorial Team: Which BOLE solutions were particularly strongly promoted this year?
We focused on technologies that address three key market challenges: energy efficiency, cost reduction, and new material possibilities. The EVO series with hybrid drive attracted significant interest, offering up to 30% energy savings and clearly shorter cycle times. At the same time, we promoted multi-component injection molding machines, which make it possible to integrate several functions into a single part, as well as solutions for the direct injection of long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics – LFT-D-IM, also known as CIML. These were complemented by semi-solid magnesium alloy injection technology, aimed at industries focused on lightweight design.
Editorial Team: You mentioned CIML technology. Could you tell us more about it?
CIML is a very interesting solution, particularly for applications requiring high mechanical strength. BOLE introduces CIML technology – a cost‑effective path to high‑performance composites
The European plastics market is under strong pressure to deliver lighter, stronger and more cost‑efficient parts while coping with rising material and energy costs. In response to these challenges, BOLE is introducing CIML technology (Continuous Fiber Injection Molding / LFT‑D‑IM) as a unique and economically attractive alternative to conventional long‑fiber reinforced materials.
At BOLE, we have rethought the concept of using expensive fibres. In standard injection molding, glass or carbon fibers are supplied already compounded in granulate form. While this approach is convenient, it comes at a price: high material costs and significant fiber breakage during plastification, which limits the achievable mechanical properties.
CIML fundamentally changes this approach. Instead of purchasing expensive pre‑compounded materials, continuous glass or carbon fibers are fed directly into a twin‑screw extruder, where they are combined with the polymer melt only moments before molding. The material is then transferred into a plunger‑type injection unit, which minimizes further fiber damage.
The result is a significantly longer effective fiber length – around 8 mm, compared to conventional solutions. For processors, this means they can achieve higher performance while using raw materials more efficiently and at lower overall cost.
The advantages of CIML are not just theoretical. Compared to standard long‑fiber granulates, parts produced with CIML show: ~40% higher impact resistance, ~25% higher tensile strength, improved stiffness and durability.
These properties allow manufacturers to replace metal or over‑engineered plastic parts, reduce wall thickness, or downgrade from costly specialty compounds to more economical base polymers combined with continuous fibers.
A practical example presented at K 2025 in Düsseldorf was the production of drone propellers, where high stiffness and impact strength are critical.
Editorial Team: Thixomolding technology has also come up in your discussions. What does it involve?
Thixomolding, or the injection of magnesium alloys in a semi-solid state, is a response to the demand for ultra-light yet highly durable structural components. This process enables the production of thin-walled, integrated parts with large dimensions and high surface quality. By combining a two-platen clamping system with hot-runner technology, short cycle times and excellent mechanical properties can be achieved. This solution is particularly attractive for the automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics industries.
Editorial Team: How do you assess the past year for the plastics processing industry as a whole?
It was a year full of challenges – cost pressure, energy prices and geopolitical uncertainty. At the same time, we see a clear shift toward automation, energy and material savings, and environmentally friendly solutions. Companies are investing more cautiously, but when they do invest, they choose technologies that offer a real competitive advantage.
Editorial Team: What do you expect from the market in the coming year, and what would you wish for BOLE?
We expect continued growth in interest in high-performance and advanced material technologies. Customers are increasingly thinking long term, analyzing the total cost of ownership of their machines. And what would we wish for ourselves? An open-minded market ready for innovation, bold projects, and further strengthening of cooperation with European partners. From our side, we promise to consistently deliver solutions that genuinely support the development of modern plastics processing.
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BOLE Europe Technology Co.LTD.sp.zo.o.
Vstřikovací stroje Bole: hydraulické, plněelektrické, dvoudeskové, vstřikolisy pro vstřikování více materiálů (2K).
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