Stronger Together in the Global Plastics Market: MAAG Group and SIKORA at Chinaplas 2026

The MAAG Group will attend Chinaplas in Shanghai from 21 to 24 April 2026 and will present modern solutions for polymer processing and manufacturing, as well as pipe and hose production, in Hall 2.1, Booth J61. This will be the first time that both companies have presented together in China since the acquisition of SIKORA in June 2025. SIKORA is a leading provider of innovative measurement, control, inspection and sorting technologies.

Ueli Thürig, President of the MAAG Group, emphasises: “Our joint trade fair appearance clearly shows where we are heading strategically. We offer our customers integrated systems for polymer processing and comprehensive quality control. Whether pumps, filters, pelletising systems, powder mills, recycling solutions, or measuring and control systems for pipe and hose production, as well as technologies for inspecting and sorting plastic granulate – our products create clear added value.”

New generation M²-USG

With the revised M²-USG series, MAAG is introducing a strand pelletising system that enables higher process stability, increased throughput and improved pellet quality thanks to design optimisations and additional sensor technology. The pelletiser is designed for maximum plant availability (>99% OEE) and stable production processes. Reduced downtime and lower scrap rates help to lower operating costs and increase profitability. At the heart of the system is the new cutting head, which facilitates operation and maintenance while reducing potential operating errors.

High-performance melt filters for recycling processes

MAAG offers continuous melt filters such as the ERF 350 for plastics recycling. It processes throughputs of up to 3,800 kg/h and can handle contamination levels of up to 16%. The melt flows from the outside to the inside through a rotating drum with numerous holes. Contaminants such as paper, wood, rubber or metal adhere to the outside of the drum and are continuously scraped off. A total of four ERF models cover throughput ranges from 150 to 10,000 kg/h. In addition, four ECO models are available for PET applications with lower levels of contamination, such as production waste.

BAOLI-3 strand pelletiser

The BAOLI-3 is a dry-cut strand pelletiser for compounding and recycling. The machine uses key components such as cutting tools and strand feeders that are manufactured in Germany. Three model sizes enable throughputs between 20 and 3,450 kg/h, depending on the material and application. Key advantages include high pellet quality, long service life, low noise levels, ease of use and flexible installation options for different production environments.

PURITY CONCEPT V for inspection and analysis of pellets, flakes and test plates

At Chinaplas, SIKORA will present, among other things, the PURITY CONCEPT V, an offline system for random sampling and analysis of granules, flakes and test plates. The system uses an optical camera to detect contaminants such as black or coloured specks and discolourations from 50 µm. The analysis takes less than a minute, including a test certificate and HSV colour chart of the detected colour deviations. The system therefore makes a significant contribution to product quality and safety.

PURITY SCANNER ADVANCED for inspection and sorting of demanding plastic applications

With increasing demands on the purity of technical plastics, the need for reliable quality control is also growing. The same applies to high-performance plastics such as fluoropolymers (for example flame-retardant plastics) or standard materials such as polypropylene (PP). In all areas of application, flawless material quality is crucial. Contaminants can not only impair functionality, but also cause significant economic losses.

With the PURITY SCANNER ADVANCED, SIKORA offers a configurable inspection and sorting system that combines maximum precision with modular technology. Critical contaminants – even those of minimal size – are reliably detected and automatically sorted out.

The detection and blow-out systems work in perfect coordination. Depending on the application, different camera types can be integrated. In addition to high-resolution optical cameras that detect black specks from 25 µm, an X-ray camera is also available as an option, specifically for the detection of metallic particles in granulate.

Another highlight is the hybrid blow-out system. Customers can define which types of impurities are tolerable – for example small, light-coloured black specks – and sort them out with a smaller blow-out unit. For critical contaminants such as metal particles, however, a large-area blow-out is used. This intelligent interaction minimises unnecessary material loss (“bycatch”) and contributes significantly to economical and sustainable production.

CENTERWAVE 6000 for measuring the wall thickness and diameter of pipes from 32 to 1,600 mm

In the field of measurement technology for pipe and hose extrusion, SIKORA also presents the CENTERWAVE 6000. The system measures pipes with diameters from 32 mm to 1,600 mm directly after the first vacuum tank without contact. A continuously rotating transceiver and a powerful processor system use millimetre wave technology to accurately measure the diameter and wall thickness over 360 degrees of the product circumference. This facilitates the centring of the extrusion tools, reduces material consumption and lowers costs.

X-RAY 6000 PRO for measuring all dimensions of multilayer products, including the minimum wall thickness

With the X-RAY 6000 PRO, SIKORA introduces an innovative system based on X-ray technology that continuously provides measurement values for wall thickness, eccentricity, and inner and outer diameters of multi-layer tubes and pipes in extrusion lines. The measurement results are clearly displayed on the monitor of the ECOCONTROL 6000 processor system.

The X-RAY 6000 PRO can be flexibly used after the extruder, between two vacuum tanks or cooling sections, or at the end of the line for cold measurement. From the very first day of operation, the system enables precise reduction of the wall thickness to the minimum permissible value, ensuring significant material and cost savings.

Holger Lieder, Managing Director at SIKORA, says: “Our trade fair presentation impressively illustrates how modern measurement technology drives automation and enables sustainable production.”

With their joint trade fair presentation at Chinaplas 2026, the MAAG Group and SIKORA are demonstrating their combined expertise along the entire value chain of plastics processing. As Ueli Thürig concludes: “Our aim is not only to provide customers with first-class machines and systems, but also to support them as a long-term partner with in-depth process expertise.”