In the latest exhibitor interview, we were delighted to talk to Dr. Eva Langhammer, General Manager at Granula Polymer.

Granula Polymer GmbH was founded in 1996 and is an ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified family-owned company based in Groß-Umstadt, Germany, specializing in the development and distribution of customized masterbatches and patented cleaning granulates. In addition to their core competencies of masterbatches, cleaning granules and consulting, they innovate through research.

What do you think sets your company apart from your competitors?

As an expert for thermoplastics with chemical know-how, our customers benefit from individual consulting. We are flexible and can adapt formulations specifically to the needs of our customers. For example, we can offer electrically conductive masterbatches based on a customer's desired thermoplastic as well as cleaning granulates that are effectively adjusted to the customer's machine and application.

Are there any new technology developments that your company is working on at the moment?

In addition to the ready-mix, effective cleaning granulate GranaClean, the latest innovations are biocidal, biocompatible GranaBac Masterbatches and glossy deep-black polyamide concentrates named GranaBlack.

What is special about GranaBac is that it can be added to thermoplastics as a masterbatch and that it has an antimicrobial effect against the most common bacteria. At the same time, it is biocompatible with human skin cells and is therefore also used, for example, in plastics that come into contact with skin, such as telephones.

GranaBlack is added to glass fiber filled polyamides and produces a glossy surface despite high glass fiber filling levels of 50%

What are the biggest challenges facing the industry today and how can this be overcome?

I think everyone in the plastics industry is aware of how it feels like one big challenge after another. Corona, war, supply chain bottlenecks and order intake declines sum up the challenges of the past three years. We are confident that through our research we will catch the trend of the times and continue to provide important and valuable products for our customers in the future.

How do you see the sector developing in the next five to ten years?

Political decisions, social trends and globalization are leading to more and more change. Quality requirements are constantly growing and, whether intentionally or not, one has to face today's international competitive pressure.  The trend to move production sites abroad will not be reversed in the coming years. Germany will have to prove itself and we are looking forward to playing our part and facing these challenges.

What are you most looking forward to at this years’ show?

In the past, I have enjoyed attending the Compounding World Expo because I found the presentations to be of high, scientific quality. I hope to do the same this year. In addition, Compounding World Expo is an excellent opportunity to maintain and expand one's supply chain.

Granula Polymer will be exhibiting at the Compounding World Expo Europe 2023.