25 Mar 2026 // Record Cost Leaps, Energy-Saving TCU Upgrades, and Colour Precision

In today’s brief:📈 Efficiency Leap: A South West injection moulder slashes cycle times by 8 seconds and cuts heating energy by 50% following a strategic upgrade to Tool-Temp’s MATIC units and IRIS control technology.⚠️ Manufacturing Costs Spike: UK factory costs hit a 44-year high as the Middle East conflict drives crude oil and gas prices up, with experts predicting at least six months of polymer price turbulence for the plastics sector.🤝 Strategic Partnership: CyTec UK is appointed as the official sales partner for FLEXQ Connectors in the UK and Ireland, enhancing the regional supply chain for high-performance connection solutions.🎨 Colour Control: PlastikCity visits VeriVide’s Leicester HQ to explore how digital imaging and the DigiEye system are helping processors manage the aesthetic challenges of recycled content and reduce manual approval times.🤖 Digital Strategy: Biesterfeld appoints Dr. Burkhard Zimmermann as Global Director of Digital and IT to lead the group’s international AI roadmap and drive operational excellence through data-driven decision-making.For the full stories, visit plastikmedia.co.uk.