Interview with Omar Galbusera, CEO Mahlo Italia
Challenges of the Plastics industry
How has the plastics industry changed in recent years from your perspective?
The plastics industry has undergone significant change in recent years. Manufacturers are increasingly focused on digitalization, sustainability and operational efficiency. As a result, real-time production data, automation and process control have become key priorities. The goal is clear: reduce waste, lower energy consumption and achieve more consistent production quality while remaining competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
What are customers expecting today that they didn’t expect five years ago?
Customer expectations have progressed considerably. Today, manufacturers are looking for complete process transparency and continuous access to production data. At the same time, they expect consistently high product quality, greater flexibility in production and lower energy consumption. Another growing requirement is the reliable processing of recycled materials without compromising quality or productivity.
Where do you currently see the biggest pressure on plastics manufacturers in Europe?
European plastics manufacturers are facing several challenges at the same time. High energy costs continue to impact competitiveness, while global competition remains intense. In addition, companies must comply with increasingly demanding sustainability regulations and meet growing expectations regarding efficiency, process transparency and traceability throughout the production chain.
What role does process transparency play in modern production environments?
Process transparency has become essential for modern manufacturing. Access to real-time production data allows manufacturers to identify deviations immediately, react faster and maintain stable product quality. Greater transparency not only helps reduce waste and improve efficiency but also supports continuous process optimization and more informed decision-making.
In your opinion, what separates highly efficient manufacturers from the rest of the market today?
The most efficient manufacturers are those that make intelligent use of production data and integrate quality control directly into their processes. They focus on minimizing waste, optimizing resources and maintaining full visibility of their operations. Equally important is the ability to adapt quickly to changing production requirements and customer demands.
What conversations at PLAST are you personally finding most interesting this year?
Many of the discussions at PLAST revolve around topics that are shaping the future of the industry. Sustainability remains a major focus, alongside energy efficiency and the stability of recycling processes. There is also strong interest in digitalization, artificial intelligence and smart process monitoring solutions that help manufacturers improve quality and productivity while reducing resource consumption.
If you could name one key topic the industry should focus on in the coming years, what would it be?
If I had to summarize it in a few words, it would be: smarter production with less waste. The future belongs to manufacturers who can use data and technology to make their processes more efficient, more sustainable and more flexible. Achieving more with fewer resources will be one of the industry's most important challenges - and opportunities - in the years ahead.