News and Updates from SWARCO Indusferica Issue 4 | 2023
EVENTS IN 2023 Experts discuss the latest in the industry at Fakuma and Kompetenznetzwerk Strahlmittel meeting
ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYER
Future Day with HAK in Waidhofen an der Ybbs
SUSTAINABILITY
Distribution partner Grolman certified by EcoVadis and SBTi
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT New tool for measuring particle size
EVENTS
© Ebner/Premium Headshots
SUCCESSFUL SHOWING AT FAKUMA
Dear readers, With 2023 drawing to an end, I would like to seize this opportunity to look back on the successes SWARCO Indusferica has achieved this year. The rebranding including the name change at mid-year was a milestone. Taking the helm as we are steering this new course has been energizing and has filled me with pride. Together we engaged in a productive dialogue with colleagues from the industry on different occasions and were able to focus even more on sustainability in all areas. For the first time, we hosted the meeting of the Kompetenznetzwerk Strahlmittel this year, a competence network on blasting media, and I am very pleased that the event was a resounding success. Our guests were very impressed with our innovative strength, our focus on sustainability and our state-of-the-art Global Glass Beads Technology Center. Our showing at Fakuma, the world’s leading trade fair for industrial plastics processing, was equally successful. As we are approaching the end of the year, I would like to thank all staff and clients for their excellent cooperation. I wish you all a merry Christmas and all the best for the new year to come and I look forward to another successful year together! Best regards,
The international trade fair Fakuma is considered an important industry event in plastics processing. SWARCO Indusferica participated in the fair held in Friedrichshafen, Germany, from 17 to 21 October 2023, and had a booth at the event. SWARCO Indusferica took full advantage of the fair to showcase the special properties of SWARCOFORCE glass filler beads and attracted numerous interested customers who stopped by the booth to learn more. Along with the special product properties of SWARCOFORCE glass filler beads, additive manufacturing, the use of 3D printers in industrial applications, was also a popular topic at Fakuma. In this context, SWARCO Indusferica’s tailor-made solutions based on its wide variety of glass filler beads made a compelling case.
The glass beads can be added to 3D-printed base materials to modify and optimize the materials’ properties to meet clients’ specific needs. Used as high-grade filling agents, SWARCOFORCE glass filler beads enhance the physical properties of plastics. They impact the properties of the end product, such as rigidity and pressure resistance, warping and shrinking behaviour, colour and surface gloss. “With our high innovative strength, we are continually setting new standards in the glass bead industry,” says Andreas Peham. Sustainability, a topic that is so relevant for our future, also played an important role at Fakuma. The plastics community discussed further developments in recycling and in the transformation towards a circular economy.
BLASTING TO THE TOP The most recent meeting of the Kompetenznetzwerk Strahlmittel, a competence network on blasting media, focused on corrosion protection, sustainability and innovations. The meeting of the Kompetenznetzwerk Strahlmittel takes place once a year at the premises of an industry representative, and was hosted for the first time by SWARCO Indusferica this year. From 27 to 28 September 2023, colleagues from the industry met at the SWARCO Global Glass Beads Technology Center in Neufurth, Austria. During a guided tour of the Center, participants gained comprehensive insights into SWARCO Indusferica’s processes and were impressed with its innovative strength and focus on sustainability. Sustainability was also at the center of the presentation given by Wolfgang Stark, Managing Director of Ökoplus. Stark described the opportunities and risks in blasting technology resulting from the EU’s European Green Deal, which provides a roadmap with actions to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent. “Sustainability is about optimizing the entire life cycle of a product. This requires the cooperation of all involved,” Stark emphasized. The subsequent presentation by Fred Hilgenfeldt and Nicole Senycia from PwC was dedicated to the implementation of legal sustainability requirements.
Andreas Peham, host of the Kompetenznetzwerk meeting, is very pleased with the great interest shown by his colleagues from the industry.
About 45 participants attended the meeting of the Kompetenznetzwerk Strahlmittel in Neufurth, hosted by SWARCO Indusferica.
In her presentation, Nicole Senycia from PwC focused on the implementation of legal sustainability requirements.
It All Depends on the Right Technology On day 2 of the network meeting, the blasting technology experts focused on coatings for hydraulic steel structures and efficient abrasive blasting. The meeting of the Kompetenznetzwerk Strahlmittel is organized by the Institut für Korrosionsschutz Dresden GmbH.
Andreas Peham Business Development SWARCO Indusferica
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
RESEARCH TEAM USES NEW TOOL FOR MEASURING PARTICLE SIZE Manuel Ramos works in the Research & Development department. He talks about new standard procedures to determine particle size. “Choosing the right particle size distribution of glass filler beads is a key aspect in the creation of plastic formulations, significantly influencing the ultimate performance and quality of the products,” Manuel Ramos explains. According to Ramos, SWARCO Indusferica’s expertise lies in collaborating closely with its clients to pinpoint a suitable particle size distribution which enables optimal improvements in polymer composites. There are multiple techniques used to assess precise particle sizes: “We prefer laser diffraction. The laser diffraction method relies on the scattering of light that occurs when a light beam interacts with a particle,” Ramos adds. The angle and intensities of the diffracted light beams are recorded and then analyzed using a mathematical model which reveals the exact particle size distribution of the sample. As with any analytical technique, the accuracy of the results hinges on meticulously tailored testing conditions. For this purpose, the research teams conducted a comprehensive data analysis and systematically assessed the implications of different settings. The outcome served as the basis for preparing specialized standard operating procedures (SOPs), which were meticulously customized by SWARCO Indusferica for each variant of the glass filler beads manufactured at our state-of-the-art production facilities. “This exemplifies SWARCO Indusferica’s commitment to advancing technical capabilities to meet
ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYER
Staff Benefits at SWARCO in Neufurth, Austria Employees are offered a broad array of benefits, perks and discounts. The focus is on health and sustainability. Benefits include a company cafeteria, volunteer hours as part of the “Giving Back” initiative, fresh fruit and coffee every day, and an office gym. Other offers to help keep staff healthy include a company physician, lectures on health-related topics and discounted massages. To support sustainable mobility, SWARCO Indusferica provides charging points and pool cars that are also available for personal use. Company outings promote a good collaborative work environment.
BENEFITS AT A GLANCE: WORK-LIFE-BALANCE This was important to us here at SWARCO before everyone else started talking about it.
Following the technical particle-size analysis, Manuel Ramos and his colleagues carried out a comprehensive data analysis.
the specific needs of our clients. We harness cutting-edge technology and promote expert knowledge to enhance the benefits of the tools we use on a daily basis. All this testifies to our relentless pursuit of market excellence,” Ramos affirms.
EVENTS AND TEAM BUILDING
Only together we are strong. Joint team activities help reinforce this.
INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
This means a secure job, variety, great people and inclusion.
PAY
Attractive pay based on your qualifications and professional experience
STAY HEALTHY
Workplace health promotion for our staff
INTERNATIONAL
DISTRIBUTION PARTNER GROLMAN
Our partner is certified sustainable two times over.
It’s been two years that SWARCO Indusferica has been working together with the international distributor Grolman Group. Now, the Grolman Group has received two notable certifications. At the end of August, the Grolman Group was awarded a platinum rating by the EcoVadis rating company, which demonstrates the Group’s unwavering commitment to sustainable business practices. EcoVadis provides sustainability ratings for companies. These evidence-based ratings help monitor and improve the business and trade partners’ sustainability performance.
In addition, the Grolman Group’s net-zero targets have now been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making the Group the first SME in the chemical industry worldwide that pursues such high targets. The Grolman Group has committed to reducing its emissions by 90% by 2050. “We believe that achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is feasible,” explains CEO Florian Grolman. Grolman wants to tackle this challenge together with its partners. In order to reduce carbon emissions, innovations in the processing of raw materials have to be combined with technical options such as energy efficiency, carbon-free power generation and electrification. SWARCO Indusferica would like to congratulate the Grolman Group on these impressive achievements and ambitious goals.
AUTONOMY AND ROOM TO GROW You work autonomously and grow together with SWARCO.
EXTRA BENEFITS ON SITE
Massages and an office gym for all staff
FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS
Together, we find the best solution. To make life easier for you, too.
GREAT JOBS
Comprehensive and varied insights into the professional field of transport, traffic and mobility.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Our traffic-optimizing solutions actively contribute to environmental protection worldwide.
CONTINUOUS LEARNING
Benefit from comprehensive onboarding and continuing training opportunities – on a professional and personal level.
GOOD FOOD FOR YOU
Our cosy cafeteria offers subsidized regional meals to keep us healthy and fed. We also enjoy fresh fruit, beverages and sweets.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OUR MISSION
We leverage the universal benefits of glass beads for your special industry applications, in energy-efficient ways.
ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYER
FUTURE DAY Future Day dedicated to sustainability and the circular economy offered HAK students the opportunity to explore the topics in-depth at the SWARCO Global Glass Beads Technology Center.
OUR VISION
Industrial glass beads by SWARCO Indusferica – the world’s preferred choice in all niches OUR VALUES
Efficiency, Diversity, Intelligence OUR MOTTO
Universal Efficiency
Students get to know SWARCO. For Future Day on 29 March, SWARCO invited the first-year students from the HAK in Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria, a higher vocational college specialized in sustainable business and commerce, to the SWARCO Global Glass Beads Technology Center in Neufurth. The focus was on the circular economy and sustainability. After a guided tour of the Center, the young people met with CSR Specialist Martina Dobner and Friedrich Wiesinger, Team Leader Product Development, both from SWARCO RMS, and learned about green products and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The students also presented their views on these topics based on the following questions they had prepared in
advance: What defines a sustainable company that acts responsibly? What do I think successful CSR communication looks like in a company? What do I want my future workplace to be like? What is particularly important to me? After the presentations, the young people discussed the results with the management. A Creative Employer with Expertise The next thematic day, dedicated to SWARCO as an employer in the region, already took place in November this year. This time, the invitation was extended to the third-year students from the HAK Waidhofen an der Ybbs, who were also given valuable insights into the world of SWARCO.
SWARCO INDUSFERICA DONATES TO RESET Donations for the “Giving Back” initiative Follow. Like. Share.
SWARCO Indusferica indusferica@swarco.com www.swarco.com/indusferica
Imprint: Responsible for content: SWARCO Indusferica, Wipark, 14. Straße 11, 3363 Neufurth, Austria, www.swarco.com/indusferica Idea, design and artwork: Kommhaus, www.kommhaus.com Photos: shutterstock (Cover), Ebner/Premium Headshots (portrait, p. 2); other photos: SWARCO Indusferica (6) | English translation: Irina Pálffy-Daun-Seiler | Printed by druck.at| Subject to change without notice. No liability for errors or misprints. For the sake of brevity, only one gender may be used on occasion. However, this does not imply any discrimination against the other gender. If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, please send an email to indusferica@swarco.com.
“We are always happy to receive in-kind and monetary donations for our clients who are in need of support. A big thank you to regional companies like M. Swarovski GmbH which, in addition to their economic responsibility, also make social contributions in the region,” emphasizes Bettina Mühlberger, in charge of reset, a competence center for child and adolescent psychiatry in Amstetten. The reset team is happy about SWARCO Indusferica’s donations (from left to right): Stephanie Müller (Marketing, SWARCO Indusferica), Franz Mühlberger (Neurofeedback Therapist, reset), Bettina Mühlberger (Occupational Therapist and Head of reset) and Matthias Bauernfried (Operations Manager, M. Swarovski GmbH) As part of the “Giving Back” initiative, SWARCO Indusferica donated glass marbles and soap bubble toys to reset, a competence center for child and adolescent psychiatry in Amstetten, Austria. The donations will go to children and young people who come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
reset is a conventional medical center that supports families in difficult situations with its multi-professional team of specialized doctors, psychologists, psychotherapists, logotherapists and occupational therapists. The center specializes in treating children and adolescents dealing with challenging behaviours, anxiety, truancy, mental illnesses, difficulty concentrating or socio-emotional problems. Through the “Giving Back” initiative, M. Swarovski GmbH puts its social and ecological responsibility into action and supports select politically independent organizations and nature conservation projects in the region with monetary and in-kind donations.