HIRSCH Maschinenbau was formed in 1985 with the aim of developing, producing and servicing machinery. It marked the beginning of internationalization of the HIRSCH Servo Group. The HIRSCH Servo Group with its two business segments, processing and technology, employs over 1,700 people whose expertise has put the company in an excellent position to play the leading role in the industry.
HIRSCH Maschinenbau is the technology leader in the manufacture of high-quality, flexible, and cost-effective plant and machinery for processing EPS and EPP and one of the top suppliers worldwide of innovative mechanical engineering and mold making technology for producing shape molded parts and insulation that has also gained the necessary expertise from in-house processing. This ensures that all the machines and systems are tailored to each other for reliable processes.
Their hallmark is long-lasting, user-friendly machines and systems that produce products of the highest quality primarily for the construction, electrical, food and packaging industries. The key objective is to build sustainable business relations with the customers based on trust and to support them by ensuring a high level of technical, economic and ecological standards in the long term.
Easy Engineering: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
HIRSCH MASCHINENBAU: As a company, we do not only aim at operating profitably but also at actively contributing to society, ecology, economy and social awareness. Therefore, we are constantly dealing with social responsibility, sustainable corporate management as well as the protection of the environment and of resources. Due to 50 years of experience in processing and manufacturing technology as well as of knowledge of material properties and application technology our machines have become the most energy-efficient ones in the world.
Together with our Czech sister company Novopol, we successfully completed the test run for the production of protective transport packaging made of 100% recycled EPS on a shape molding machine type „HES800” in December 2020 – fully complying with the idea of an efficient circular economy.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
HIRSCH MASCHINENBAU: The ranges are:
- Preexpander;
- Shape Molding Machines;
- Blockmold Machines;
- Cutting Lines;
- Molds.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
HIRSCH MASCHINENBAU: EPS market situation in Europe – Packaging:
- Sales volumes in the white goods, electronics sector remain at a very high level
- White goods manufacturers are “winners of the Corona crisis“
- Currently extremely high raw material price.
- Again, discussion about alternatives to EPS – Tendency for use of recycled EPS (ChemCycling, mechanical recycling, or recycling shares)
- The topic of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA’s) or Product Carbon Footprint calculations for a packaging unit are becoming more and more important.
EPS market situation in Europe – Insulation:
- Market performed very well at the end of last year. Volumes and yields were great, as raw material prices were low and sales prices remained stable.
- At the beginning of 2021 RM prices exploded, this caused several large price increases.
- Unrest in the market due to price volatility.
- The insulation market is still good and strong in Europe as many member states of the EU are still granting high subsidies for insulation and also due to COVID investment measures of the states in the construction sector are being pushed.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
HIRSCH MASCHINENBAU: Preexpander with Vacuum Technology
HIRSCH has been manufacturing batch Preexpanders since 1985 and has established itself as the technology leader for know-how and innovation. We are the best supplier of vacuum preexpanders, which ensures optimum stabilization, the most accurate density control and shorter storage time.
We do not just promise a minimum density tolerance, we deliver it!
Another benefit is the very small footprint of the Preexpander.
HS Shape Molding Machines for ICF production
With its HS series of molding machines, HIRSCH is the undisputed market leader in shuttle and ICF technology. HS machines have the simplest, cleanest, automatic and free stacking unit. HS machines are the most user-friendly and energy-efficient on the market.
HT8 – Shape Molding Machine for EPS
- Highest operator friendliness;
- Energy savings;
- Two independent cavities: Completely independent and separate control and use of both sides;
- No cycle time loss due to parallel production process;
- Environmentally friendly;
- Electric drive with spindle;
- Highly efficient vacuum cooling;
- High diversification of products;
- Fast/ easy mold change.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2021?
HIRSCH MASCHINENBAU: Due to the more than excellent incoming order situation, we are already looking forward to a successful business year.