MOCOM strengthens expertise in sustainability through consolidation with recycling specialist WIPAG

Hamburg, October 12, 2023. MOCOM Compounds GmbH & Co. KG, a compounder of thermoplastic polymers, expands its know-how in sustainability through a consolidation with WIPAG GmbH. This move emphasizes the company's focus on sustainable products as well as plastics for lightweight and lighting applications. Both companies are part of the family-owned Otto Krahn Group GmbH, based in Hamburg, and will operate in the market under the brand name MOCOM in the future.

"MOCOM and WIPAG represent the compounding sector of our group of companies. To leverage synergies and meet the increased demand for recycled products, we are merging the two companies," says Philip O. Krahn, CEO of the Otto Krahn Group. "We believe that together, under the MOCOM brand, they form a strong team, and our customers and partners will benefit from this."

"The company is on an exciting journey towards becoming a role model company – not only for the plastics processing industry," explains Jens Kaatze, CEO of MOCOM. "Through the organizational merger, we are pooling individual strengths. This not only expands the MOCOM product portfolio but also deepens our knowledge in sustainability: our common goal is to offer a sustainable alternative for every prime material."

The changes associated with the consolidation will be implemented step by step. They will not have any impact on customers, contract partners, or existing business relationships. "It may happen that we restructure the production of individual products within Germany. However, such changes will be communicated to the affected companies in a timely manner," adds Jens Kaatze. "We will already appear together under the brand name MOCOM at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen."

As a result of the merger, MOCOM will produce at the German locations in Gardelegen, Hamburg and Zuelpich, as well as in Changshu (China) and Duncan (USA).

Closed-Loop Solutions and Recyclates

The consolidation also offers MOCOM the opportunity to reposition itself in the market: knowledge of circular economy concepts and use of recyclates are important pillars in the strategic orientation. In the future, the compounder will provide enhanced advice to customers and partners on sustainability, the use of recyclates, and circular solutions. The sustainable compounds WIC, WIPAFLEX, and WIPELAST from WIPAG complement the current ECO product portfolio of MOCOM optimally.

Lighting and Lightweight

As part of the new strategic direction, the compounder increasingly focuses on the extensive ECO portfolio and compounds for lightweight applications, which are used, among other things, in applications in the field of e-mobility. Based on Post Consumer Recyclate (PCR) and Post Industrial Recyclate (PIR), MOCOM offers a broad technical product portfolio of sustainable materials under the brands Altech® ECO and Alfater XL® ECO. MOCOM also develops custom compounds made from bio-based raw materials. The extensive lighting portfolio is also complemented by recyclate-based solutions such as Alcom® LB ECO, which is used in reflector applications due to its highly reflective and light-tight properties, as well as Alcom® LD ECO for light-diffusing applications.

New Production Hall for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Compounds

In order to further expand the range of sustainable lightweight solutions, a new production building is currently being built in Germany for the manufacturing of high-quality carbon fiber reinforced compounds. "The construction of the new production facility in Gardelegen is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year," says Jens Kaatze. "We will start with one extrusion line and the equipment for processing the carbon fibers from post-industrial waste for compounding. The hall is dimensioned in such a way that additional extrusion lines can be accommodated," adds Kaatze. Starting in 2024, more than 3,000 tons of high-quality carbon fiber reinforced compounds can be produced. The reuse of carbon fibers from post industrial waste significantly reduces the CO₂-footprint of the resulting very light and highly durable plastics.

MOCOM is exhibiting its sustainable portfolio at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen. From October 17 to 21, the company can be found at booth 4206 in hall B4.

About MOCOM

MOCOM GmbH & Co. KG, with its headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, is a global compounder of thermoplastic polymers. The company offers the plastics processing industry a comprehensive product range of high-performance plastics as well as sustainable technical compound solutions. 

In addition to specialties (Alcom®, Tedur®) and customized products (Altech®, Altech NXT® PP, Alfater XL®), the portfolio includes a variety of near-to-prime recycling products (Alcom® ECO, Altech® ECO, Alfater XL® ECO). Also part of the sustainable portfolio is the lightweight compound WIC, which is made from secondary carbon fiber, and the products WIPAFLEX and WIPELAST. In addition, MOCOM uses innovative recycling technologies to process plastic waste streams, which are reused as valuable materials in the products of the following industries: Automotive, Electric and Electronics, Home and Garden as well as Sports and Leisure.

As part of the Hamburg-based Otto Krahn Group, MOCOM employs around 900 people with production sites in Germany, USA and China. 

MOCOM was awarded Gold by the independent rating agency EcoVadis. The company is also certified in accordance with the IATF 16949 and ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.

For more information, visit mocom.eu/en.