SWARCO Indusferica All-Rounder Edition 4-2023 English

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
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.
© Ebner/Premium Headshots
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.
BLASTING TO
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.
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 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.
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
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.

RESEARCH TEAM
USES NEW TOOL FOR
“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.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
MEASURING PARTICLE SIZE
Manuel Ramos works in the Research &
Development department. He talks about new
standard procedures to determine particle size.
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.
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
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.
BENEFITS AT A GLANCE:
WORK-LIFE-BALANCE
This was important to us here at
SWARCO before everyone
else started talking about it.
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
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.
STAY HEALTHY
Workplace health promotion for our staff
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
ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYER
OUR MISSION
We leverage the
universal benefits
of glass beads for
your special industry
applications, in
energy-efficient
ways.
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
Students get to know SWARCO.
OUR VALUES
Efficiency,
Diversity,
Intelligence
OUR MOTTO
Universal Efficiency
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
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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.
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.
“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.
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.