About us
Kautex was founded with the ambition to advance extrusion blow molding technology through engineering excellence, innovation, and responsibility.
Since 1935, we have combined German engineering tradition with continuous technological progress to deliver sustainable, future-ready production solutions for plastic products worldwide.
As part of the Jwell Machinery Group, Kautex Maschinenbau System GmbH develops smart machines and digital solutions that empower our customers to manufacture efficiently, sustainably, and with future-readiness in mind.
Our passion lies in sustainable plastics processing – whether through the use of recycled materials, the development of lightweight products, or the creation of digital twins for blow molding machines.
With a global team of around 230 specialists across sales, service, and R&D, we are internationally connected and locally responsive. Our wordlwide locations allow us to stay close to our customers and the pulse of the market.
Our legacy of innovation began with the invention of the world’s first commercial extrusion blow molding machine – and today, we continue to shape the future of the industry with smart technologies and sustainable solutions.
Kautex – Extrusion Blow Molding Technology with Responsibility.
Kautex doesn’t just deliver machines – we deliver material intelligence, simulation expertise, and fully aligned extruders, heads, and tooling. This ensures precise, efficient, and stable production processes – even with plastics and innovative materials.
At Kautex, sustainability isn’t a trend – it’s a true commitment: economically, socially, individually, and ecologically. From PCR processing to R-Cycle integration, we actively shape the circular economy. And we do so under one clear principle: Commitment Beyond Business.
Whether training, remote support, spare parts, or retrofit – Kautex Service is always there. Our digital twins and Technikum ensure maximum uptime and future-ready production.
For more than 90 years, Kautex has stood for the fusion of technology and values. But our true strength lies not in machines — it lies in the people behind them. Engineers, inventors, listeners, and doers work side by side to design, operate, service, and continuously push our technologies forward. Kautex is not a machine builder with employees; it is the people who shape it every day with responsibility, passion, and purpose.
Across engineering, service, production, and administration, our people embody what Kautex stands for: closeness, competence, and commitment. Their real stories and authentic perspectives reveal a culture built on partnership, progress, and unity. Because the future is built by those who take responsibility — with courage, ideas, and a shared belief in moving forward together.
Our Vision
• Technological leadership in the industry
• Sustainable solutions for customers and the environment
• An attractive employer for global talent
Our Mission
• High-quality machines with outstanding performance
• Services that support before problems arise
• A Technical Center that turns ideas into real solutions
• A brand built on heritage, commitment, and innovation
Our Values
• Connected – We listen, understand, and act.
• Progressive – We drive innovation.
• Trustworthy – We keep our promises.
• Experienced – We learn from the past.
• Forward-thinking – We act sustainably with a long-term perspective.
At Kautex Maschinenbau System GmbH, sustainability is not just a buzzword — it is a core commitment to taking responsibility for our customers, employees, environment, and society. Our vision is clear: to make our customers’ products not only better but also more sustainable. We see ourselves as pioneers driving the transition of the machinery manufacturing industry from a linear to a circular economy.
Our mission is to create a symbiosis of value creation and leading change by innovating and acting decisively. Our goal is to achieve 100% sustainable raw material usage and maximize material savings without compromising processing quality.
Thanks to our new ownership and efficient operational methods, we ensure financial stability and transparency. We openly share our KPIs to measure and communicate our progress. Building a strong brand and delivering projects with a clear end-to-end approach are key priorities for us.
We care not only for our employees but also for their families. Transparency with all stakeholders is a given. By engaging in diverse communication channels and partnering with schools, universities, and regional organizations, we foster a supportive and inclusive community.
We care not only for our employees but also for their families. Transparency with all stakeholders is a given. By engaging in diverse communication channels and partnering with schools, universities, and regional organizations, we foster a supportive and inclusive community.
Applying the principle of “right-weighting,” we enable sustainable customer products. Together with our partners, we close the Kautex Loop — a sustainable circular economy. We make this loop traceable by producing PIR and PCR plastics with our machinery and strive for maximum automation to reduce energy consumption and emissions.
The first 10 years of the company’s existence was a time of courage. The company’s founder, Reinold Hagen, became a businessman at the relatively young age of 22 following the premature death of his father.
Company
• 1935 The Galvanische Werkstätten(GalvanicWorkshops) are founded in Siegburg
• 1936 20 staff are employed at the 2,400 sq mfactory
• 1944 220 staff are employed in plasticsprocessing
Experiments with thermoplastic materials lead to the idea of blow molding plastics in such a way that they retain their shape. The first blow molding machines are developed for series production.
Company
• 1945 The companyis rebuilt in Hangelar nearBonn;commencement of machine manufacturing
• 1947 Kautex employs 47 staffReinold’s brothers, Norbert and Theo Hagen,join the company
Machinery
• 1949 Manufacture of the first machines forblow molding PVC tubes, and experiments withthermoplastic materials
• 1954 Production of the Standard V8 blowmolding machine for containers up to acapacity of 5 liters. The shuttle system onthese machines continues to be used until the1980s
Kautex enters the international market. lts globalexpansion begins with the export of machinery tothe USA.
Company
• 1955 First exports of blow molding machineryto the USA
Machinery
• 1963 Launch of the B series of machines at theplastics trade fair in Düsseldorf1963 Introduction of a high-performancemachine with multiple parisons and blowmolds
• 1964 Launch of the “K inside a circle” logo
Kautex sets the standards in machineryperformance with breakthroughs such as the 5,000liter tank and the introduction of internationalservicing.
Company
• 1972 The company becomes a limited liabilitycompany (GmbH)
Machinery
• 1968 Launch of the KEB series with fully-automated production of hollow bodies madefrom thermoplastic materials
• 1972 0ptimization of the KEB series:“single.cell” (KEB 1 and KEB 4) with improvedPerformance
• 1972 Launch of the KB 250 at the plastics tradefair in Paris
The machinery division goes its own way: KautexMaschinenbau GmbH is established as a spin-off ofthe main Kautex company and is taken over byFried. Krupp GmbH.
Company
• 1977 Taken over by Krupp
Machinery
• Kautex blow molding machines become a keyelement of VW’s production lines in Wolfsburg
Mechanical engineering becomes digitized andpaves the way to optimizing control and monitoringprocesses.
Company
• 1986-1988 Construction of new manufacturingand administration buildings
• 1989 The company employs 500 staff
• Expansion of the after-sales service
Machinery
• 1992 Launch of the KBS series
This decade sees a boom in demand for machinery for producing plastic fuel tanks. Kautex continues to thrive despite a series of takeovers and a merger.
Company
• 1995 Founding of Shunde Krupp Chen Plastics Technology Co. Ltd. (China)
• 2000 Sale to SIG Holding AG of Switzerland and change of company name to SIG Blowtec GmbH
• 2000 The company achieves a global production capacity of 30 million fuel tanks per year.
• 2002 Change of company name to SIG Kautex GmbH & Co. KG
• 2003 The company sets up another subsidiary in Italy (Olgiate Olona) and concentrates on technical customer service
• 2004 Transfer of shares to ADCURAM Beteiligungs AG and change of name to Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH
• 2004 Krupp Chen changes its name to Shunde Kautex Plastics Technology Co. Ltd.
The self-discovery phase has paid off: Kautex focuses on its goals and takes the lead in the global blow molding industry.
Company
• 2005 Dr Olaf Weiland and Andreas Lichtenauer become the managing directors of the company
• 2005 Shunde Kautex (China) becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kautex
• 2005 Kautex hosts an in-house trade fair after a long interval
• 2006 Refurbishment and expansion of the Kautex Technikum
• 2007 First management buyout enables 5 Kautex managers to purchase shares in the company Majority shareholder ADCURAM is replaced by Steadfast Capital (Frankfurt/Main)
• Introduction of process organization system
• 2010 Kautex takes over the international sales and marketing of Rikutec machinery (multilayer accumulator heads)
• 2011 Sales and service office opens in Moscow, Russia
• 2012 Construction and modernization of the new Technikum in Bonn
• 2013 Second management buyout results in management having a majority shareholding. Steadfast replaced as principal shareholder by Capiton AG (Berlin)
• 2013 Staff are able to buy shares in the company for the first time
• 2013 New factory opens in Shunde, China
• 2013 Sales and service office opens in Bangalore, India
• 2015 Nearly 6,000 Kautex machines in operation around the world
Plastech Beteiligungs GmbH (family holding Neumann / Knünz) takes over ~93% of the company shares.
Company
• 2015 The company celebrates 80th anniversary of the brand Kautex
• 2015 Nearly 6,000 Kautex machines in operation around the world
• 2018 Plastech Beteiligungs GmbH (family holding Neumann / Knünz) becomes the new majority shareholder with a 74.9 percent stake
• 2020 The company celebrates 85th anniversary of the brand Kautex
• 2020 Generation change in the company management with new vision, philosophy and mission referring to the roots of Reinold Hagen
• 2021 Plastech Beteiligungs GmbH (family holding Neumann / Knünz) take over ~93% of company shares
Kautex is at home around the world and yet always close.
With manufacturing and R&D sites in Germany and China, an international sales network, and service hubs on multiple continents, we’re exactly where our customers need us: fast, reliable, and competent.
Our global presence isn’t just a fact — it’s a promise: to support you on site, with technical expertise, personal connection, and customized solutions. Always on. Always Kautex.
Discover how global thinking and local action come together at Kautex.
Success is a team effort.
Our partners are innovators, collaborators, and quality drivers.
Get to know the trusted names that shape the future of blow molding with us.
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