Floris Koers

Rolf Geerdink

Marthijn Koorn

Daan Buitenhuis

The past two weeks were entirely focused on knowledge exchange and strengthening the rotational moulding industry. During the Rototour 2024 in Brazil, rotational moulders from around the world gathered to share ideas and visit local moulders. In this article, we share our key insights and experiences from this intensive and inspiring journey full of valuable encounters.

Knowledge exchange during the Rototour 2024

At Pentas, we highly value long-term relationships and collaborations with our customers. This is especially true for Protonna B.V., a loyal partner from the very beginning. In this blog, you’ll read about our collaboration, as told by Huibert Groenendijk, founder and director of Protonna.

Customer stories: Protonna BV

Just in Time (JIT) is a logistics method for inventory control that belongs to lean manufacturing, originating in Japan. It means delivering exactly what the customer needs “just in time.”

 ‘Just in sequence’ a step further than ‘just in time

Since the establishment of Pentas, we have built extensive experience in foaming rotational moulding products. Our origins lie in the production of rotationally moulded polyethylene (PE) surfboards. These surfboards, which are hollow due to the rotational moulding process, were filled with polyurethane foam (PU) to provide the necessary rigidity.

The foaming of rotationally moulded products

Rotational moulding is a versatile manufacturing technique that can also be applied in the production of packaging. This technique is particularly suited for creating hollow products, making it ideal for packaging materials such as plastic pallets, storage tanks, transport and storage containers, IBC containers (Intermediate Bulk Containers), and plastic barrels and drums. In this article, we will discuss the various applications and advantages of rotomoulded packaging materials.

Rotomoulded packaging material

Pentas operates in various markets with a large number of customers. We value strong relationships and long-term collaborations with these customers. For example, we have been working with many customers since the founding of Pentas. In this article, we speak with Paul Maas and dive deeper into our collaboration with PreZero, one of our diverse customers.

Customer stories PreZero Netherlands

Rotational moulding is a unique production method used to create hollow plastic products. This technique is particularly suitable due to its ability to produce large, durable objects with uniform wall thickness and complex shapes. In this article, we would like to tell you more about the steps involved in the rotational moulding process.

The rotational moulding process

The future of rotational moulding will be driven by technological advancements and the growing demand for sustainable production methods. In this blog, we look at the developments, recent trends, and innovations within the industry.

The future of rotational moulding

The importance of transparent and accurate information about every phase of our production process is increasingly significant due to recycling opportunities and quality control. From raw materials and assembly to final product properties and transport, every detail is meticulously recorded and traceable through our advanced Critical to Quality (CTQ) system.

Comprehensive quality management and traceability at Pentas

At Pentas, we take pride in the wide range of products we can manufacture using our rotational moulding process. Rotational moulding is an extremely versatile technique used in numerous markets and countries. Our products range in weight from 500 grams to 100 kilograms, and the applications are just as diverse. Whether it’s urinals for events, fuel tanks for agricultural machinery, buoys at sea, or water tanks in campers – our production currently exceeds a thousand unique products.

More than a thousand products: The versatility of rotational moulding

Over four years ago, on January 22, 2020, Pentas took a significant step towards sustainability. With the support of the Almelose aldermen Maathuis and Van Mierlo, the installation of 1,660 solar panels on the roof of our factory was initiated. In this article, we reflect on the impact of four years of solar energy at Pentas.

Solar Panels at Pentas: Four Years Later

At Pentas, we use various rotational moulding machines to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Our facility is equipped with 10 carousel machines and 1 advanced Rock and Roll machine, together providing a wide range of production capabilities.

Which rotational moulding machines do we have?

Rotational moulding is a popular choice for a wide range of applications. In this article, we discuss the various materials used in rotational moulding, their properties, and the factors influencing the choice of material for specific applications.

Materials for Rotational Moulding

The offshore industry operates in some of the most challenging and unpredictable environments in the world. Whether it’s drilling rigs, wind farms, oil platforms, or maritime installations, the materials and products used in this sector must be exceptionally durable, strong, and reliable. Pentas offers rotational moulding as a versatile and robust manufacturing technique that perfectly meets the demanding needs of the offshore market.

Rotational moulding in the offshore market

At Pentas, automating processes has been ingrained in our DNA since our inception. We embrace this strength by deploying a series of specialized robots that support our production process and our colleagues. From accurately weighing and dosing raw materials to advanced robotic operations in the post-processing department, our robots play a crucial role in enhancing efficiency, consistency, and quality.

Robots for efficiency and consistency in the production process

Within the available rotational moulding materials, polyethylene (PE) is the most common. There are significant differences within this category, but generally, they can be categorized into Linear Polyethylene (LPE or LLDPE) and Crosslink Polyethylene (XLPE). Each of these prominent materials has unique properties, which are discussed further in this article.

The importance of material choice: A comparison of Linear and Cross Linked Polyethylene

Within the manufacturing industry, we face a crucial challenge: retaining our expertise. In collaboration with Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the University of Twente, and other partners, we are making a significant step forward by integrating augmented reality (AR) into our processes. This initiative aims to capture and transfer essential knowledge within our organization.

Innovation in knowledge retention: The role of augmented reality

Obtaining a TÜV certification for plastic fuel tanks is a process that assesses both the quality of the end product and the manufacturing process itself. TÜV is an internationally recognized certification body based in Berlin. They test and evaluate the safety and quality of products, systems, and services.

TÜV certification for plastic fuel tanks

Rotational moulding is known as an advanced manufacturing process in which plastic powder is placed inside a mould. This mould is heated while rotating around two perpendicular axes. Due to this unique rotation, the plastic powder melts and evenly coats the inside of the mould. This results in a hollow product with a lot of design freedom regarding shapes and throughputs, something that is often difficult to achieve with other methods.

The art of mould making

For half a century, Pentas has been at the forefront of innovation, manufacturing the most complex products through rotational molding for a wide range of customers. Our extensive experience has created a treasure trove of history, ranging from producing surfboards to realizing an award-winning plastic tank for CLAAS. We are eager to share more about all our highlights in 50 years of Pentas.

Our history at a glance

The plastics industry is facing significant changes, as the assumption of using virgin materials for manufacturing products is shifting. This change is driven by increasing environmental awareness and the need to reduce the consumption of new raw materials. There is an urgent demand for smart ways to reuse and recycle plastic waste, with reference to the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) within European regulations.

The future of recycling in the rotational moulding industry: challenges, innovations, and sustainability

When you take a break from dancing, you might be sitting on a rotationally moulded picnic bench from our factory in Almelo. Besides picnic tables, we make many more products that make your day at the festival grounds more enjoyable. In this blog, we tell you everything about the rotationally moulded products from our factory that you can spot at your next festival.

Rotationally moulded products at the festival grounds

Rotational moulding offers unique advantages and challenges that must be well understood to design and produce successfully. In this article, we dive into the key design rules and considerations for rotational moulding.

Design rules for rotational moulding

At Pentas, we are continuously committed to making our rotational molding process more sustainable and efficient. We achieve this by embracing new technologies, among other methods. Over the past few years, LyondellBasell has been working on a new material called Icorene 1490. We have tested this material in practice with them, which ultimately led to very impressive results.

The same rotational molding product but with 40% less energy thanks to Icorene 1490

On Monday, March 4, Pentas Moulding had the pleasure of hosting the team from Budde Industrie Design, based in Münster, Germany. Budde, a renowned design agency specializing in transport design, industrial design, and consumer products, visited us to deepen their expertise in rotational molding and gain insight into our processes.

Budde Industrie Design Visits Pentas Moulding

At the beginning of this year, we at Pentas made a technological leap by integrating the Handyscan 3D Max into our operational processes, achieved with the expert support of EMS Benelux. This state-of-the-art 3D scanner, which excels with an accuracy of up to 0.15 mm, is crucial for delivering demanding products to customers.

Handyscan 3D Max: Precision in production, mold making, and quality control

Thursday, February 8th - Today, we welcomed a group of 50 status holders and civic integration teachers at Pentas Moulding. In collaboration with the ROC of Twente, Aqua+, Novon, Kleurrijk & Niverplast, we organized for the third time a company tour along various enterprises in Twente.

Pentas Welcomes status holders

Last Thursday it was time: the teachers' tour organized by the ROC of Twente. During the tour, various Twente companies that offer opportunities to status holders, welcomed integration teachers and client managers from the municipalities of Almelo, Wierden, and Rijssen.

Pentas Welcomes ROC Teachers Tour

Rotational Molding is an essential method across various sectors. In this blog post, we'll discuss rotational molding and its application in producing tanks, fenders, and air ducts for agricultural machinery. To produce these parts and meet the high demands of the agricultural sector, expertise is needed.

Rotational molding in the agricultural sector

In our first blog post, we highlighted the early years and the founding of Pentas. Now, in this sequel, we delve deeper into the history and reveal the further developments that have shaped Pentas.

History of Pentas Moulding 1981 - 2022

At Pentas, we strive for perfection in all aspects of our organization, with a special focus on the well-being of our employees. Creating a healthy work environment for all our staff is reflected in various initiatives, such as "Fruit at Work."

Eat healthier lunches with Fruit at Work

At Pentas, we actively contribute to the vitality of our over 150 employees. With special attention to healthy nutrition and physical activity, we aim for a vibrant work environment. This commitment to a healthy work environment is reflected in various initiatives, including our sports program, 360° Fit.

360° Fit exercising during working hours

Looking back at the origins of Pentas Moulding B.V., we find ourselves in the 1970s. Surfing is popular, but the widespread windsurfing craze of the 1980s is yet to unfold.

History of Pentas Moulding 1975-1980

Giving language lessons, at work.

Twente experienced a unique day on Tuesday, May 23rd. A group of 40 refugees with residence permits, who are in the final stages of acquiring a Dutch passport, participated in a unique company tour. 

Unique Initiative for Refugees through Education and Local Businesses

Pentas Moulding B.V., a leading European company in the production of plastic products through rotational molding, and Produsoft, a specialist in production software, join forces with the implementation of the 5-axis CADCAM system WORKNC. This collaboration leads to a more efficient and flexible production of rotational molding molds.

Pentas Moulding and Produsoft join forces with WORKNC: Innovation and efficiency in rotational molding molds.

Pentas Moulding B.V. relies on state-of-the-art milling technology from Fooke and saves 50% of the machining time in the production of aluminum moulds.

New innovative manufacturing process brings ideas into shape even more effectively

Every product starts as an idea. But the road from idea to a production-ready product is a speciality. Our speciality.  

From idea to product, here is how rotational moulding works

We will receive and install a new rotational moulding machine from Reinhardt. This will be an expansion of our existing  machinery.

Pentas continues to expand its machinery

The high quality of Pentas’ rotational moulding is realised by our staff and our robots.

Efficiency thanks to robots

The eleventh rotational moulding machine has now been added to our machinery. This fast machine was selected for its efficiency and sustainability.

Eleventh rotational moulding machine makes the process even more sustainable

The plastics manufacturing industry has countless processes for the production of plastic products. In addition to rotational moulding, blow moulding and injection moulding are the most important ones.

Rotational moulding compared to other production techniques

Pentas Moulding from Almelo uses the cashback promotion by Overijssel Province for high-speed doors. But that is just a minor measure considering what the plastics specialist is undertaking to save and generate energy.

 Saving energy at the drawing board

The week of technology brought some extra liveliness to the factory floor this week. Pentas was visited by two elementary schools.

 Enthusiastic kids during Week of Technology

The first evaluation shows that employees are excited about Pentas’ extensive vitality programme.

Exercising and meditating

Thanks to our sophisticated wall thickness design, the new fuel tanks are 25% lighter with identical stability. This allows CLAAS to improve their fuel efficiency without compromising on safety.

Lighter tank saves fuel

In a nutshell, agility and confidential information security are the benefits of in-house mould construction.

Clients appreciate in-house mould construction

, we are continuously committed to making our 

 more sustainable and efficient. We achieve this by embracing new technologies, among other methods. Over the past few years, 

 has been working on a new material called Icorene 1490. We have tested this material in practice with them, which ultimately led to very impressive results. The material requires much less energy to melt into a quality product, which not only reduces our ecological footprint but also improves the quality and efficiency of our production.

Icorene 1490 is an advanced plastic, part of the medium density linear polyethylene category. This means it is made from chains of polyethylene with a medium density, making the material strong and versatile.

A key feature of Icorene 1490 is its excellent resistance to crack growth under stress (ESCR), indicating that the material is very resistant to cracks caused by external factors such as chemicals or extreme weather conditions. Additionally, Icorene 1490 has a high impact strength at low temperatures, down to -40°C, making it exceptionally durable, even in cold environments.

A significant advantage of Icorene 1490 is that it can be processed quickly, resulting in shorter cycle times and high performance. This means we can save time and energy during the production process, leading to greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

At Pentas, we see the benefits of Icorene 1490 daily, such as in the production of our 110-liter gray water tank, where we observe a considerable reduction in production time. The quality and durability of products made with Icorene 1490 are impressive. They are not only high in quality of finish but also exhibit excellent resistance to impacts, which is essential for our customers in the recreational vehicle sector.

Normally, our standard material requires a processing time of at least 18 minutes in a 300°C oven. Afterward, we cool it for 20 minutes, which brings our total rotation time to 20 minutes, and we produce a part every 7 minutes. Now that we have switched to Icorene 1490, we can reduce the oven temperature to 270°C and shorten the rotation time to 11 minutes, allowing us to produce a part every 4 minutes.

Zelfde rotatiegietproduct maar dan met 40% minder energie dankzij Icorene 1490

At Pentas, we are in search of a talented and technically skilled CAD Engineer. Are you a creative thinker with a passion for engineering, and do you have experience in developing products and moulds? Then you might be the person we are looking for!

Vacancy CAD Engineer

Are you adept at seamlessly navigating between clients and production? Do you possess a strong understanding of both commerce and technology?

Vacancy Commercial project manager

Can you convert a cool idea into a working drawing in no time? Do you effortlessly interface between the client and production? Does a technical environment float your boat? You will love this vacancy because our technology revolves around you. As a technical project leader, you make the drawings and coordinate production. Together, we will make the most complex, technically innovative plastic products.

Vacancy Technical Project Leader

Do you like to sharpen your technical horizon? Are you a perfectionist go-getter? Do you like to work in a motivated team? Give your career an interesting spin with this position because our technology revolves around you. With your qualities, you will be highly appreciated as our Mould Construction Worker. Together, we will make technically innovative plastic products.

Vacancy Technical department officer

Do you like to sharpen your technical horizon? Are you a perfectionist go-getter? Do you like to work in a motivated team? Give your career a positive spin with this role because our technology revolves around you. With your qualities, you will be highly appreciated as our new Mould Construction Worker. Together, we will make technically innovative plastic products.

Vacancy Post-processing employee

Vacancy Oven Operator

Vacancy Mould Construction Worker

Do you make robots work in no time at all? Do you enjoy an efficient production process? How cool would it be to use your talent to realise sustainable innovations? Check out this vacancy and discover how our technology is all about you.