Infrared in Plastics Processing: Potentials and Perspectives

In the 2026 Issue 1 of Joining Plastics magazine, Roland Eckl, Managing Director of Excelitas Noblelight, addresses one of the most practical questions facing plastics manufacturers today: under what conditions can infrared heating technology deliver real energy advantages over conventional heat sources?

In the interview, Eckl makes the case that while electrical infrared emitters require significant power input, they generate heat directly in the material without a transfer medium, without contact, and without wasting energy on heating surrounding air, liquids or gases. When emitter design and wavelength are properly matched to the material and process objective, the efficiency gains can be substantial. One customer cited in the article reduced energy costs in a laminating process by 73% after replacing ceramic infrared units with modern electrical infrared emitters.

Eckl also discusses the role of infrared booster units that are installed upstream of existing ovens to rapidly upgrade older equipment, as well as contour emitters that deliver heat precisely where it is needed in processes such as welding, riveting, hemming and deburring. The interview covers the broad range of plastics processing applications supported by infrared heat, from forming and thermoforming to laminating, coating and joining.

On the product development side, Eckl describes Excelitas’ ongoing focus on optimizing emitter components by improving quartz emitter transmission, refining reflection properties, and selecting raw materials and suppliers with energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in mind.

The article is published in both English and German.
Read the full interview, "Infrared in Plastics Processing: Potentials and Perspectives", in Joining Plastics magazine to learn how our Noblelight infrared technology is helping plastics manufacturers reduce energy consumption and improve process efficiency.