Company history

Heinrich Koch, the founder of Sikoplast, was already a tinkerer and inventor at a young age. As a teenager, he completed an apprenticeship as a lathe operator at the company Mletzko & Walterscheid in Siegburg and thus acquired a sound knowledge of mechanical engineering.

Shortly after his apprenticeship, he set up his own business and, after buying a lathe in his parents' house, began to manufacture machine stands and basic frames for drilling machines and lathes. With a lot of ambition and diligence, he built up his business and expanded his product range to include plastic products.

In 1952, his company "Sieg-Kunststoffe" participated for the first time in the plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf, where he presented his innovative products. Heinrich Koch kept coming up with new ideas and received numerous patents for his inventions in the plastics processing industry.

He joined forces with Battenfeld, but the cooperation did not last long. So Heinrich Koch left again and laid the foundation for today's Sikoplast company in 1956.

When at the beginning of the seventies the oil crisis temporarily caused the raw material price of plastics to rise sharply, a new market for recycling plants also emerged.

Heinrich Koch saw this as the future for his company and from this time on developed plants and systems for the recycling of plastics. This development was consequently continued, even when other companies stopped it again. One building block of this success is the conical single-screw extruder. This often copied screw system is still today in modified form the heart of the SIKOPLAST recycling plants.

Heinrich Koch

 

In 1986, the foundation stone of today's SIKOPLAST Recycling Technology was laid. Since then, SIKOPLAST's product range has been continuously expanded and extended. In addition to conventional recycling plants for the processing of production waste, today's product range includes washing plants and systems for the processing of post-consumer waste, as well as silos, conveyor belts, granulators and granulation systems.

Today's SIKOPLAST Recycling Technology laid the start of its new direction in 2021 with the move to the new sales and service office in Troisdorf.

70 Years SIKOPLAST – Our History
Recycling Specialists Since 1956
70
Years SIKOPLAST
From a lathe in the family home to globally sought-after recycling machinery. The story of Heinrich Koch and SIKOPLAST.
1952
1956
1970
1980
1986
1989
2000
2010
2020
2021
2026
1952

1952

The Beginning – Heinrich Koch and the Birth of an Idea
The Early Years

Heinrich Koch – Tinkerer, Turner, Entrepreneur

Heinrich Koch was already a tinkerer and inventor from a young age. As a teenager, he completed an apprenticeship as a lathe operator at the company Mletzko & Walterscheid in Siegburg, gaining solid expertise in mechanical engineering. Shortly after his training, he became self-employed: starting with a lathe in the family home, he began manufacturing machine stands and base frames for drilling machines and lathes – the first step of a remarkable entrepreneurial story.
Heinrich Koch – Founder of SIKOPLAST
1952

"Sieg-Kunststoffe" – First Trade Fair Appearance in Düsseldorf

In 1952, Heinrich Koch's company "Sieg-Kunststoffe" participates for the first time in the plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf, presenting its innovative products. With ambition, dedication, and numerous patents for his inventions in the plastics processing industry, he continuously builds his reputation as a pioneer.
Plastics Trade Fair Düsseldorf 1952

1956

Foundation – "SIKOPLAST Maschinenbau Heinrich Koch GmbH"
1956

Foundation of "SIKOPLAST Maschinenbau Heinrich Koch GmbH"

He joined forces with Battenfeld, but the collaboration did not last long. Heinrich Koch withdrew and in 1956 laid the foundation for today's company SIKOPLAST – founded under the name "SIKOPLAST Maschinenbau Heinrich Koch GmbH". A clean break, a new beginning – and the start of seven decades of success.
SIKOPLAST Maschinenbau Heinrich Koch GmbH 1956
1956

Invention of the Conical Single-Screw Extruder

As early as 1956, Heinrich Koch develops the conical single-screw extruder – a pioneering achievement that to this day forms the heart of SIKOPLAST recycling systems. This often-copied but never surpassed screw system represents the innovative spirit that has defined SIKOPLAST from the very beginning.
Conical Single-Screw Extruder

1970

The Oil Crisis as a Turning Point – SIKOPLAST Commits to Recycling
Early 1970s

The Oil Crisis Creates a New Market

When the oil crisis in the early 1970s caused plastics raw material prices to rise sharply, a new market for recycling systems emerged. Heinrich Koch saw this as the future for his company and consistently committed to this path – even as other companies abandoned it.
Oil Crisis 1970s – New Market for Recycling

1980

Pioneer Achievements – Cascade Extrusion & Briquetting
1980

Pioneer in Cascade Extrusion & Film-to-Film Systems

SIKOPLAST is among the first companies worldwide to develop and deploy cascade extrusion and film-to-film systems. In addition, briquetting systems for DSD household waste are developed – groundbreaking technologies that establish SIKOPLAST as an innovation leader in the recycling industry.
Cascade Extrusion SIKOPLAST 1980

1986

Realignment – Polyrec & SIKOPLAST Recycling Technology
1986

Foundation of Polyrec-Kunststoffrecycling Verwaltungs-GmbH

In 1986, Heinrich Koch founds the sister company Polyrec-Kunststoffrecycling Verwaltungs-GmbH – the predecessor of today's SIKOPLAST Recycling Technology GmbH. The product range has been continuously expanded ever since: in addition to conventional recycling systems for production waste, washing systems, post-consumer systems, silos, conveyor belts, granulating mills and granulating systems have been added.
Foundation Polyrec-Kunststoffrecycling Verwaltungs-GmbH 1986

1989

The SIKOREX System Launches Worldwide
1989

Launch of the Worldwide SIKOREX System

In 1989, SIKOPLAST launches the worldwide SIKOREX System – an edge trim extruder integrated directly into the production process of nonwoven and film manufacturers. A revolution in inline recycling. Today, more than 400 SIKOREX systems are in operation worldwide.
SIKOREX System worldwide 1989

2000

Growth – Production Facility and International Portfolio
2000

Production Facility in Hungary

A modern manufacturing site is established in Hungary. SIKOPLAST combines German engineering with efficient European production. Capacities grow – quality remains at the highest level.
SIKOPLAST Production Facility Hungary
2000

Our Team – the Engine Behind the Machines

Our employees play a key role in the development and manufacture of recycling machines. Each one brings unique skills that enable SIKOPLAST to build high-quality machines that meet the needs of customers worldwide.
SIKOPLAST Team Hungary
2002

First In-House UWG – Space-Saving & Mobile

In 2002, SIKOPLAST develops and builds its first in-house underwater pelletizer (UWG) in a proven, space-saving and mobile system. A consistent advancement of the product portfolio, setting new standards in pelletizing technology.
Underwater Pelletizer UWG SIKOPLAST 2002

2010

Worldwide Presence at the Most Important Trade Fairs
2010

International Growth

SIKOPLAST machines operate in more than 80 countries. The company is present at the world's most important trade fairs – K, Fakuma, PRSE – and consolidates its reputation as a reliable partner for demanding recycling processes.
International Growth SIKOPLAST 80 Länder

2020

Acquisition – SIKOPLAST Begins a New Chapter
2020

Acquisition by New Shareholders

In 2020, three new shareholders take over the company and continue its success story: Stylianos W. Nikolaou, long-standing employee and new Managing Director; Karl-Heinz Gehrke, long-standing employee and former shareholder who returns after a break; sowie Dieter Gehrke, entrepreneur with experience in various industries – including the plastics industry.
Acquisition by New Shareholders 2020

2021

New Location, New Direction – SIKOPLAST Today
2021

Move to the New Sales and Service Office in Troisdorf

The current SIKOPLAST Recycling Technology began its new direction in 2021 with the move to the new sales and service office in Troisdorf. A step forward – more modern, closer to the customer, ready for the next decades.
Sales and Service Office Troisdorf 2021

2026

70 Years SIKOPLAST – Anniversary and Looking Ahead
2026

70 Years SIKOPLAST

Seven decades of passion for recycling technology. From a lathe in the family home to high-performance systems deployed worldwide. To this day we still encounter SIKOPLAST machines at our customers' sites with more than 55 years of continuous production performance – a testament to the quality that Heinrich Koch once established. The team is proud to contribute to environmental conservation – and will continue to invest in development, training and innovation.
70 Years SIKOPLAST 2026

 

Together into the Next Years

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