DESMA

What DESMA does

DESMA (legally Klöckner DESMA Elastomertechnik GmbH) is a German manufacturer of injection molding machines for the elastomer industry, founded in 1966 and headquartered in Fridingen an der Donau. The company builds vertical and horizontal injection molding machines (S3, SIGMA, ALPHA, COMPACT series plus the newer SEALMASTER 300+, REFERENCE 300+ and SIGMA F-Series lines), complemented by cold runner systems (CRB), its patented ZeroWaste ITM temperature-controlled injection pots, in-house mold making (including the North American Manufacturing Center in Hebron, Kentucky), and turnkey automation cells. Proprietary technology components include FIFO injection units, DRC 1020/2020/2030 TBM control systems, ServoGear hydraulics and the SmartConnect 4.U. Industry 4.0 platform.

The company sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales supported by project engineering teams and a global network of wholly-owned production, sales and service subsidiaries in Germany, Slovakia (Považská Bystrica), the USA (Hebron, KY), India (Ahmedabad) and China (Wuxi), plus local service points in additional countries. Revenue is generated from hardware sales of machines, molds and cold runner systems, automation solutions, and a services stream spanning SmartService (remote diagnostics, spare parts), conversions/retrofits, DESMACADEMY training and webinars; pricing is project-based and not publicly disclosed. The installed base serves elastomer manufacturers across automotive/rubber-to-metal bonding, energy distribution and renewable energy, infrastructure (including EV charging), medical technology, and household appliance sectors.

DESMA has been part of the Technology Division of Salzgitter AG, a publicly listed German steel and technology group, since 2007, and operates with reportedly high decision-making autonomy under that ownership. The business is described in its own materials as the world's leading manufacturer of injection molding machines for the elastomer industry, with 500+ employees worldwide and ongoing investment in product line renewal (2025 K-fair launches), portfolio expansion via the June 2023 acquisition of Berger Bürstmaschinenbau, and coordinated global procurement across its four-country manufacturing footprint.

Name

DESMA

Legal name

Klöckner DESMA Elastomertechnik GmbH

Website

https://desma.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

DESMA manufactures injection molding machines, molds, cold runner systems and turnkey automation for elastomer (rubber and silicone) producers, serving automotive, energy, infrastructure and medical customers worldwide through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Germany, Slovakia, the USA, India and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Injection Molding Machinery

NAICS

Industrial Mold Manufacturing (333511)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermoforming Tooling, Mold & Die Manufacturing (IMANAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Custom Injection Molding & Contract Manufacturing (Job Shops/CMs) (IMANAFAJ)

Keywords

• Injection molding machines
• Elastomer processing equipment
• Rubber molding machinery
• Silicone injection systems
• Industrial manufacturing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Fridingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Injection Molding Machines: Sale of vertical and horizontal injection molding machines for elastomer processing including S3, Alpha, Sigma, Compact, and Benchmark series with clamping forces from 250 kN to 6,300 kN.
2. Molds and Cold Runner Systems: Design, engineering and manufacturing of molds and cold runner systems for elastomer injection molding, including CRB systems and ITM technology.
3. Automation Systems: Custom automation solutions including robot applications for new plants and retrofits, complete turnkey production lines.
4. Services and Support: SmartService including global service structure, remote diagnostics, training (DESMACADAMY), webinars, conversions and retrofits, spare parts supply.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DESMA manufactures horizontal and vertical injection molding machines engineered for processing elastomers, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and silicone compounds. The company supplies complete production systems incorporating automation and mold transfer technology to industrial manufacturers producing molded rubber and silicone components.

Product overview

DESMA is the world's leading manufacturer of injection molding machines for the elastomer industry, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services organized as an integrated production ecosystem. The core offering includes vertical and horizontal injection molding machines (S3/SIGMA/ALPHA/COMPACT series, REFERENCE, SEALMASTER) complemented by cold runner systems (CRB, FlowControl, ITM, ZeroWaste ITM), mold making services, and automation solutions. The product line is supported by digital products including SmartConnect 4.U., SmartService with remote diagnostics (Remos, Smart Wall, Smart Connect), and training services through DESMACADEMY. Key technology components include FIFO injection technology, DRC control systems, and ServoGear hydraulics. DESMA provides complete turnkey production solutions from single-source project engineering through to process optimization and plant modernization services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Horizontal Injection Molding Machines Horizontal-axis injection molding machines engineered for processing rubber and silicone elastomers into molded parts, supplied to industrial manufacturers across automotive, medical, and consumer goods sectors.
• Vertical Injection Molding Machines Vertical-axis injection molding machines for insert molding and complex elastomer component manufacturing, serving producers of parts with metal or plastic inserts.
• Mold Transfer and Automation Systems Integrated mold transfer, part handling, and production automation systems for elastomer molding lines, supporting throughput and labor efficiency in molding cells.
• Service, Spare Parts and Training After-sales service, maintenance, spare parts supply, and operator training programs supporting installed DESMA injection molding equipment.

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• PrimatecnicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian partner for Innovation Days events. DESMA showcased the SEALMASTER300+ horizontal injection molding machine at Primatecnica's facility in Italy.
• Berger Bürstmaschinenbau GmbH & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDESMA Elastomertechnik took over the business activities of Berger Bürstmaschinenbau in June 2023, expanding its product and service portfolio.
• KYFAME (Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDESMA USA sponsors a student in the KYFAME program, helping continue their college education while providing hands-on experience through a part-time job. The student shadows technicians and assembly employees to learn about hydraulics, electrical circuitry and injection molding.
• YUVA (Non-profit Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDESMA India has a close relationship with YUVA non-profit organization. Together they have sustainably improved conditions at the Kathwada School as part of social responsibility initiatives.
• VDMA (Mechanical and Plant Engineering)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of VDMA which ensures exchange of knowledge within the industry and provides forum for standardization of new applications.
• DKG (Deutsche Kautschukgesellschaft)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of DKG for exchange of knowledge within the rubber industry and standardization activities.
• University Stuttgart - Institut für Kunststofftechnik (IKT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research and knowledge exchange in plastics technology.
• Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie (DIK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with German Institute for Rubber Technology for research collaboration.
• KGK RubberpointminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPress partner for international industry communication and information dissemination.
• GAK - Gummi Fasern Kunststoffe (Gupta Verlag)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade press partner for rubber, fibers and plastics industry coverage.
• Isgatec - Dichten. Kleben. PolymerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPress partner for sealing, bonding and polymer industry information.
• RFP - Rubber Fibres Plastic InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational trade press partner for rubber, fibers and plastics.
• L'Industria della GommaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian trade press partner for rubber industry.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• KraussMaffei: KraussMaffei is a large German manufacturer of injection molding machinery, including rubber injection molding machines, as part of a broader machinery portfolio — a broad incumbent serving similar elastomer and broader plastics customers.
• Wittmann Battenfeld: Wittmann Battenfeld is a major injection molding OEM (now also the parent of Maplan) with broader thermoplastics focus but rubber injection molding offerings — competing for elastomer accounts through its Maplan subsidiary and adjacent product lines.
• Milacron (Hillenbrand): Milacron, now part of Hillenbrand, is a US-based manufacturer of plastics processing machinery including injection molding equipment and rubber and silicone processing technology — a broad incumbent serving similar end markets through its broader machinery portfolio.
• Arburg: Arburg is a leading German manufacturer of injection molding machines with a broad thermoplastics focus. While primarily thermoplastics, its presence in mid-volume industrial OEMs competes for capex mindshare with DESMA at elastomer processors.
• Engel Austria: Engel is a major global injection molding machine manufacturer with a broader thermoplastics focus but also serves elastomers and rubbers. Its scale and global service footprint make it the dominant incumbent in the wider injection-molding market where DESMA competes for capital allocations.
• Sumitomo (SHI) Demag: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is a Japanese-German joint venture producing injection molding machines for plastics and elastomers. Its global electric and hybrid machine offerings overlap with industrial rubber processing customers that DESMA also serves.

Emerging players

• Haitian International: Haitian International is the world's largest injection molding machine maker by volume, based in China. As an emerging low-cost competitor expanding its elastomer and rubber machine offerings, it represents a long-term price-pressure risk to DESMA in cost-sensitive segments.

Direct peers

• Maplan: Maplan (now part of the Wittmann Group) manufactures rubber and silicone injection molding machines for elastomer processors, directly competing with DESMA in vertical and horizontal rubber injection molding, particularly in mid-clamping-force segments.
• REP International: REP International is a French specialist manufacturer of rubber injection molding machines and presses serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial elastomer applications — directly comparable to DESMA's elastomer injection molding machines.
• LWB Steinl: LWB Steinl is a German manufacturer of rubber injection molding machines focused on elastomer processing, competing head-to-head with DESMA in the German-speaking market for rubber and silicone injection molding equipment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kloecknerdesma

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DESMA