Markus Köttstorfer, MBA, has led starlim’s sales in the EMEA region since 2018 and drives the further development of our global customer and market strategies. With his many years of experience in technical B2B environments, he combines a deep understanding of our products with a clear eye for market requirements and sustainable partnerships.

Product development requires quick decisions amid high uncertainty – and traditional production paths reach their limits in such situations: Small-batch production means compromises, while scaling often leads to disruptions. starlim demonstrates how an expanded tooling ecosystem opens up new possibilities: Through internal standardization, production-quality results are available early on – regardless of the quantity. As soon as C-samples are needed, near-production tooling paths are created that start small and scale seamlessly. The result: greater flexibility, lower risk, and consistent quality – backed by a lifetime tool warranty.

Ing. Karl Großalber is VP of Marketing & Sales at starlim. After holding sales positions at EBG and ENGEL, he joined the company in 1996. He brings decades of practical experience to the business, understanding the demands of industrial mass production as well as customer wishes and needs. At the same time, he supports the company’s ongoing development—with a focus on greater customer focus, flexibility, and reliability.

Simulation opens up new possibilities for specifically designing quality and performance early in the product development process—especially for nonlinear materials such as silicone. By using modern simulation methods, such as finite element analysis and material-model-based calculations of nonlinear elastomeric properties, the deformation and aging behavior of silicone components can be predicted with a high degree of precision. This allows critical loads, sealing performance, and service life to be optimized as early as the initial development phases. This reduces development times, minimizes the need for physical prototypes, and enables high-quality, robust, and high-performance products right from the start.

Dipl.-Ing. Leopold Pühringer is responsible for international research and development at starlim and brings over two decades of experience in automation, product development, and polymer technology to the company. Since 2006, he has been shaping the development of sophisticated LSR components for the mobility and life sciences sectors, combining materials science, simulation, and manufacturing-oriented design into practical solutions.

New approaches to the cross-linking of LSR reduce energy consumption and improve sustainability in production. Initial results from real-world applications demonstrate the potential for more efficient processes and new applications.

Dr. Johannes A. M. Hepperle has been with Momentive since 2013, where he has held various technical and sales roles, most recently as an Elastomers Account Manager with a focus on customer development. Since December 2025, he has been working as an Account & Business Development Manager in the automotive sector, driving new product development. He earned his Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from the University of Münster.

Florian Raschke, MSc, studied plastics engineering and has 19 years of experience in plastic injection molding. After holding various positions at plastics processors and in the plastics machinery industry, he has been with starlim for nearly twelve years. Since 2018, he has headed the Process Engineering department, focusing on process development, data analytics, and concept engineering.

Virtual production evaluation in silicone injection molding makes it possible to gain a realistic understanding of complex material properties and processes - even before the first mold is built - and to optimize them in a targeted manner. Simulation provides early insight into filling behavior, cross-linking, warpage, and the interactions between the machine and the mold - minimizing risks, maximizing quality, and ensuring efficient use of resources.

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Leopold Pühringer is responsible for international research and development at starlim and brings over two decades of experience in automation, product development, and polymer technology to the company. Since 2006, he has been shaping the development of sophisticated LSR components for the mobility and life sciences sectors, combining materials science, simulation, and manufacturing-oriented design into practical solutions.

Crisis and opportunity—two sides of the same coin. And yet we’d rather do without them, because crises are always unpleasant, painful, or costly. But what if we actively capitalized on crises instead of waiting until afterward to see if there was anything good hidden in them? Teresa Adler will deliver an inspiring keynote speech at starlim tech.day.

Fascinating insights into the mobility ecosystem and the factors driving the success of connected, innovative technologies. For over 35 years, Thomas Stottan, B.Eng., has been deeply involved in the field of operational safety in complex systems. Stottan is regarded as an expert in the automotive industry. He takes a holistic approach to the concept of “mobility” and also highlights the dangers of digitalization for road users. In this context, communication technology that is simple and intuitive to use will be indispensable, as will valid testing and a generally accepted definition of car usability.

Ing. Thomas Stottan is the founder and CEO of AUDIO MOBIL (since 1989). After completing his training in communications engineering and electronics and specializing in sound and acoustics, he worked as a production manager in the electronics industry. As chair of the “Distraction and Operational Safety in Road Vehicles” committee, he played a key role in the development of ÖNORM V5090. Today, he is regarded as an expert in xFCD and HMI. He is the recipient of numerous business and technology awards. He shares his expertise through lectures and technical articles.

How do you know if a molded elastomer component is fully cured? This session will provide insights into a new test method that measures cross-link density directly on a molded component. We determine the state of cure based on the viscoelastic response of the component to “Micro-Indentation” deformation. This new method allows us to verify that the time and temperature we use in our Injection Molding process has been optimized.

Richard Valeriote is the founder of Poly Nova Technologies. He graduated in 1975 from Toronto Metropolitan University where he studied Chemical Engineering. He has extensive experience in the formulating and processing of Elastomers. He holds US and International Patents for Elastomer Compounds used in electrical and high temperature applications. He was recognized by “Rubber and Plastics News” in 2017 as the North American Executive of the Year for his leadership skills and technical expertise.

Look forward to an additional expert presentation with exciting insights, fresh ideas, and practical experience. Details about the topic and the speakers will follow shortly.

Depending on your preference, you have the following options:

• Take part in a company tour at the Marchtrenk headquarter (transportation provided)
• Take part in a guided tour of the Angerlehner Museum
• Get freshened up at the hotel

If you’d like to take part in a company tour or a museum tour, please let us know in advance when you register!