PETpla.net Insider 04/ 2013

PREFORM PRODUCTION 21 PET planet insider Vol. 14 No. 04/13 www.petpla.net Sipa handles worldwide sales, system integration and service for Athena-based preform systems. The 500t XForm preform system in horizontal construction introduced by Sipa is complemented by the Athena- based 300-tonne XForm with up to 96 cavities and the 150-tonne XForm with up to 48 cavities. According to Robert Schad, plans for machines in other sizes are underway. The first deliveries of Athena-based preform systems are expected in the second half of 2013. The preform systems feature:  Hybrid construction  Horizontal 2-platen machine, with electrically operated clamp stroke  Various screw diameters on single and two-stage injection units  Electric extruder screw-drive with two servo-motors. Central energy supply for entire system  Lateral preform unloading and post- mould cooling integrated in machine base  Horizontal preform transfer with up to six cooling positions Recycling line recoSTAR PET iV+ Starlinger Head Office: Sonnenuhrgasse 4, A 1060 Vienna T: +43 1 59955-0, F: -180 recycling@starlinger.com www.recycling.starlinger.com A member of Starlinger Group Visit us at: Chinaplas 2013, Guangzhou, May 20 - 23 Hall 9.2, Booth A41 Recycle, Refine, Reuse: Through upcycling, PET waste becomes a valuable secondary resource, substituting virgin resin at up to 100% According to Enrico Gribaudo, General Manager, Sipa Italy, the partnership represents a further step towards technological market leader- ship in the PET market. In so doing Sipa is not only showing a commit- ment to machine technology but is also driving forward the development of the PET bottle. Gribaudo says: “Through our portfolio and our own in-house expertise, we monitor bottle development from preform manufac- ture right through to the filling stage. This means that we are able to offer a customised solution for any packaging problem.” The next stages of PET bottle weight reduction The next generation of neck fin- ishes and screw closures is under development and will be introduced shortly. Here the focus lies on further weight optimisation of the neck finish. “The potential for savings in the 1881 closure, for example, is some- thing of the order of 40%. This means a further 1.8g reduction in weight. The bottom section offers further potential for weight reduction and we are cur- rently working on this. The relevant technological solutions will be intro- duced shortly“, says Enrico Gribaudo, “and will undoubtedly feature at Drink- tec and the K-Show later in 2013”. www.athenaautomation.com www.sipa.it F.l.t.r.: Enrico Gribaudo, Robert Schad, Waldemar Schmitke. In the background: Athena’s long time test PET preform machine 150t 48 cavities 360°