PETpla.net Insider 12 / 2015

PET TOP TALK 26 PET planet insider Vol. 16 No. 12/15 www.petpla.net Tour Sponsors: Talks at Pack Expo 2015, part 2 by Alexander Büchler PET Technologies, Chernigov, Ukraine This Ukraine company was exhibiting in North America for the first time. They envisage major potential with their linear blow moulding machines rang- ing from 3000 to 6000bph. The local competition is very strong in the northern and eastern areas of the country, although there is still sufficient potential in the south east. The Ukrainians have constructed a technical centre in Wisconsin. From here the machines are distributed within the country. The exhibit under construction at PackExpo is in the form of a technology complex. The line has already been adjusted to comply with the provisions of the North American standard. The machine makers have set their target at 10 lines for next year. They not only wish to sell the line to the customer but also offer an all-round service comprising bottle design, prototype manufacture and support with the purchase of preforms. www.pet-eu.com Serac, Carol Stream, IL, USA In addition to the New FC 15/6 900 on display with 15 filler heads and six cap- ping turrets the highlight of the stand was the integrated monobloc Combox FC1 F12C6/720, made up of an SBL blow moulder coupled with the FC filler capper. The Serac Combox is ideal for single serve packaging such as, for example, the 50g yogurt portions in a fruit-shaped PET container as demonstrated. Blown from a PET preform of only 2.3g, with nearly half of the mass concentrated in the neck, the fruit- shaped container requires an expansion rate of 16 (four times in both the length and the width), which is an extreme expansion rate in this industry. Precise trans- fer system, ideal for light and unsteady packages, the 100% positive neck transfer system ensures that the packages will move along through the process without ever touching each other, which is a must to avoid damage to the preforms. The SBL blow moulder can be directly coupled to most of the filler machines due to a star- wheel system that compensates for the difference in pitch between the blowing and filling functions Accurate filling and capping solutions: The slightest deviation under the filling nozzles can have dramatic effects. This is why Serac has included a servo-driven transfer system that ensures state-of-art positioning and filling accuracy. Serac has also designed a capping system that will accommodate oversized aluminum strips together with a new die press tool to achieve a hygienic and user-friendly seal. Currently there are 5 lines running in North America. The trend away from HDPE towards PET heralds further installations on the continent. www.serac-inc.com Steve Cull, Regional Sales Manager F.l.t.r.: Eduardo Martinez, Export Man- ager Mexico; Maria Chigrinova, Export Manager; Vladimir Tsallagov, Director for Export; Alexander Suvorov, Director; Maxim Poliansky, Commercial Director. Gardner Denver, Quincy, IL, USA This company was exhibiting Type 15 from its compressor VH Series. This has a capacity of just less than 1000m³/h oil-free air for stretch blow moulding PET bottles. The VH series features a good power to footprint ratio. www.gardnerdenver.com F.l.t.r.: Tyson Mulvaney, Product Manager; Mike Bakalay, Manager; Tony Marlow, Direct Sales Manager. PACKAGING special