PETpla.net Insider 08 / 2017

65 TRADE SHOW REVIEW PET planet Insider Vol. 18 No. 08/17 www.petpla.net TRADE SHOW review The PET effect in China Chinaplas is very much a “home fixture” for PETplanet. Over the past few years, our magazine has increasingly explored the Chinese engineering industry, and this is reflected not least in a multitude of highly interesting contacts and, subsequently, article releases. This is why we were again present on the spot both as visitor and also with our own booth. In addition to meet- ings with our local regular customers, Chinaplas is always a guaranteed showcase for new developments in the packaging industry with continuous growth for the PET machine and equip- ment market. And although the trade fair is an annual event, there is never any shortage of real innovations and surprises. Chinaplas is an excellent example of intercultural feasibility. That China’s economy competes against the West is a well- worn cliché, but the approach is always amazing. In mechanical engineering, the days of mere imitation are long since a thing of the past. On the contrary, technically highly skilled engineers, both local and recruited from abroad, are building on the future of Chinese products outside China. Thus, for example, com- pletely new coop- eration between local machine-builders and European com- ponent or equipment manufacturers is emerging. Almost everywhere is the response of Chinese mould makers to European equipment offering cheaper alternatives and of comparable quality. The market has developed a strong awareness of the use of high-quality components and materials especially in the field of high-cavity injection moulding or in the blow-moulding segment, both in machine-building and in mould making. Summarising the past few years, I can confirm that the Chinese machinery market has reached a level which is technologically competitive with the West, which in the medium term will inevitably give many established companies from America or Europe pause for thought. In particular, conserva- tive business models may well have to brace themselves for a flexible and fresh crosswind (if not a storm) from the Far East. I have put together here for you some impressions of the local and international exhibitors I spoke to during the exhibition. Regards Kay Barton Separation of soiled rPET without caustic solution PET bottle recycling systems producer Boretech, from Pinghu, near Shanghai, demonstrated its new Purifines system at this year’s Chinaplas event. Boretech has approximately 20 years of experience in the washing of PET flakes and has been manufacturing recycling equipment for over ten years. Division DM Alan Ou says that the Purefines machine is designed to cleanse sand and dirt from soiled rPET components, and to remove and separate labels and their remnants by a combina- tion of centrifugal force and water. The Result is clean rPET. “During PET recycling, companies experience a waste level of 2%, on average, in the washing process, which is something that they are unable to avoid. This is where our system steps in,” explains Mr Ou. “The purely mechanical separation and elimination of chemical usage puts a variety of environmental factors centre stage during operation.” The machine, which has a footprint of approximately 12m², features simple one-button operation and can, if necessary, be run around the clock. It can process up to 500kg/hr, uses approximately 11kW of energy and consumes 0.5-1m³ of water per tonne. www.bo-re-tech.com Alan Ou (right) meeting up with Kay Barton (PETplanet)