PETpla.net Insider 12 / 2019

PREFORM PRODUCTION PET planet Insider Vol. 20 No. 12/19 www.petpla.net 19 In the same issue we depicted the M-PET 300 preform line, which Milacron was displaying at NPE. Rich Sieradzki, VP and GM of PET Sys- tems defined the dairy market as the development’s main target, especially in conjunction with Milacron’s multi- layer technology. For issue 9, we paid a visit to the French preform giant SGT. On its 21 preform machines, more than 200 dif- ferent models could be delivered with 19 different neck sizes. At the time, SGT aimed at further investments and at doubling the rPET content in their preforms. In China, we visited machinery and mould manufacturer Guangzhou Huayan Precision Machinery (issue 10). With around 600 of an estimated 1,100-1,200 PET preform injection moulding machines in the market, it held a 55% market share. At the K show, Sipa demonstrated the production of ultralight preforms on its Xtreme injection compression moulding machinery. A 6 g preform for a 500ml container was claimed to be possible. For the production of preforms made from 100% post- consumer PET flakes, Sipa partnered with Erema, resulting in the Xtreme Renew. (Issue 12) 2017 How to act in a very price-sen- sitive market without compromising on quality was explained to us by PT Namasindo Plas in Indonesia (issue 5). To offer the “lowest preform prices in the world”, the company manufac- tured very high quantities of just a few standard preforms in three sizes. Thus, 390ml bottles as well as 535ml bottles are both produced from a 600ml preform. In issue 6, Husky gave an over- view of technological approaches to improve barrier performance. One of them is their multi-layer technol- ogy where a preform is produced in sequential injection or a simul- taneous co-injection process. The barrier layer is then sandwiched between inner and outer layer of the preform (photo below). In the same issue, KHS presented material saving solutions in the neck and thread area – especially important for those who buy their preforms per weight. With the GEN4 hot runner design concept, Sipa manufactured the first 180-cavity preform tool- ing in the world. Fitting on a regular 500 t machine that would normally run with 144-cavities, output could be increased without stressing the machine with fast cycle times. Large-scale preform manufacturer Chemco explained which factors have to be considered to define the perfect preform for customers. Besides light weight, other factors like installed equipment, required barrier qualities, country’s requirements or even geo- graphical aspects have to be consid- ered (photo below). In issue 9 we were introducing the joint venture between Otto Hofstetter and Yudo which enabled them to offer complete preform systems. In an interview with PETplanet, Robert Schad from Athena Automa- tion (now Niigon) explained how they achieved industry-leading cycle times and low energy consumption. The trends he foresaw for the preform sector were diversification, quicker mould and tooling changes and smaller systems. At Drinktec, Husky presented its multi-layer technology for the first time live on a trade show. On the HPP5, a 17g CSD application was produced at 8.7s with a 72-cavity mould. Issue 10 saw the direct processing of washed PET flakes into food con- tact grade preforms in the PET Inline Preform system. The system com- bined Erema’s Vacurema technology with Sipa’s Xtreme preform production system. 2018 At NPE, Husky paired its multi- layer technology with new recycla- ble barrier materials and highlighted the capability for various application requirements such as barriers for light, oxygen and carbon dioxide. (issue 5) At Chinaplas, Netstal had shown its Prelactia solution, dual-layer preforms for milk bottles. During the first step of the overmoulding process, a 1mm inner grey layer is injected. The dark colour creates the light barrier to protect the dairies. Netstal Prelactia The third generation of its Eco300/2500 injection moulding machine was presented by Demark at Chinaplas, as we reported in issue 7+8. Energy efficiency and closing times had been especially on the radar for improvement, resulting in a confirmation of acceptance by Coca Cola. Nissei ASB presented updated versions of its 1.5 step moulding machineries at CBB (issue 10). The model on stand was the PF36/36- 600, moulding 36 preforms/cycle, producing bottles of up to 600ml capacity (photo next page, top).