PETpla.net Insider 12 / 2020

PREFORM PRODUCTION PETplanet Insider Vol. 21 No. 12/20 www.petpla.net 13 Response to new challenges in preform manufacturing Performance, flexibility, sustainability based on an article by Moraldo Masi, PET BU Director, Sacmi Closures, Preforms & Containers Division When the first complete Sacmi PET preform production platform with injection technology (IPS -injection preform moulding) was introduced in 2012, it had two goals: to complete the Group’s vocation as a plant engineering provider for every stage of the cap and beverage line and to respond to the burgeoning demand that reflected - especially among bottlers - the need for a solution offering reliability, low consumption and user-friendliness. This range subsequently evolved and expanded to meet the need for versatility and performance, especially among converters. As with packaging in general, the preform production sector continues to seek an appropriate response to the dual needs of productivity and flexibility. Additionally, the global market is pushing hard to make the industry sustainable, setting out the packaging industry recycling mile- stones that will need to be reached over the next decade. A particularly topical challenge, especially in Europe (in light of new standards on reducing virgin plastic use in packaging), is sustainabil- ity which has long been a focus of Sacmi’s efforts. Those efforts have, firstly, seen the development of a range of standard machines that can operate with recycled resins. They have also seen a focus on light- weighting (overall weight reduction of the cap-preform system, performance remaining equal). On this latter front, covering the entire production chain, Sacmi sees itself to be perfectly placed to guide innovation at global level. In light of the above, the com- pany is investing heavily in develop- ing machines and moulds that meet customer needs. The Sacmi IPS for the manufacture of PET preforms has been designed and produced in keep- ing with the following concepts:  Performance, not just as regards cycle time/productivity but also in terms of line availability, reliability and energy consumption: the pil- lars of a modern TCO (total cost of ownership) approach.  Flexibility, in terms of quick and easy mould changeovers, plus the ability to operate with legacy and existing moulds. The main play- ers on this market require such features from systems suppliers because moulds are expensive and often last longer than the machine on which they’re assembled.  Sustainability, in terms of both weight reduction (packaging performance remaining equal) and the ability to use rPET. This last aspect is gaining in importance almost daily, as ever- stricter national and international standards are implemented to safe- guard the environment. Equipped to respond to new, pressing market needs, the Sacmi injection press range can, in the standard configuration, process up to 100% of rPET in granules and up to 50% in flakes. Moreover, expectations are high on the lightweighting front as the Italian company is also a developer of new technical and cap-preform design standards and experienced at getting them to market. For example, 2020 saw the company invest in the development of the new 26mm neck standard – lighter than the earlier 28mm but equally high-performance – and carry forward the standardisation process with the main international certifying bodies. www.sacmi.com PREFORMS