Extrusion International USA 5-2022

88 Extrusion International 5/2022 FILM EXTRUSION Turnkey Extrusion Line for Encapsulation Film for PV Modules High Quality FilmRequested for Encapsulation Purpose BREYER’s extrusion system “CellProtect” allows the production of low shrinkage EVA and POE encapsulation film at high production speed – Another benefit – no energy consuming annealing and no interlayer filmmakes the production economic and energy saving. P hotovoltaic (PV) systems are used to convert sunlight into electricity. Energy will continue to be a catalyst for global economic growth and prosperity and the power of the sun is at the heart of the revolution in renewable en- ergy. The global PV market is forecast with a considerable growth in the next few years. In the same way the demand of encapsulant material is growing. But there is a physical limitation in terms of pro- duction speed. Encapsulation film produced on regular ex - trusion lines has naturally a shrinkage which effects not only the process of laminating but can result in destroyed wafers and therefore creating waste and thus increased produc- tion costs. Especially if such regular lines are speed up in order to serve the high market request, the shrinkage becomes very high. The result is that PV-module producers are faced with a higher scrap rate of modules. Since the regular extrusion systems, using calenders or cast rolls, are limited to a certain speed/output, Breyer is supplying a profitable system for the production of EVA and POE film and other gluey mate - rials – The CellProtect line. A high quality and low-shrinkage film allows a smooth and fast laminating process. The more shrinkage a film has the more carefully the warm up procedure must be con- trolled and could increase the laminating time. With the developed extrusion process of Breyer CellPro - tect the first time it is possible to extrude EVA film as well as POE at high speed by keeping the shrinkage low. The process avoids tension in the film right from the start. Post annealing systems are therefore not required. In this way the line consumes also less energy. Encapsulant film producers are faced to a higher prof - itability by using the new technology since the output is much higher. For the module manufacturers using such low tension film it means that they can run their laminators more stable and as fast as possible. They will have the advantage of trouble free production combined with a more reliable and efficient manufacturing. Notable module manufacturers are therefore very much in- terested in getting low shrinkage film. Cause of the improved properties and performance this EVA film is about to set a complete new standard in the encapsulation film and its procedure during laminating. Be - side of EVA resin also other encapsulant such as POE can be processed. Benefits of POE are a 10 to 20 lower water vapor transmition rate (WVTR) as well as non-yellowing and increased UV and weather resistance. Furthermore, due to the special designed surface of the film, no PE interlayer is necessary anymore. The rolls can be winded without PE film in between. Also carrying paper which is sometimes used for the manufacturing of EVA film becomes unnecessary. Regrind material coming from the edge stripes can be processed again. This saves not only costs but also valuable resources. Finally the process can also be count as “green film pro - duction line”, since its process saves the interlayer, the car - rying paper, has no energy consuming annealing system, a closed loop for the cooling circuit, and works with a low temperature extrusion process. Several different recipes, like for example fast and ultra - fast cure, were successfully tested by the TÜV Rheinland Germany and will be part for the Breyer Turnkey supply. A considerable number of systems were sold and installed wordwide. Breyer GmbH Maschinenfabrik Bohlinger Str. 27, 78224 Singen, Germany K 2022: Hall 16, Stand D38