Extrusion International USA 6-2019

49 Extrusion International 6/2019 Sustainable Stretching: PET Film improves the Energy and Ecological Balance Food packaging, medical blisters and so- lar panels: films are used reasonably all over the world. But they are increasingly being criticized as source of environmen- tally threatening plastic waste. Lindauer DORNIER GmbH demonstrated how in- novative system technology can signifi- cantly improve the energy and ecological balance of filmat the K exhibition in Düs- seldorf. The machine manufacturer pre- sented new concepts for energy-efficient and sustainable filmproduction. When the environmental impact of PET film is discussed, the focus is usually on recyclability and the level of recycling rates. However, there are other impor- tant factors that influence the ecological balance of the material – for example its thickness in combination with its bar- rier characteristics. Because the lower the film thickness and the associated weight savings, the more economical its use is with a less environmental and infrastruc- tural impact. A principle the engineers at DORNIER have fully applied: “PET film produced on DORNIER lines has the low- est basis weight on the market,” says Bernhard Wandinger, Head of Product Line Specialty Machines at the innovative family company from Lake Constance. DORNIER also demonstrated in Düs- seldorf how smart recycling of produc- tion waste works. “Film stretching lines from DORNIER recycle production waste completely inline,” says Wandinger. For example, the separated film edge is fed back into the extrusion process, allowing the edge trim to be reused in continuous production without regranulation. Since the recycled material does not have to be melted again without intermediate regranulation, the viscosity of the ma- terial remains at high level. According to Wandinger, the energy required for waste processing and recycling should be further minimized in the future. The newly developed DORNIER Diamond Flake Silo, which in combination with a film stretching line or as part of a film recycling system offers the ideal solution for any flake storage, also sets new stan- dards in terms of efficiency. “The tech- nology, developed according to the lat- est principles and criteria, helps to avoid bridge building and ensures optimum flake discharge,” states Wandinger. An improved and patented air flow of the transverse stretching machine (TDO) with a new penthouse design was also presented at the K. This reduces thermal energy consumption in film production by up to 35 percent. Because the long- life TDO chains with the patented clip system can be overhauled many times in the course of their production lifetime, DORNIER lines can be used efficiently for decades. This way, lines that are up to 50 years old canalsobeadapted to the latest require-ments in terms of productivity, economy and environmental protection by means of conversions. “Sustainabil- ity is a long-term corporate strategy at DORNIER,” emphasizes Wandinger, Product Line Manager. Upgrades of the control system and drive technology also ensure that the lines “Made inGermany” have a very long lifetime and energy ef- ficiency, thus reducing the CO 2 emissions. Even the width of the line is of central importance for energy-saving and sus- tainable stretching: The recently started world’s widest PET film stretching line fromLindauerDORNIERnot only exceeds the company’s own recordwidth; with its 10.6 meters, the line shines with produc- tion speeds up to 550 meters of film per minute and a production quantity up to seven tons per hour. This significantly re- duces specific energy consumption. The first PET line of this dimension went into operation in South Asia in the middle of this year. According to Wandinger, fur- ther lines of this width will be commis- sioned in the next fewmonths. The fact that DORNIER innovations also have a considerable influence on the success of the energy turnover is shown by the well-proven MD-Relax system for the transverse stretching process, which is based on a variable clip. With this sys- tem, the film shrinkage, especially the MD shrinkage, can be perfectly adjusted. Film fromDORNIER lines is therefore per- fectly suited for films which are exposed to high heat immissions, for example as battery separator film in electric cars or film in photo-voltaic elements. The rea- son: The very good dimensional stability of the filmeven at high process tempera- tures in the longitudinal and transverse directions eliminates the need for time- consuming offline post-treatment. The Composite Systems product line also presented new developments for rov- ing and 3D weaving machines, as well as tape production systems and tape weav- ing machines in Düsseldorf. As a system partner, DORNIER supports component, fiber and polymer manufacturers in the production of semi-finished textile prod- ucts made of glass, carbon, aramid and basalt. The new customer platformmyDoX ® will also played a role at the K. The portal is based on the very latest database tech- nology and will add digital order man- agement to DORNIER’s highly regarded personalized technical, installation and maintenance service. It will provide an online shop with permanent availability for original parts (DoXPOS – Parts Order System) for all product lines. Lindauer DORNIER GmbH www.lindauerdornier.com Save up to 35 percent on thermal energy: With the improved airflow in DORNIER TDOs, energy efficiency can be significantly increased (Source: DORNIER)