British packaging manufacturer won over by barrier technology from Reifenhäuser CSC

The mechatronic polishing stack MIREX MT from Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating for barrier film applications (photo: RPC Bebo Plastik)

Reifenhäuser is a successful global specialist operating in the plastics processing industry with a range of technologies for manufacturing packaging solutions. The Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating (CSC) business unit boasts outstanding process technology for plastics processing, which packaging manufacturers use to produce films with a reliable barrier effect. Packaging manufacturer RPC Bebo Plastik also relies on Reifenhäuser CSC's line concepts and process expertise, with the company's German site in Bremervörde putting into operation a multi-layer extrusion line for the production of barrier films earlier this year. RPC Bebo Plastik uses its new production line to manufacture packaging items with aroma protection, such as coffee capsules, which act as an excellent barrier, protecting the packaging contents from oxygen, light, and humidity thanks to precise multi-layer technology.

The line concept sets new standards with regard to reproducibility thanks to MT: the patented mechatronic polishing stacks technology, and the user-friendliness and efficiency of the production process. All line settings are saved using an extensive recipe management system, meaning that time-consuming reconfigurations due to frequent product or colour changes are a thing of the past. "As well as the great tolerances and fast colour changes, reproducible composite films were pivotal to our decision," commented Niklas Rad, project head at RPC Bebo Plastik. "The opportunity to test composite films on a 9-layer barrier line in the Reifenhäuser technology centre assured us that we were using the right technology."

Significantly less energy and raw material consumption

Reducing raw material costs by saving on raw materials is of prime importance to film manufacturers. Reifenhäuser CSC meets this requirement with the REIcofeed 2.2 coextrusion feedblock. An internal encapsulation device replaces barrier raw materials and tie resin at the edges with inexpensive ground stock without an additional extruder being required - which saves space. This is an advantage as regards efficiency, as film manufacturers consume less energy and raw materials.

Lars Bergheim, regional sales manager at Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating, had this to say about the benefits: "The further development of Reifenhäuser's tried and tested technology allows the barrier and tie resin layers to be optimally distributed across the width, while the entire composite film has very good individual thickness tolerances. This results in a high degree of raw material efficiency."

About the Reifenhäuser Group

Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating is part of the Reifenhäuser Group, the leading provider of innovative technologies and components for plastics extrusion. Founded in 1911, the company creates high-tech solutions used all around the world. Drawing upon its technologies and the expertise of its 1,500 employees, the Reifenhäuser Group enables the production of blown films, cast films, polishing sheets, nonwovens and components of the highest quality. Bernd Reifenhäuser is the Group CEO.

About RPC Bebo PLastik

RPC Bebo Plastik is part of RPC Group plc, a leading international design and engineering company in plastic products in packaging and non-packaging markets. The group operates over 194 production sites in 34 countries and employs more than 25,000 people. RPC Bebo Plastik is one of the group's 32 design and engineering centres, where technological advancements in selected target markets are being developed and produced.