UPM
exhibited infrared drying (IRD) for crystallising and drying a 60 / 40%
blend of PET regrind and virgin with their Italian agent SB Plastics
Machinery on stand C10 in Hall 11 and report actual orders taken during
the exhibition valued at circa Euro £500,000.00 for installations in
Turkey and Mexico for IRD on extrusion lines producing PET sheet for
thermoforming into microwavable food containers.
Each IRD shows a reduction in investment costs of some 50% compared to
conventional equipment based on a separate crystalliser and a separate
dryer as the IRD will crystallise and dry PET in one pass through the
drum at an average time of 12 minutes instead of 4 to 6 hours plus there
is no decrease in IV and a significant saving in power consumption.
In addition UPM claims the IRD offers more positive control of the
drying process as the actual material temperature is measured at
strategic intervals along the length of the drum and the power of the
infrared module is automatically adjusted to create an optimum
condition.
Fowler of UPM says Plast 06 proved an excellent venue to consolidate
their network of European Agents for IRD and UPM have formed a Technical
Partnership with Novatec based in Baltimore USA for the North American
market in preparation for the NPE exhibition in Chicago in June where
they will exhibit the infrared dryer model IRD500 which will then be
installed in a permanent demonstration facility allowing customers to
have trials to prove the benefits claimed.
Plast 06
Preview
SB
Plastics Machinery based in Padova Italy will exhibit an infrared dryer
(IRD) model 500 on their stand number C10 D09 Hall 11 suitable for
crystallising and drying amorphous PET regrind and virgin CPET together
in one pass to achieve better than 50ppm (0.005%) in 12 minutes with a
power consumption of 0.1kW/Kg/Hr.
IRD is manufactured by UPM in the UK who have supplied equipment world
wide for applications in PET sheet extrusion; injection moulding and
blow moulding with throughputs ranging from 50 kilos per hour through to
4000 kilos per hour offering a reduction in investment cost of some 50%
compared to a conventional crystalliser and desiccant dryer.
SB Plastics Machinery report that a major Italian sheet extrusion
company will take delivery of the IRD immediately after the Plast
exhibition for an installation involving material conveying and
gravimetric blending as a complete turn key project.
SB
Plastics Machinery based in Padova Italy will exhibit an infrared dryer
(IRD) model 500 on their stand number C10 D09 Hall 11 suitable for
crystallising and drying amorphous PET regrind and virgin CPET together
in one pass to achieve better than 50ppm (0.005%) in 12 minutes with a
power consumption of 0.1kW/Kg/Hr.