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| PUBLIC RELATIONS
| ARCHIVE 2006 |
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NOVEMBER 2006
W&H’s 9-layer MAXICONE Die
Produces
Barrier Film with 1 Micron EVOH Layer |
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W&H’s 9-layer MAXICONE Die Produces Barrier Film
with 1 Micron EVOH Layer
Achievement translates to huge savings in resin costs for barrier
film processors.
LINCOLN, RI, November 2006 – Customers attending Windmoeller & Hoelscher’s
Open House had
the opportunity to witness firsthand the production
of 9-layer barrier film on W&H’s VAREX blown
film line in the company’s Extrusion lab. The VAREX line
featured a 20” (500 mm) 9-layer MAXICONE
die
and ran an output of 1468 lbs/hr (665 kg/hr). However, what captured
the greatest attention was the
line’s ability to consistently
run an EVOH layer of just 1 micron for the duration of the 8 hour
demonstration on each of the 3 days.
“At 1 micron the EVOH layer is so light that if you separate
it from the rest of the film, it will float away,” explains Andrew
Wheeler, W&H Corporation’s Vice President. “The fundamental
difficulty with running
thin layers of barrier materials (EVOH, nylon)
is maintaining layer uniformity. Any break in that layer means loss
of barrier integrity, which is why most processors run a thicker layer.
When your barrier material costs are over $3/lb., the ability to cut
the amount required by 50% or more [down from 2 or 3 microns] results
in huge savings.”At 1 micron the EVOH layer is so light
that if you separate it from the rest of the film, it will float away,” explains
Andrew Wheeler, W&H Corporation’s Vice President. “The
fundamental difficulty with running thin layers of barrier materials
(EVOH, nylon) is maintaining layer uniformity. Any break in that layer
means loss of barrier integrity, which is why most processors run a
thicker layer.
When your barrier material costs are over $3/lb., the
ability to cut the amount required by 50% or more [down from 2 or 3
microns] results in huge savings.”
The 9-layer barrier film produced on the VAREX line had a total
thickness of 30 microns with a width
of 94.5” (2400 mm). The
one micron EVOH layer was sandwiched between two nylon layers (each
1.5 microns), followed by two layers of adhesive, two mLLDPE layers
and one EVA layer and a layer of LDPE. (Please reference the attached
diagram for a visual representation of the 9-layer barrier film.)
W&H’s Open House was held at company headquarters in Lengerich,
Germany from October 10 – 12th, 2006. Over 700 visitors attended
the event to witness demonstrations of the latest technological developments
in both W&H’s Extrusion and Printing divisions.
Windmoeller & Hoelscher is a leader in the design, manufacture
and distribution of flexographic and gravure printing presses, blown
and cast film extrusion systems, multi-wall equipment, plastic sack
and bag making machines, as well as form-fill-seal machinery for the
converting and packaging industry.
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Contact WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER Corporation:
Editorial Contact
Antje Faile
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23 New England Way · Lincoln · R.I.
02865
Tel.: Tel: +1 (401) 333-2770
or 800-854-8702
Fax: 401-333-6491
E-Mail: afaile@whcorp.com |
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