A key component of this line is the "Reitruder" twin-screw extruder that allows processing of PET without the need for pre-crystallization and pre-drying, similar to the production of sheets. This technology offers the customer many technical advantages in addition to a cost-effective PET film production.

The winders optimized for a demanding range of products are based on a well-proven concept. Thanks to a specially designed rotary arm winder, it is possible to wind both sensitive 12μm thin PET film, classical CPP film, and stiff PET film of 150μm thickness in a way that eliminates the need for slitting and rewinding for many applications.

Blister films are one of the many possible applications. This special cast-film technology enables reduction in the thickness of these films from the usual 150μm to 120μm in polishing stack operations. That means that cost advantages can be obtained also in this area.

From a technical point of view there is a clear trend towards coextrusion. While in the past BOPET films were often laminated with barrier films, it is now possible to coextrude these structures in a single operation.

Smaller line sizes, compared to those for BOPET, combined with lower performance give the producer much more flexibility. Small orders for special film thicknesses can be realized as well as recipe modifications for special applications.

Michael Beckhoff, sales manager of Reifenhäuser CSC says, "The many possibilities and variants to produce, for example also CPP film of the same quality and with the same efficiency as obtained on conventional CPP lines, open up completely new perspectives in the optimal utilization of a line. To put it casually: PET with new pep!"

Reifenhäuser Inc.

www.reifenhauser.com