Material and machine expertise combine to bring new possibilities to Polypropylene thermoforming

16-Jan-15

Material and machine expertise have been combined to bring new possibilities to Polypropylene thermoforming market by Sibur and WM Wrapping Machinery in Russia. Newly developed Sibur grade PP H032TF was used to demonstrate the advantages of high speed thermoforming process. Combination of the state-of-the-art manufacturing process and additive formulation provides better process stability, thickness uniformity, higher crystallization temperature and improved mechanical properties of the final PP articles. In-line extrusion and thermoforming line INTEC FT500 manufactured by WM Wrapping Machinery SA – Switzerland, provides the best options for process optimization to maximize the efficiency of PP thermoforming. As demonstrated on PP yogurt cups, where manufacturing process is very sensitive to line speed, combination of innovative PP grade and high-productivity thermoforming line brings advantages of important material saving (up to 25% thickness reduction) and productivity increase (up to 15% cycle time reduction). High transparency and gloss of the final articles is an additional competitive advantage of the material, which is achieved by unique material properties including innovative additive formulation and by proper thermoforming line adjustment. The INTEC FT500 in-line thermoforming plant includes the 90mm Diameter mono extruder with flat die head and a 3 rolls vertical laminating calendar installed in-line with a thermoforming machine with lower tilting platen. A fully automatic stacker with rotating head takes the products from the mould cavities and stacks them in counted piles providing the transferring and discharge on a conveyor belt.