MACHINERY | THERMOFORMING


training period and fast recipe optimisation to efficient error handling and a targeted mainte- nance system,” he said.


IMAGE: KIEFEL


Above: Kiefel’s new Speed- former can mass-produce polymer cups and coffee capsules


thermoformed polymer high-end cups. The machine presents a larger forming area and a faster forming time thanks to an improved cooling process. It offers over a 30% higher output of cups and


coffee capsules than its predecessor, depending on production parameters – such as the film material, amount of tool cavities and product characteristics. The new solution also gives cus- tomer the chance to produce taller cups.


Greater output


Kiefel has also launched a new tilting machine, the Speedformer KTR 6.2 Speed, for the mass produc- tion of polymer cups and coffee capsules. The model claims to offer up to 50% higher output – for the same footprint and quality – com- pared to other machines, as well as 10% energy savings due to optimised heating. “This increased output is possible thanks to its


larger forming area, combined with faster forming time due to an improved tooling cooling process,” said Alexander Donabauer, director of sales for polymer packaging at Kiefel. “Additionally, the filling time is drastically reduced owing to the optimised forming air system.” The KTR 6.2 features a more powerful drive


system at the trim-in-place station, offering a punching force of 900 kN. This allows it to punch a wide variety of materials, including thicker films, such as PET – which usually require stronger punching forces. In addition, the technology is enhanced to produce higher cups up to 250 mm. Customers can also achieve higher production speed with two new modules: Speedstacker, for efficient and higher stacking, which handles a greater number of products and wider range of geometries; and Cuppacker, for cup packaging, which can be integrated into the KTR 6.2. “The KTR 6.2 also includes a new intuitive user interface, KMI 2.0, which facilitates thermoforming processes, supporting customers from a short


24 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | September 2024


Renewable packaging US-based Pacur, a custom extruder of sheet for medical applications, has started using Eastar Renew 6763 co-polyester from Eastman to make rigid, thermoformed, sterile barrier packaging – which it says will help divert plastic waste away from landfill. “We are committed to developing next-genera- tion sustainability solutions,” said Jason Eckel, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Pacur. “With our custom sheet and rollstock solutions, leveraging Eastar Renew 6763, we are enabling progress toward a circular economy.” Eastman says that the material, produced using ‘molecular recycling’, is indistinguishable from its Eastar 6763 copolyester – having the same durabil- ity, safety and performance characteristics. Using the material enables Pacur to certify that plastic waste is being diverted from landfills to make new packaging. The amount of plastic waste diverted is tracked through an ISCC-certified mass balance accounting approach that allocates recycled content to Eastman Renew materials. In March Eastman opened its ‘molecular


recycling’ facility in Kingsport, Tennessee. The facility has the capacity to recycle around 110,000 tonnes/year of plastics. The company says will help it reach its goal of recycling 225,000 tonnes/year of plastic waste by 2030.


Medical Recyclate Separately, Pacur has teamed up with SK Chemicals, to address the increasing demand for recycled plastics in the medical device industry. At the recent MD&M West show, Pacur exhibited


products incorporating SK materials. Future collaborations include the development of prod- ucts based on recycled materials, such as SK’s Skypet CR BL (which contains 98.5% recycled content), and Ecotria. Jason Eckel, senior vice president of sales and


marketing at Pacur, said: “This represents an opportunity to diversify our portfolio of sustainable solutions for medical device packaging, by leveraging the supply of SK’s recycled materials.” Kim Eung-soo, head of green materials at SK Chemicals, added: “This collaboration will serve as a milestone in enhancing sustainability in medical packaging. We will exert more efforts to expand the supply of recycled materials in the medical packaging sector in the future.”


� www.filmandsheet.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50