Merseyside based Tech Folien Ltd has installed Vetaphone corona treatment technology on its latest Hosokawa Alpine extruder to handle a wide range of film thicknesses.
Part of the Polyart Group and a leading UK niche manufacturer of PE, PP and other co-extruded blown films, Tech Folien specified Vetaphone corona technology for the most recent of its five Hosokawa Alpine extruders located in its 40,000 sq/ft production facility in Speke, a suburb of Liverpool. The company, which is BRCGS Packaging Materials and ISO 9001:2015 certified is a major supplier to the food industry, offering a wide range of transparent, white and coloured films in thicknesses from 10 to 600-micron that are single or double-side corona treated, as well as top-coated products, all of which are recyclable.
Previously a user of US manufactured corona technology, the company’s introduction to Vetaphone was unusual, as Maintenance Manager Dave Churm explained: “We have had a Vetaphone corona treater running off another manufacturer’s generator for around 20 years and it’s done us proud. So, when we came to specify the new Alpine in 2023, we looked at what the Danish company had to offer as a complete package.”
The result was a project costing £1.5m that saw two 1920mm double-sided Vetaphone VE2C-B stations with segmented electrodes fitted to a Hosokawa Alpine HX75 Flex Mono Extruder. The Alpine has a 75mm screw, a maximum working width of 1800mm and can produce 10 – 200-micron LD, LLDPE, and HDPE at up to 150m/min. The Vetaphone iCorona generator 2UL has an 8kW rating and the whole system is controlled by an iCC7 panel with Profinet interface. The 90-degree extraction blower has a 2.2kW motor capable of venting 32m3 air per minute
“From our investigations it quickly became obvious that Vetaphone sets the standard in the corona treatment market. Our requirement was for a system that could handle a variety of work and their response to our enquiries and specific requirements was first class. Most of all, we feel that Vetaphone technology is the best value for money on the market,” commented Andy Lester, Operations Director.
Tech Folien’s production plant has five extruders, varying in size from 1000 to 2000mm width in lay-flat terms. Most production these days is LD film like PP with little demand for HD films anymore. Known for its specialist approach to niche products, Tech Folien has an extensive knowledge of modifiers and additives that allows it to develop films for specific applications in today’s sophisticated and demanding markets.
Segments served include self-adhesive laminators, silicone coaters, food contact and packaging films, narrow web labels and tags, graphics, automative construction and mail-order and security work. Andy Lester explained: “If you need a film with distinctive or special features or are searching for a partner with whom you can develop new markets Tech Folien is well set up. In partnership with our coating and converting group companies we can provide a solution, not only for a base film, but also for a distinctive surface requirement and any print technique.”
With an eye on the future of packaging in the environment, Tech Folien is actively researching recyclable alternatives to laminates and PPs, with pressure from the retail sector and end consumers accelerating the drive. Committed to developing new films that meet the criteria of these projects, the company has developed Satinex HLS2 to replace direct thermal paper/PP laminates with a fully recyclable alternative for fruit net labels and is working on various forms of new food and hygiene packaging.
In all this research and development, the precise controllability of our corona technology will play a vital role and Dave Churm is delighted with the performance of the corona system on the new extruder. “It’s their wealth of knowledge and expertise that you buy into with Vetaphone technology, which is ideal when you are looking to research and develop new products – they make the perfect partner.”
