Page 60 - Plastics News November 2018

produCt news

Constantia Flexibles introduces Nordson’s new digital tool

sustainable packaging line 'SmartGap'

onstantia Flexibles has developed a new, more ordson Corporation has developed a digital tool
Csustainable packaging line named Ecolutions. The Nfor comparing the cost inputs of standard sheet
packaging line Ecolutions meets sustainable requirements, dies with removable lower lips and those of the EDI®
reduces the carbon footprint SmartGap™ mechanism for rapidly changing sheet
of packaging, focuses on thickness. The tool, called the SmartGap Payback
recyclable solutions and Analysis, enables sheet manufacturers to calculate the
decreases the impact payback time for switching to SmartGap technology.
on the environment. In SmartGap technology enables manufacturers to
addition to the sustainable make changes in thickness with unprecedented
ch a ra ct e rist ics, t h e speed, extend the range of thicknesses that they
packaging solutions have can produce, and achieve these improvements while
all the properties required enhancing sheet quality. The system uses a single-point
to protect the packaged adjustment mechanism that changes the lip gap while
simultaneously modifying the length of the lip land
products. It is lightweight, to provide the most appropriate conditions for the
and its OPE/PE structure is newly adjusted thickness as the sheet exits the die.
fully recycle-ready due to its mono-material structure. By mechanically linking the adjustment of these two
In addition, its carbon footprint is approximately 32% key process variables, the SmartGap system ensures a
smaller than that of comparable products. Another proper set-up of the die and takes substantial time and
advantage of the EcoLam packaging line are the great guesswork out of the process for achieving desired sheet
barrier properties. From Eco Lam, to EcoLamPlus to properties. Users of the SmartGap Payback Analysis
EcoLamHighPlus, the level of moisture, oxygen and even enter two types of information: 1) the one-time costs
aroma, as well as mineral oil, is getting higher and higher. of equipment investment for a standard sheet die with
For common high barrier packaging solutions, usually removable lower lip and for a new SmartGap system;
multi-material laminates are used to achieve high barrier and 2) process data
properties. But the lamination of different material groups including die length,
can hamper the recycling process. EcoLamPlus and EcoLam output rate, number
HighPlus combine excellent barrier properties with the of die gap and die
environmental benefits of a mono-material, which can lip changes, number
be fully recycled. EcoLam is used by Asian Paints. India’s of working days,
largest "Do it Yourself" manufacturer has switched all their raw material cost,
DIY products from PET/PE to EcoLam. In addition, dry approximate product
pet food, laundry products including powders, tabs and selling price, and
capsules can be packed in EcoLam. Because of the quality burden cost of sheet
oxygen and moisture barrier, EcoLamPlus is suitable line per hour.
for meat, cheese and dairy products in pouches. As Using these inputs, the tool calculates the daily output
EcoLamHighPlus provides an additional high barrier against values of the two systems, including downtime, missed
both moisture and oxygen, it is tideal for salad dressings production output, downtime cost, missed product
and coffee beans. When replacing one million standard gross profit, and total downtime cost; compares the
aluminum lids with EcoCover, savings can be achieved time required for changing die lips versus that needed
equal the amount of CO2 emitted by approximately one for changing the die gap in the SmartGap system; and
passenger car driven for one year. This corresponds to a estimates the how long it would take for a complete
reduction of the carbon footprint of up to 50%, which can return on an investment in the SmartGap system.The
be achieved by downgauging of the aluminum thickness, SmartGap system eliminates the extended shutdowns
which saves valuable resources. for changes in lip components.

Plastics News November 2018 6062