Reifenhäuser talks increased demand for its flexible extruders

Reifenhäuser Extrusion is experiencing an increase in orders for thermoforming sheet extrusion lines featuring production capacities between 700 and 1500 kg/hr.

Soaring raw material costs, smaller orders from customers, and a strong pressure on end user prices are forcing producers to rapidly adapt themselves to new market situations, the company stated.

A Reifenhäuser spokesperson told PlasticsToday, while single-purpose extruders were discussed as an upcoming trend before the financial crisis, the increased interest in these lines is based on customers requesting more flexible solutions instead of high performance for a single product. He said this is where Reifenhäuser's extruders have the advantage.

"Single-purpose extruders are optimized for one product to run with maximum output," the spokesperson stated. "The efficiency of such a specialized machine is higher than of a multi-purpose machine."

Ten lines of this type used for the production of polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) drinking cups and deli containers for the dairy industry have been sold, and there are further prospective projects on hand, according to a news release.

Reifenhäuser thermoforming sheet lines are designed for a medium speed range, which can process a large spectrum of raw materials such as PP, PS, PET, and PLA, with one and the same screw. Due to its modular concept, the line can be tailored to the specific requirements of the customers without compromising flexibility, according to the company.

"Not extremely high output for one product, but good output and possibility to run other polymers in order to produce different products is the need of the market right now," the spokesperson said.

For the production of finished cups, automatic in-line vacuum forming can be integrated in the system.

The spokesperson said the company also sees a trend of the diversification of final products and more interest in mineral filling or foaming of polymers.

 "With these technologies, customers can save resin costs, which are 80% of the final production costs, as well as receive new and improved product properties," the spokesperson said.