Extrusion: Bandera, PTi team for PET/PLA sheet lines

The agreement between Aurora, IL-based Processing Technologies International LLC (PTi) and Luigi Bandera Meccaniche S.p.A. (Bandera; Milan, Italy) will supply sheet extrusion systems for the North American market. This extrusion lines will make use of Bandera's patented High Vacuum Twin Screw Extruder (HVTSE) technology, which allows polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to be processed without drying and crystallizing, and polylactic acid (PLA) without drying. The HVTSE extruder de-volatilizes and de-moisturizes the material during extrusion. These twin-screw extruders will be integrated with single-screw sheet extrusion systems from PTi as part of a turnkey package. PTi will also provide its Titan-brand supervisory control system and UL-approved electrical components for delivery throughout North America.

The companies plan to install a production-scale demonstration line at PTi headquarters in 2010.  "We feel it's important to have the ability to demonstrate this technology to potential customers under real-world conditions," said PTi president Dana Hanson. "Our plan is to have customers send in their own material, or we will have material available for them to trial."

Bandera has already placed 80 of its HVTSE units around the world, but to date has made little headway in North America. The goal of this agreement is to change that. Bandera's VP of sales and marketing, Andrea Rigliano, says the two companies have entered into a 10-year exclusive agreement covering North America, with PT promoting and incorporating Bandera's HVTSE technology into PTi sheet extrusion lines. These lines will be manufactured, serviced and supported from PTi's headquarters in Aurora. —[email protected]