18 Nov 2003
Battenfeld Gloucester technology opens new markets
To increase its presence in the bag manufacturing market, Eastern Packaging Co., Inc. recently incorporated new technology and upgraded some older equipment in their Lawrence, Massachusetts plant. The addition of a new 3½" blown film Contracool® extruder and 10" die package from Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering in Gloucester, Massachusetts, has resulted not only in a dramatic 40% output increase for their current LD materials, but an improvement in film quality and the ability to run 100% LLDPE.
Currently a successful producer of polyethylene, cellophane and polypropylene bags, with over $6 million in sales, Eastern Packaging's 120,000 sq. ft. facility houses eight blown film extrusion lines with a number of converting machines, bag machines and printing presses.
"My grandfather started the business back in the 50's and Battenfeld Gloucester has been with us for many years," states Erik Curtis, president of Eastern Packaging, citing one of the reasons they selected Gloucester again for their new equipment. "Eben Andrew, Senior Blown Film Product Manager for Battenfeld Gloucester has helped all three generations of my family's business."
"It's been a pleasure watching this company grow," states Andrew. "We are looking forward to our continued relationship with Eastern Packaging, to further increase their annual production."
Battenfeld Gloucester's new UltraCool Air Ring demonstrates significant improvements in gauge variations and bubble stability. The new design is simple to adjust with more repeatable settings and more user friendly for the production environment. Coupled with a 10" monolayer die, the design provides the efficient processing and flexibility necessary to create quality film from demanding polymers to meet today's market needs.
"With this new line, we have gone from 1970's technology to 2003 technology," continues Curtis. "We geared the new extruder to the printing press and are getting good layflat. We can now also keep up with the linear low markets. We used to only be able to run blends, but for the first time we can run 100% LLDPE."
Being able to run pure LLDPE is extremely important due to the current market conditions. Mastion & Co. estimated the polyethylene film market in the USA and Canada in 2001 at 16,742 million lbs with an annual average growth rate of 7% up to the year 2006. LLDPE represents 52% of the polyethylene consumption for film production in this region, and according to CMAI May 2003 estimates, already represents 10% of the total polymer demand worldwide.
Several traditional applications using LDPE have been changing to LLDPE due to new resin grades available based on the metallocene and new generation Ziegler-Natta technologies, and offering properties competitive or superior to LDPE. Food packaging, with very demanding mechanical and sealing properties, is one of the main markets where LLDPE is replacing LDPE and increasing its market share.
Reader enquiries
SMS Plastics Technology
Scherl 10
58540 Meinerzhagen
Germany
Notes for editors
Battenfeld Gloucester, a division of the SMS Plastics Technology Group offered Eastern Packaging the technology they need to be a part of this growing market and the competitive edge to be a part of the plastics industry for many more generations in the future.
SMS Plastics Technology is a member of SMS AG.
SMS AG is the holding for a group of international companies specializing in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the processing of steel, non-ferrous metals and plastics. The group is comprised of the business areas of Metallurgical Plants and Rolling Mill Technology, Tube, Long Products and Forging Technology as well as Plastics Technology. In 2002, the group’s 9,900 employees at facilities all over the world achieved a total turnover of about EUR 2.20 bn.
Related images
Battenfeld Gloucester's new UltraCool air ring dramatically improves film quality and bubble stability.
