STADLER has reached an impressive milestone with the production of its 1,000th ballistic separator. The machine was purchased by Vaersa, a company providing waste management and remediation activities in the Valencia region, in Spain. The STT5000_6_1 ballistic separator was delivered to their light packaging sorting plant in Castellón on September 28th, where it just started operation.
STADLER won Vaersa’s public tender for the supply of the ballistic separators with the score. “We are pleased to be working with STADLER. We already knew of their excellent reputation and that it is a brand of reference in the waste sorting sector,” stated Noelia Almiñana, Head of Vaersa’s waste management department.
“The demand for ballistic separators in the Spanish market has risen very fast, driven by the automatization of recycling plants, which have also significantly increased their capacity,” explains Luis Sánchez, Director of Operations at the Spanish STADLER Selecciona SLU. “Without ballistic separators it would be very difficult to achieve these twin objectives. As a result, today more than 75% of recycling plants in Spain rely on these machines. At STADLER, we pioneered this technology and have constantly improved and upgraded its performance over the years. That is why companies like Vaersa choose our ballistic separators. The STT5000_6_1 is a perfect match for the sorting plant in Castellón and it delivers the benefits of remarkably low maintenance costs.”
Pioneering ballistic separators lead to long-lasting partnership
A global market leader in ballistic separators, STADLER has pioneered this highly efficient and cost-effective solution. Development started in the early 1990s, and the first four STT2000 units were delivered in 1992 to Fischer for its sorting plant in Ravensburg, in Germany.
“Today our ballistic separators are very effective and extremely durable, but the initial development wasn’t easy,” explains Willi Stadler at STADLER. “It was very difficult at the time to build a machine robust enough to endure the challenges of waste. We didn’t have a specially developed shaft, so we purchased one from the agricultural sector. However, this shaft was not designed for use with waste and wasn’t as durable as we would have liked.”
Mr. Hans Fuchs, who was Plant Manager at Fischer at the time, was impressed with STADLER’s approach to resolving the issue: “In the beginning we experienced some problems because the shaft was not specifically designed for garbage use. STADLER was a pioneer in the field of waste sorting at that time, and pioneering work is always difficult. It is understandable that it takes a certain amount of time to solve all the problems that arise, which STADLER then did very well.”
In fact, the team at Fischer were so satisfied that they purchased two further machines for their sorting plant in Villingen-Schwenningen. This was the beginning of a lasting relationship with STADLER, which continues to date. Fischer was later acquired by Remondis, which remains a loyal customer.
“Today the STADLER ballistic separators are flawless and fulfil their purpose excellently,” says Mr. Fuchs, who has remained with the company and is now employed by Remondis. “Our machine from 2012 has clocked many more operating hours than STADLER guarantees and the shafts still work perfectly and have never had to be replaced.”
The reasons for such a strong and long-standing relationship also lie in the quality of support and advice STADLER has provided over the years: “During the several renovations and optimizations of our paper sorting plant, STADLER has been at our side with help and advice,” explains Mr. Fuchs. “They have always found the best solution for us to make the line even more effective. The service around maintenance and spare parts is also always very good. In the 2000s, we started to develop a concept for plant inspections together with STADLER in order to avoid damage and problems during high material times (such as Christmas or Easter). As a result, we had never had a system downtime or major repairs.”
The first ballistic separator with 100% STADLER components
In 1996 STADLER introduced its first ballistic separator featuring a shaft developed in-house and 100% original components. The machine was purchased by Böhme, in Germany, again starting a lasting relationship.
Stefan Böhme, CEO of Böhme, states: “In our first light packaging sorting plant, the two STADLER ballistic separators operating in parallel always fulfilled the core task of material classification after the screening drum, which was still very simple at the time. The ballistic separator was, and remains to this day, the only mechanical device capable of separating so efficiently three different fractions at the same time when sorting light packaging.”
STADLER’s ballistic separators play an important role in the company’s sorting plant: “Reliable separation of fines and the separation of 2D and 3D material are the standard here. For a long time, we have been using air support to discharge the 2D material to generate a large part of our film fraction for manual re-sorting. A very big advantage for the overall sorting quality is also the excellent material distribution for subsequent units, which is generated by the ballistic separator.”
For Mr. Böhme too, STADLER stands out not only for the quality of its products but, very importantly, for its capacity to help Böhme’s operation evolve and grow to meet the changing demand of the sector over time: “STADLER has excellent products, a high level of planning expertise and, last but not least, a wealth of experience in the implementation of large-scale plant installations or conversions. I particularly appreciate the adherence to schedules and the expertise with which the construction measures were implemented. The teams make targeted use of their experience and the contact with the project manager also leaves nothing to be desired. The fast and reliable spare parts service is also impressive: even for older components, a solution is always found”.
Continuous innovation anticipating customer requirements
STADLER is constantly searching for ways to improve its machines’ performance and efficiency. In 2000, it introduced two important innovations: the patented pivoting frame, which eliminated the need to tilt the entire machine and adjust the conveyors, and the paddles with screened perforation.
In 2002, STADLER extended its offering of STT2000 ballistic separators with a new model developed specifically for separating paper and cardboard, featuring its patented Z-shaped paddles. The same year, having identified a new market requirement, it launched the STT5000 for heavy materials, such as MSW and industrial waste. This machine featured a shaft designed to withstand moist waste and extra robust paddles for processing flows of heavy materials.
Most recently, STADLER identified a new demand for processing extra heavy material, a fast growing recycling sector due to environmental concerns and pressure to reuse materials. To address this requirement, it developed the STT6000 specifically for sorting construction and demolition waste, landfill mining, and even MSW with large impurities.
Assistant Head of Research and Development at STADLER, Mr. Christian Nordmann, highlights the key advantages of the machine: “There is no need for pre-sorting or pre-shredding the input. Also, differently from screening drums, which separate the material only in two fractions, the three-fraction output of the STT6000 means that impurities can be easily removed, as they are still in their original size.”
STADLER ballistic separators are extremely flexible and can be adapted to match very specific requirements. For example, the company has designed ballistic separators with fewer paddles to fit in the small spaces available in sorting plants in Japan. It has also created machines with longer paddles to address very particular needs. It can also assemble up to three ballistic separator modules on top of each other or serially to achieve better output fractions.
An international success
STADLER ballistic separators are internationally recognized and are operating in markets across the world, with more than 770 units sold in Europe, some 70 machines in North America, more than 80 in Asia, 60 in Australia and over 20 in Latin America.
www.w-stadler.de/en/index
Celebration of pioneering innovation history with milestone of 1,000th ballistic separator
New partner for India
Weldon Celloplast Limited and MATHO Konstruktion & Maschinenbau GmbH have agreed to a sales and service cooperation for the Cuttopipe, Cuttobag and Cuttopress series of MATHO for India.
Weldon Celloplast Limited, New Delhi India is a total solutions provider to the label industry and represent globally renowned manufacturers of printing equipment, tooling, inspection and waste management systems besides offering tamper evident security label materials. Founded in 1982, Weldon offers comprehensive sales and service services for machinery and systems of the brands they represent.
MATHO is leading manufacturer of exceptionally engineered waste handling systems, granulators and waste extraction systems for the packaging, converting, and labels industry. The systems cut, extract and transport the production waste into a waste disposal. Thanks to the modular structured concept, MATHO is in position to convert customer needs to reality, immediately and with great flexibility.
Joint Venture being met for the Ultimate Color Neutral Laminated Glass
Continuing demand for superior low-iron glass products in both the premium commercial and residential markets is being met with an innovative collaboration between Eastman and Guardian Glass. Eastman and Guardian are jointly announcing Eastman’s new Saflex Crystal Clear PVB interlayer, which is designed to produce one of the most color neutral, brilliant laminated low-iron glass products available today: Guardian UltraClear LamiGlass Neutral.
“Until now, laminating low-iron glass was challenging because traditional interlayers tend to reduce the neutral, transparent properties of low-iron glass,” says Priya Kalsi, segment market manager with Eastman. “Our new Saflex Crystal Clear interlayer dramatically enhances the aesthetic appearance of Guardian UltraClear low-iron glass when laminated, offering exceptional crisp neutrality and beauty, providing aesthetics that are very similar to monolithic Guardian UltraClear glass. All the traditional benefits of laminated glass remain unchanged, including safety, security and acoustic control. Saflex Crystal Clear PVB interlayer remains virtually undetectable at any visible angle in any light.”
“This collaboration with Eastman answered a key concern for both companies’ customers in search for an endless need for neutrality and transparency,” says Eric Lassalle, product manager Laminated Glass at Guardian Glass. “Our joint cooperation enabled us to deliver a greatly improved aesthetic appearance when Guardian UltraClear glass is laminated with Saflex Crystal Clear PVB interlayer. Crystal Clear PVB can also be used with various combinations of coatings and surface treatments on Guardian UltraClear glass, making it ideal for a targeted range of high-performance solutions.”
Applications
Guardian UltraClear LamiGlass Neutral can be used in a wide range of applications where brilliant neutrality, high transparency and safety are required. These include:
Interior: Interior Doors / Partitions / Balustrades / Stairs and Railings / Furniture /Retail Shelving / Display Cases / Museum Glazing
Exterior: Cladding / Curtain Walls / Facades / Windows / Skylights / Exterior Doors / Storefront and Shop Windows
saflex.com/crystalclear /guardianglass.com/ultraclear / www.guardian.com / guardianglass.com / www.eastman.com
Formation of Binder Jet Public-Private Partnership
- GE and IEDC agree to co-invest in R&D with a focus on additive manufacturing, factory automation, advanced software development and manufacturing readiness
- Partnership focused on identifying additive innovation opportunities, both adoption and technology development, within Indiana supply chains
- Establishment of Emerging Manufacturing Collaboration Center (EMC2)
- Industry day focused on Binder Jet R&D is planned for December 8
GE Additive and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the state of Indiana’s lead economic development agency, today announced the formation of a metal Binder Jet public-private partnership, as part of a broader effort to further position Indiana’s manufacturing sector for long-term growth.
Collaborative Approach to Innovation
“We’re excited by the opportunity presented to us by IEDC,” said GE Additive Chief Technology Officer Christine Furstoss. “Binder Jet is one of the most dynamic areas within additive manufacturing today, and one that the automotive and mobility industry in particular is watching closely.”
“Given Indiana’s strong automotive manufacturing focus, we have high hopes that this partnership will tap into its abundant seam of innovation and spark new forward-thinking applications – especially in field of automation and software development,” she added.
Indiana is a leader in manufacturing, with 8,500 manufacturing facilities and the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation. With more than 500 automotive suppliers and five original equipment manufacturer (OEM) companies, Indiana supports the second largest automotive sector by GDP in the U.S., producing more than 1.3 million cars and light trucks annually.
Building a Broad, Flexible, Factory Ecosystem
GE Additive’s Binder Jet beta partner program continues to gain momentum. Six global technology and automotive sector players are already partnering with GE Additive teams in Cincinnati to commercialize its Binder Jet technology.
“Collaboration with industry sits at the very core of our strategy,” said GE Additive Innovation Leader Josh Mook. “We deliberately set out to identify a select group of strategic partners that could help us develop a real-world solution. It’s critically important that when we bring our solution to market next year it can deliver value from day one.”
“Our beta partnership program is already paying dividends in many ways. Now, we’re now looking to extend that industry collaboration. Through the R&D partnership with IEDC we will create a test bed to work with partners, customers, startups, and SMEs in Indiana and further afield to develop additive-centric innovation and real-world solutions,” adds Mook.
The IEDC board of directors recently approved $3 million under its Economic Activity Stabilization and Enhancement initiative to establish the new Emerging Manufacturing Collaboration Center (EMC2). This facility will provide a physical space where state-of-the-art equipment will be available to new and existing Indiana manufacturers to train employees, perform contract manufacturing and raise awareness of new products and software.
A vacant building in the thriving 16 Tech Innovation District has been identified and will be refurbished to house EMC2 – an Emerging Manufacturing Collaboration Center – and a mix of other commercial tenants by summer 2021. EMC2 will allow new and existing manufacturers to utilize state-of-the-art equipment, including GE Additive’s Binder Jet technology, to train employees, conduct third-party pilot manufacturing and increase awareness of products and software applications.
16 Tech is a 50-acre live-work-innovate community focused on bringing together entrepreneurs, academics, startups, corporations and creatives in a single place to spark the exchange of ideas that leads to innovation.
Working closely with the IEDC to invest in Binder Jet and software technology, as well as driving innovation in key industry supply chains, GE Additive will make use of the new EMC2 as a physical focal point for the initiative.
“With our Binder Jet solution we have created a highly capable, expandable system,” said Mook. “We will use this partnership with the IEDC to build a broad, flexible, factory ecosystem to cover powder to part, including the recycling chain. Our system is able to support the wide range of companies that we will participate in the ecosystem and we have designed it to be easily plugged into.”
Driving Economic Benefit
“Every day, Indiana manufacturers are developing safe, reliable and innovative products that help power the world,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. “As new trends and technologies change the state of today’s manufacturing industry, Indiana is focused on partnering with forward-thinking organizations like GE Additive and advancing strategic initiatives to propel long-term growth in manufacturing and equip Hoosiers with the industry-focused skills and training needed for the future.”
GE Additive and IEDC will arrange a virtual industry day on December 8 to kick-off the initiative, and to elaborate on potential projects that ensure broad technology and economic benefit to Indiana and wider U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
Participants will also hear from Binder Jet experts, see latest demos of GE Additive’s Binder Jet technology and participate in technical workshops with GE Additive’s team of experts and external sector specialists.
Details will be made available shortly, including requests for proposals and funding opportunities. Eligible delegates will include companies of all sizes, software developers, manufacturing equipment developers, as well as end-users.
www.ge.com/additive / http://geadditive
Welcoming of an Additive manufacturer into Binder Jet Beta Partner Program
GE Additive has announced that Sandvik Additive Manufacturing has become a strategic partner in its Binder Jet beta partner program. Sandvik has one of the widest alloy program for additive manufacturing on the market, marketed under the Osprey brand.
Sandvik will work closely with GE Additive to become a certified powder supplier for a range of Osprey alloys that complement GE Additive and AP&C’s own materials portfolio – and will also use GE Additive’s H2 Binder Jet beta machine to support its internal and external customers.
GE Additive’s Binder Jet beta partner program leverages the company’s strength in industrializing additive technology with strong technical and innovative partners to rapidly grow its Binder Jet technology. The first phase involves developing the beta H2 system into pilot lines, and eventually into a commercially available factory solution in 2021.
“Our approach to Binder Jet is making additive mass production a reality in every industry. And while it would be relatively easier to launch individual machines, we continue to hear from customers, especially in the automotive industry, that they need a complete solution that can scale.” said Jacob Brunsberg, Binder Jet product line leader, GE Additive.
“Attracting partners like Sandvik – with know-how in industrializing innovation, deep materials knowledge, and a shared vision for the potential for additive technology – remains a cornerstone of our Binder Jet commercialization strategy,” he added.
“Sandvik is a leading expert in gas-atomized additive manufacturing powders, as well as in optimizing the materials to customers’ specific print processes and applications,” said Kristian Egeberg, President of Sandvik Additive Manufacturing. “The materials collaboration with GE Additive offers great opportunities to qualify our wide range of Osprey metal powders for their new Binder Jet platform, to enhance end customer productivity and product performance.”
Sandvik brings the program over 150 years of leading expertise in materials technology, more than 40 years’ experience of powder atomization, leading know-how in post processing methods such as metal cutting, sintering and heat treatment, and extensive expertise across the entire additive technology value chain – from metal powder to finished additive components.
In 2019, Sandvik acquired a significant stake in BEAMIT, a leading European-based AM service bureau, and in 2020 the BEAMIT Group acquired 100% of ZARE, bringing together two leading AM service bureaus in Europe – to create one of the largest independent AM service providers, serving the most demanding industries.
www.ge.com/additive / www.metalpowder.sandvik / www.additive.sandvik
A Flexible Packaging Industry Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainability
The initiative aims to improve the benefits of flexible packaging in the circular economy through innovative design solutions
Comexi, a specialist in solutions for the printing and converting industry of flexible packaging, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and the circular economy by joining CEFLEX (Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging). This initiative is a collaboration of over 160 European companies, associations and organizations which represent the entire flexible packaging value chain. As an objective, the consortium will towards ensuring that all flexible packaging in Europe is based on a circular economy before 2025. This will improve, through innovative design solutions, benefits which are identified by the collaboration of participating companies.
The circular economy is based on the use of resources and the reduction of raw materials, the optimization of materials and waste, and the use extension of material life. This model is committed to an environmentally friendly system that is based on prevention, reuse, repair and recycling, and extending the useful life of products, thus giving them a second life. “We fully identify with the principles that CEFLEX defends,” says Diego Hervás, CEO of Comexi, who stresses that the company has unfailingly been committed to seeking solutions which respond to more sustainable solutions in the flexible packaging market.
Comexi is aware that sustainability and recycling are gaining more and more interest and becoming more influential. The objective of a circular economy is no longer a mirage, but a perfectly distinguishable reality. In reference to tendency, end users want environmentally friendly solutions which include easily disposable materials. In respect to this, Comexi is committed to sustainable printing with the use of curable and water-based inks, thus improving the recyclability of packaging.
Furthermore, Comexi has designed two new and specific technical lamination solutions which offer sustainable solutions without sacrificing any properties of existing materials and maintaining client demands. These solutions were created as a response to the two principal trends of sustainability: the use of mono-materials and the use of paper for low barrier applications.
Regarding mono-materials, successful efforts have been made to improve state-of-the-art solvent-free adhesive applications and optimize stress management. In reference to paper, the application of barrier coatings has been one of the primary focuses through the gravure carriage with a pressurized feeding system, being that it is especially designed for this type of application.
Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging
CEFLEX was launched in 2017 within the framework of the Interpack show. Since this time, it has continued to grow and presently has brought together over 160 companies and organizations that represent the flexible packaging value chain: material producers; ink, coating and adhesive suppliers; film producers; flexible packaging converters; brand owners,, waste management companies; recyclers; extended producers responsibility organizations; and technology providers.
Before the end of 2020, regarding vision, CEFLEX aspires to develop and implement a roadmap for flexible packaging based on sustainability and the circular economy, including design guidelines, added value, and resource efficiency, among others. This roadmap will be accessible to the members of the consortium, as well as anyone who is interested in having this information.
www.comexi.com
Specialties business on track to establish stand-alone operations
SABIC confirms that the establishment of its Specialties strategic business unit (SBU), as a separate, stand-alone business, which will remain owned by it, is on track. While it continues to monitor the business impacts of COVID-19, at this time, it anticipates that the timing of the “go-live” for the stand-alone operations of the group of companies embedding its SBU will be November 1, 2020.
The establishment of the stand-alone model for the Specialties SBU will bring additional value to its customers who depend on the Specialties business for its innovation expertise and highly differentiated ULTEM and NORYL resins, LNP compounds and copolymers.
The process of establishing the corporate, financial, commercial and business structure of the stand-alone organization has progressed successfully. The Specialties business has been working closely with its customers, distributors and suppliers with the strong commitment to ensure business continuity for all parties during the transition.
Ernesto Occhiello, Executive Vice President Specialties, said: “We are pleased the establishment of the Specialties business unit, as a stand-alone corporate group of companies within SABIC, is progressing as planned. The task we have as a business is to continue to strengthen our market position and bring added value to our customers. We will continue to work closely with them to address their most – and often one-of-a-kind – challenges by offering a unique portfolio of high-end products, technologies and solutions.“
Moreover, in advance of the go-live, the Specialties business has undertaken a global reorganization to align required staffing with the strategic focus of the transformed business. This endeavour has been effective in bringing no impact to customers, while successfully retaining company’s talent within SABIC and limiting the instances of redundancies.
SABIC’s Specialties business has deployed new fulfilment strategies to ensure the best support of its broad customer base. The business is focusing its resources and efforts on specification and is working closely with its customers and distribution partners. The anticipated capacity expansions for the NORYL and ULTEM products are progressing while the company is adhering to strict safety precautions for its employees in light of the global pandemic. The expansions are expected to be operational in 2021 in the Netherlands and 2022 in Singapore, benefiting a growing customer demand with strategically positioned supply and shorter lead times.
The decision to establish the Specialties business as a stand-alone group of companies precedes the acquisition of a 70% stake in SABIC from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) by Saudi Aramco and it is unrelated to it. SABIC remains a listed company on the Saudi Stock Exchange, with its board of directors representing the interests of all shareholders and continuing to exercise its own robust governance practices.
www.sabic.com
Recyclingtech Strengthens International Service and Distribution Network with New Location in Singapore
Lindner has been doing business in Asia for over 20 years now. In recent years in particular, a greater awareness of the need to manage resources responsibly and, above all, to recover waste materials, has grown in the world’s most densely populated region. The Asia-Pacific region has become one of the largest growth markets in the waste management sector. Lindner Recyclingtech, one of the world’s leading suppliers of shredding technology and system solutions for recycling, is now strengthening its presence in the region with its new subsidiary in Singapore, thereby expanding its international service and distribution network.
‘We already have
very strong partners with whom we successfully implemented numerous projects in countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and also Australia. With the new service and sales hub in Singapore, we’ve created a point of contact for partners and clients to better respond to individual local needs and also react quickly across time zones,’ explains Gerhard Gamper, Sales Director. Besides sales and logistics staff, and contacts to help with the supply of wear parts, the site will also be home to highly qualified service technicians trained directly at Lindner’s headquarters. These regional advantages, combined with the new hub, the subsidiary in the US and the European headquarters, mean our support team is now readily available to a much larger international customer base. ‘We set very high standards for our machines and in particular for our services worldwide. I am therefore delighted that we are now closing the loop with Lindner Asia-Pacific and will be even closer to our clients in future. That’s exactly what our service strategy is about,’ summarises Gamper.
www.lindner.com
Specialty chemicals company funds pensions with EUR 100 million
- Group-wide pension funding status improves to around 60 percent
- Safeguarding company pension scheme
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is increasing its German pension plan assets by EUR 100 million. The pension provisions, which amounted to EUR 1.135 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2020, are reduced accordingly. The Group-wide funding status of pension obligations improves from around 56 percent to around 60 percent with this transaction.
“We are again adding to our pension assets in order to further safeguard our company pension scheme. Future-proof pensions for our employees are of great importance to us,” said Michael Pontzen, Chief Financial Officer.
www.lanxess.in
Birth of new production line in Thailand
First Step In Global Capacity expansion for films
Covestro has launched a new production line for polycarbonate films in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Thailand. With the new capacity, the company aims to meet the rapidly growing demand in the Asia-Pacific region and to strengthen its own position as a market leader in this field. The films are mainly used in the automotive, telecommunications, medical technology and ID document sectors. The project is the first step in a global expansion of its plastic film production. The total investment of more than 100 million euros also includes an expansion of the associated infrastructure and logistics to shorten delivery times. More than 100 new jobs will be created worldwide.
“With this additional production line using state-of-the-art technology, we are investing in future growth in the Asia-Pacific markets, which are very important to us,” says Sucheta Govil, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). “At the same time, we are responding to the rapidly growing demand for specialty films in this region and are supporting the expansion of promising technologies and industries.”
More intensive customer service
Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of Specialty Films, sees advantages in customer service: “The new production line is important to us because it enables faster market launches and at the same time expands our market access in Asia-Pacific. Our most important goal is to intensify our cooperation with customers in the region and to increase our efficiency. We intend to drive growth in the plastic film business with innovations and a stronger customer focus.”
Covestro has been operating a production facility for specialty films in Thailand since 2007. The range comprises polycarbonate films from the Makrofol range and Bayfol products made from polycarbonate blends. The new line is equipped with the latest technology and operates very efficiently.
As a further measure in the investment program to expand film production, Covestro has already converted a coextrusion film plant in Guangzhou, China, for the future. At the South Deerfield site in the USA, the efficiency and quality of film production was also improved. The next milestone will be the expansion of films production in Dormagen, where the company is currently building up new coextrusion capacities. This project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2020.
covestro.com