Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH, Schwaig, is bringing a small version of its El-Exis SP 250 packaging machine series to Fakuma 2021. Available worldwide, the El Exis SP range, now comprises ten machines, with a clamping force range of 150 to 1,000 tons. At the trade fair in Friedrichshafen, a cup application, made from a ISCC Plus-certified polypropylene material, will impressively demonstrate the high speed, user-friendliness, sustainability and durability of this hybrid machine.
"The opening and closing sides of our machine are the fastest on the market," explains Arnaud Nomblot, Business Development Director, Packaging. “Achieving injection speeds of 1,000 mm/s with short cycle times is a direct result of the hydraulic accumulator. Further supporting the sustainability agenda, processors can produce ever thinner and lighter packaging items, significantly reducing raw material requirements, packaging waste and carbon footprint”, notes Nomblot.
Revealing Act! "Sustainably" benefits
Unveiling the company’s new trade fair slogan Act! "Sustainably", the El-Exis SP series underpins Sumitomo (SHI) Demag‘s efforts and future production innovations. Integrated firmly into the company’s mission statement, only machines and equipment that are compatible with these ecological and corporate social responsibility credentials will be considered for production projects moving forward.
Examining the key post-pandemic packaging trends, Nomblot highlights that environmental compatibility and multi-purpose capability are now the most important decision factors for packaging moulders, along with price of “green” packaging and how product quality is perceived. Additionally, with the introduction of the EU Packaging Levy on non-recycled packaging waste within EU Member States, a shift towards more sustainable and single material packaging is inevitable.
“Thanks to our diversified machine portfolio and our high performance machines, we are in the position to meet all requirements and are therefore involved in nearly all new packaging projects,” verifies the packaging expert. Measured against competing technologies, not only is the El-Exis SP’s processing cycle time significantly shorter, the hybrid design also offers discernable energy efficiency advantages, Nomblot confirms.
Accelerating circular agenda
At Fakuma, the El-Exis SP 250 demonstration will showcase the efficient production of four decorated cups every 5.5 seconds in collaboration with Société Nouvelle Caulonque, Soustons (France), supplier of the four-cavity mould tool. Feeding labels with precision into the packaging machine is an automated Spark IML system from Pagès Group, Foncine-le-Haut (France), with iPB Printing B.V., Reusel (Netherlands) supplying the high quality labels.
Leader in recyclable materials Borealis, Vienna (Austria) supplies its BJ368MO PP copolymer for the trade fair application. Characterised by its good flow behaviour and optimal combination of high rigidity and high impact strength, the material is part of the company’s trademarked Bornewables portfolio of circular premium polyolefin materials. Produced with renewable feedstock derived entirely from waste and residue streams, the ISCC Plus certified cycle-oriented polypropylene solution offers a viable alternative to virgin PP, with a much reduced carbon footprint.
For optimum efficiency, the El-Exis SP 250 at the booth features Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s web-based "myConnect" software solution. Giving customers direct access to a wide range of fully networked support services, the central platform assists packaging production managers to better manage inefficiencies, reduce costs, improve total cost of ownership, troubleshoot errors and minimise machine downtime. "With myConnect, customers can instantly access machine documentation online. Additionally, our helpdesk experts can remotely access the machine and provide valuable troubleshooting support," comments Nomblot.
