Pipe Machinery
Scoring high in energy efficiency At a time when energy costs, carbon footprint, and economics are crucial issues across manufacturing industries, there is no other important technology than the one that is energy efficient. Battenfeldcincinnati (Foshan) Extrusion Systems, the Chinese arm of Austrian machinery maker battenfeld-cincinnati, has tweaked its machinery to offer energy efficiency. After the display of the soIEX60 series at Chinaplas last year, the solEX 75-40-C extruder was shown at Chinaplas 2014
Focus on efficiency According to the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s 2013 report, energy efficiency is the world’s important fuel. Energy efficiency holds the spotlight in the International Energy Efficiency Scorecard report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). This year, ACEEE’s second edition report cites Germany as leading the top 16 largest economies worldwide, which comprise more than 81% of global GDP and about 71% of global electricity consumption. Energy efficiency is unquestionably a defining factor in today’s industries. It is also topmost in extrusion specialist battenfeld-cincinnati’s agenda. In a recent interview with PRA, Mark Feng, General Manager of battenfeldcincinnati (Foshan) Extrusion Systems, said, “We place emphasis on energy efficiency in our machines and processes by optimising the screw and die design, and using AC main motor as a standard offering.” Feng went on to say that the company’s machinery is able to achieve about 30-50% energy savings per tonne for PO pipe processing when compared with locally produced machines. “In addition, we offer an inner cooling system for large diameter/high output PO pipe extrusion and green pipe/profile downstream equipment for more energy savings. The energy saving feature is definitely one of the most important selling points for our machinery besides the high output, high stability, automation and long life span,” he adds. Stable sales Formerly known as B+C Extrusion Systems (Foshan), the company changed its name in 2010 as a result of a rebranding exercise. It was founded in 1996 and is based in Foshan, China. “We produce around 150 extrusion lines a year and have a turnover of US$45 million, 85% of which is from the local market, and 15% is from exports,” according to Feng. The Foshan operation now has a production space of 130,000 sq ft and a workforce of 180. Nevertheless, the company does not see itself expanding over the next five years. Feng explains, “This is because the plastic extrusion machinery market is, comparatively, not a very big market, yet the competition is quite high. On the other hand, by optimising the production/ management, we can manage to double the sales volume with the existing factory.” New to the market The company manufactures and markets extrusion equipment and systems. It offers single and twin-screw, parallel twin, and conical twin extruders. Additionally, the company provides control and automation systems. At the Chinaplas show, held in Shanghai this year, battenfeldcincinnati showcased the top billed solEX single-screw extruder series. Following the success of the demonstration of a PE gas pipe extrusion line in September 2013 and the display of the soIEX60 series at Chinaplas last year, the solEX 75-40-C extruder was shown at Chinaplas 2014.
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AUGUST 2014