Reifenhäuser’s Ultra Flat clinches sale of film lines to India’s Shrinath Rotopack

In a case of the “proof is in the pudding”, German extrusion machinery firm Reifenhäuser Blown Film claimed a sale to an Indian customer recently based on the web flatness of a sample film produced on a Reifenhäuser blown film line. This, the Troisdorf-headquartered firm says, served as an ultimate argument crucial for India’s Shrinath Rotopack Pvt. Ltd (SRPL)’s multi-million purchase of the Evoluion Ultra Flat, the patented film flattening unit integrated in the film haul-off.

On the one hand, this can also be attributed to the film quality improvement function and reduced complexity (technical aspects) and on the other hand to the investment cost (financial aspect) the film haul-off can score with. Furthermore, putting this to practice has shown that significant savings are possible when using webs of optimised flatness in converting processes on printing and laminating machines. In addition, the printing quality and laminating ability can be improved, in particular due to reduced curling of the film and optimised adhesion of the laminate.

Naresh Rathi and Manish Rathi, the two brothers from (SRPL), who look after the major investments of the company went to Europe to explore and evaluate European machine manufacturers for a new venture of manufacturing high barrier films. They also carried the recipes of the films for which they would run tests under real production condition.

In Troisdorf, they were presented with Reifenhäuser Blown Film’s patented film flattening system integrated in the haul-off. The system is able to correct and eliminate surface irregularities that may occur at the different stages of the web’s way through the bubble collapsing system. For SRPL there was no better reason than this to buy the machines, says an elated Reifenhäuser.

SRPL then ordered two highly automated blown film lines, which will be equipped with the systems, to be installed in their newly built factory in Hyderabad, India. The investment package includes a three-layer line for the production of high-quality laminating film for different applications. Also included are Evolution Ultra Flat and the Evolution Ultra Cool cooling system. The line enables output rates of 800 kg/hour.

A further order was placed for a seven-layer line for the production of complex barrier film for packaging of edible oils, dairy products, liquids, meat, sea food, dry fruits, vacuum packaging, etc. The line is also intended for the production of high-barrier film for lids and asymmetric thermoforming sheets. To handle such film structures, the seven-layer blown film line is equipped with a suitable water quench bath.

Kurt Freye, Director of Sales at Reifenhäuser Blown Film says: "Our convincing technology in combination with a longstanding trusting business relationship between Shrinath Rotopack and Reifenhäuser India has considerably contributed to the fact that the purchase decision was finally taken in favour of Reifenhäuser."

Reifenhäuser also had another installation in India, for an Evolution three-layer line at Varun Beverages of the RJ Group last year. http://www.plasticsandrubberasia.com/oct2014/machinery3.html

Shrinath Rotopack Pvt. Ltd., based in Hyderabad, India, is the flagship company of the Shree Group of Industries. With experience of over two decades in the plastics industry, the Group diversified its operations in the flexible packaging industry in the year 2000. With continuous expansion over the years the current capacity of the unit stands at 27,000 tonnes/year; sales stand at US$80 million and they aim to reach US$185 million by 2017.

Some of the firm’s special products include retort pouches, microwavable retort pouches, hot fill laminates, easy peel lidding films, degassing valve coffee bags, vacuum pouches and printed shrink films.