Consumables
New Manufacturing Equipment Delivers Stretch Film Rolls Without the Cardboard Core; Reduces Cost, Weight and Waste
Tuesday 22. July 2008 - Building on 20+ years of expertise automating after-extrusion stretch film production, global leader NO.EL Industrial Automation s.r.l. today announced the North American introduction of its exclusive, patented technology for creating standard stretch film rolls without the typical cardboard tube core inside.
The NO.EL Coreless Rewinder II employs a unique technique for winding stretch film material into an industry-standard sized roll so that the stretch film itself supports the roll’s structure.
Previously only available in Europe and Brazil, the NO.EL Coreless Rewinder II can help North American stretch film producers eliminate cost through supply chain simplification. It also helps the users of stretch film reduce their waste, since 100% of the film on the roll can be used for wrapping applications and leaves no cardboard tube to recycle. The initial NO.EL system offered will operate off-line and will deliver standard stretch film rolls for automatic wrapping and manual wrapping applications. NO.EL expects to deliver a new on-line system — capable of being integrated directly into a cast extrusion production line — to HIPAC, a current NO.EL customer, in a European plant in late 2008 or early 2009.
“Going ‘green’ and keeping that innovation cost effective is a challenge in the plastics business,” said Roberto Colombo, NO.EL Vice President and company partner. “But our European customers are convinced that getting rid of their cardboard cores is a mandate for responsible business practices going forward, and they successfully sell this as a value-add to their film customers. We believe North American producers are ready to follow this trend, because it’s cost effective and positive for the environment.”
The $3.7 billion stretch film industry in North America is due to grow at 4.7% per year, topping nearly $4.7 billion by 2011, according to the Freedonia Group. Within this context, it’s clear the use of cardboard tubes is expanding as well, with tremendous tonnage expected to be used — and later trashed or recycled — in that same timeframe if North American film producers do not go coreless.
Pricing and Availability
The NO.EL Coreless Rewinder II is euro 120,000 (USD: $170,000) per machine installed, depending on the application and the volume of purchasing by the North American customer. Delivery of an installed system is 60 to 90 days after confirmation of purchase.