The name Reifenhäuser epitomises innovative strength, and the company counts among the most progressive blown film extrusion line manufacturers worldwide.
It has been highly-successful in South Africa, with 25 three- and five-layer systems installed nationwide.
‘The conferences were our way of saying “thank you” to our customers for their continued support and trust in our technology,’ comments Sascha Skora, senior sales manager for Reifenhäuser. ‘We’re 100% focused on blown film manufacture and South African converters have embraced our most contemporary systems to produce world-class films.’
Group MD, Ulrich Reifenhäuser, kicked-off the extensive programme with a review of Reifenhäuser’s impressive 101-year history plus its dramatic sales success since the 2007 purchase of Kiefel Extrusion. This was followed by a review of the global flexible packaging market, presented by Kurt Freye, head of sales and marketing at Reifenhäuser Extrusion.
Sascha Skora then put blown film technology in the spotlight, presenting some highlights of Evolution, Reifenhäuser new-generation blown film technology, including its high-performance cooling system, Evolution Ultra Cool.
Partners in progress
Also outlined was the company’s Magic Triangle of Extrusion, based on three core principles – quality, output and flexibility – and its ongoing Blue Technology sustainability initiative.
‘Reifenhäuser currently has around 7 200 blown film lines installed worldwide,’ explains Sascha. ‘We’ve achieved this by having the widest product range available and access to the largest R&D centre in the world, and by providing main components that are designed and manufactured in-house by our highly-qualified technicians and engineers. We’ve also aligned ourselves globally with like-minded partners, such as Ferrostaal, to provide an efficient and trusted local service.’
With 1 200 employees worldwide there are seven intricately linked operating divisions within the group including Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating, Reifenhäuser Extrusion Technology and Reifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion, as well as Polyrema, Reimotec, Reicofil and Reiloy.
Topics covered by these member companies and Reifenhäuser’s global business partners included trends and developments in polymers, presented by ExxonMobil, Plast Control’s gravimetric dosing and profile measurement systems. Chilling and cooling of extrusion equipment was discussed by Alessandro Grassi of Italian-based Frigosystems.
‘Each conference provided an opportunity for exchanging ideas and networking,’ states Sascha. ‘We want to continue serving the South African packaging market and I firmly believe we have the most suitable blown film solutions to help lift it to the next level.’.
Ferrostaal
T +27 011 6084445
www.ferrostaal.com / www.reifenhauser.com
