Sheet extrusion seeing global expansion

A number of extrusion equipment suppliers have reported an upswing in the purchase of various types of sheet extrusion lines this year. SMS Plastics Technology recently released news of an order for seven PVC sheet extrusion lines placed with its subsidiary, Cincinnati Extrusion GmbH. “Recently there has been an enormous increase in the demand for PVC sheet lines, and judging from the many enquiries we have received from Eastern Europe, we are expecting more orders in the future,” says Karl Polz, the company’s product manager for extrusion lines.

Most of the lines will be used for foamed sheet production for the construction industry. Free-foam sheet lines offer the benefits of high output (up to 1,200 kg/hr) and lower density, which reduces overall cost.

Another machinery supplier, Brckner Group, has reported a sharp increase in the demand for cast polypropylene film (CPP). Brckner credits CPP’s excellent optical and mechanical properties for the growth in demand. As a result, one of the firm’s subsidiaries, Brckner Formtec, has expanded its offerings from rigid sheet and film, and is now supplying CPP production equipment. The company’s lines can produce CPP film in widths ranging between 3 to 6 m, with outputs of up to 2,000 kg/hr.

Cincinnati Extrusion www.sms-k.com

Brckner Group www.brueckner.com