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Packaging Industry News | August 2008 |
NEWS INDEX
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 RISING
COSTS DRIVE RPC PRICE INCREASE
The RPC Group has announced that it is to implement price increases
across its business of up to 15% on full selling prices with immediate
effect.
The company says the increases are the result of the unprecedented and
continuing rises in input costs including polymer, electricity and
transportation.
“The entire packaging industry is under acute pressure and we are not
exempt from this,” said RPC Chief Executive Ron Marsh. “We have to
implement these rises to maintain the viability of the Group and deliver a
performance that is acceptable to our shareholders.”
As examples, RPC says that the charge for a year’s electricity supply
contract in the UK has risen by 50% since October 2005, while the fuel
price escalator in its transport contracts has resulted in a 16% hike in
the price per mile since the beginning of 2008. The company also cites the
cost of financing the hugely higher stock values that are created by raw
material increases.
“We are operating on margins which simply cannot sustain these sort of
increases and we therefore have to pass them on to our customers,” said Mr
Marsh.
He added that transport charges account for 6% of RPC’s UK sales revenue
and although the company had already committed over £1.5m in the last year
to electricity saving measures, any savings achieved had been completely
swamped by the magnitude of electricity cost increases.
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Benco Pack delivers new ffs machine to East Europe for aseptic baby food.
 Benco
Pack, now form—fill-seal business unit of Sacmi Imola closures &
containers division has just delivered a new ffs machine with ISA
(Integrated Sleeve Applicator i.e. the machine-integrated sleeve label
applicator) to one of the biggest customer in East Europe for aseptic baby
food.
Thanks to the synergies and cooperation with his sister company Sacmi
Labelling, without any doubts one of the most important worldwide players
in labelling machines market, this device has reached an excellent level
of reliability and confirms being the real innovation in the sector due to
the great advantages it offers in terms of package appeal and material
cost saving compared with the traditionally paper-labelled thermoformed
cups or with pre-made cups.
From the beginning the idea was welcomed with great interest, immediately
creating a buzz inside the world of horizontal thermoforming machines. So
much so, that other rival businesses tried to follow this direction.
However, thanks to the technological advantages acquired during the
numerous laboratory tests and modifications, performed thanks to the
continuous support of Sacmi Labelling team, what seemed to be just a dream
was transformed into reality. Finally, Benco Pack can give shape to its
clients most audacious packaging dreams in terms of attractiveness of the
containers.
ISA’s strong point is in terms of container shape, as it adapts to
labelling a wide range of formats. An unreachable objective, until today,
with the technologies available on the market (see paper “in-mould”
label).
With ISA, it is now possible to label thermoformed containers directly on
the line with production that varies from 12 to 48,000 containers/hour.
In a unique structure, the filled and sealed container is individually
treated by a jet of steam, with variable duration, but always less than
0.8 seconds, rapidly realising the immediate shrinkage of the “sleeve”
label onto the container.
The steam necessary to complete the process is directly proportional to
the production speed and up to 10 times lower than the traditional
heat-shrinkage tunnels as pre-heating is not required and steam is not
pointlessly consumed when the machine is in standby.
Benco Pack has always tried to distinguish itself from its French and
German rivals for the high level of ergonomics of the thermoforming
machine, especially in terms of flexibility and ease of use by individual
operators. This easy-to-use research is also confirmed in the machines
equipped with ISA.
Until now, the container format change and the consequent label change has
always been considered a limit for FFS machines, but now finally with ISA,
a system based on its own dedicated shrinkage cylinder, it is possible to
change all device systems together with the forming mould in less than 30
minutes. In this way, once the plastic reels have been changed, new
production can be started immediately.
As far as material is
concerned, ISA uses “sleeve” labels made up for any type of material: OPS,
PET and even the less noble PVC. It therefore offers greater savings also
thanks to the possibility to choose freely among the different suppliers
of materials available on the international and local markets. It can also
depend on the complete availability of Benco Pack technical staff to test
the different material during inspection at the establishment in Piacenza.
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 All-in-One
Packaging Solutions for Ready-Meals
Hefestus, Israel, developed advanced ready-meal conveyor, named Hera, that
enables maximum flexibility in creating an unlimited range of full
ready-meals in various tray shapes.
Consumers are looking for new and exciting ready-meals every time they go to
the supermarket, but many ready-meals manufacturers face difficulties in
altering packaging and sealing of different products and trays, which leads
to time waste and high costs. Hefestus’s versatile machine provides advanced
solutions for a wide range of ready-meals. It enables the manufacturer to
fill and pack any ready-meal composition such as vegetarian, Italian or
French courses. Hera’s competitive edge lies in its quick set-up time
between different products and different trays as well as diverse
capabilities of filling and packing. It also saves set-up time significantly
while switching between products or trays.
“Manufacturers want an easy-to-use machine with infinite ready-meal
possibilities; we fulfill their request by developing a high-value conveyor
that addresses the needs of the manufacturers for versatility in creating a
varied range of products,” explains Oded Shtemer, CEO of Hefestus. “With
Hera, you can control important parameters such as numerous filler and stop
stations to make a wide range of ready-meals. Manufacturers can create and
change their product composition easily and thus respond to quick changes in
the marketplace.”
Hera is ideal for sealing two trays at a time, therefore doubling the
manufacturer's production rate. It is compactly designed to optimize
production floor space, while allocating comfortable work stations for line
operators. It is also easy to clean and can increase the production rate
significantly while saving production costs.
Manufacturers are developing ‘homemade’ style food and healthy ready-meals
using fresh and local ingredients. The demand for freshness together with
trends in healthy ready-meals increases the need for longer shelf-life.
Hefestus’s patented method of sealing trays with modified atmosphere (MAP
technology) SLB™ extends shelf-life without using synthetic preservatives or
freezing.
Hefestus is a developer and manufacturer of top sealing packaging machines.
Hefestus specializes in supplying unique and complete packaging solutions
for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It provides a wide
variety of standard and custom-made machines, from manual to fully automatic
lines, to meet the complex packaging requirements of processors and
consumers alike.
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 Crown
Conveyors dispel common myths regarding conveyors
Contrary to popular belief not everyone in
the industry understands conveyors let alone the terminology.
So to dispel common
myths regarding conveyors and to give a better understanding of conveyors
Crown Conveyors have put together four news letters covering aspects of
conveyors in layman's terms.
This month - August - we are looking at
Medium size conveyor systems
All of these conveyors are available from
Crown Conveyors.
These will arrive in your inbox once a month, however if you miss one go to
www.pack-plus.co.uk and you
can retrieve it from there or e-mail
tarahawker@crownconveyors.com with your e-mail address and which
newsletter you require and it will be sent to you.
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Domino Ensures Quality Traceability from Cow to Retailer’s Shelf
 Friesland
Foods, one of the largest dairy companies in the world, has made
considerable improvements to the quality and reliability of its track and
trace process through the installation of Domino technology. Seamlessly
integrated into Friesland Food’s drink packaging production line, Domino’s
A-Series continuous ink jet printers and C-Series outer case coders ensure
secure product tracking from the farm through to the retailer’s shelf. In
addition, the versatility of the Domino technology has enabled Friesland
Foods to introduce creative marketing promotions at no extra cost.
 In
the search for a new, reliable and cost-effective coding solution, Friesland
Foods purchased ten Domino A400 and eight A200 printers, having been
impressed by Domino’s proven ability and experience in the installation of a
number of similar applications. According to Production Manager Ludger Ketz,
“discussions with reference customers at different affiliate companies of
the Friesland Foods Group, all of which responded with positive feedback,
were what convinced us that Domino would prove a reliable partner.”
As well as offering a fast, high quality printing solution for best before
dates and batch or line numbers, the flexibility of the Domino A-Series
proved an added bonus for Friesland Foods in marking the 75th anniversary of
its popular Dutch Chocomel brand. When the company’s marketing team
conceived a creative idea for running a lucky number lottery, they were able
to execute the promotion using Domino systems already on site at the
company’s subsidiary in Kalkar, Germany, without incurring any additional
costs.
 A
sophisticated Windows-based Domino Editor GT controller, capable of
processing high quantities of variable codes, managed an A200 to print
unique numbers directly on to the Chocomel cartons, providing a cost
effective solution. Consumers were asked to send the lottery number to a
dedicated number via text message and were immediately notified if they had
won a prize.
Providing further proof of its flexibility the A-Series, the world’s best
selling continuous ink jet printer, has also been installed for Friesland
Foods as a customised dual head system to meet market requirements for more
than four lines of print.
Friesland Foods also chose Domino to supply a solution for printing variable
data including line number, production date and sell-by date on outer cases.
The decision to equip seven production lines with Domino C100 high
resolution large character printers was influenced further by the sealed ink
container which is ideal for use in hygienic environments, which are so
vital for the dairy industry. The high resolution and clear print quality
provided by the C100 ensures optimal legibility and guarantees a secure
track and trace solution.
As an alternative to purchasing the systems, Friesland Foods has taken
advantage of Domino’s ‘Relax’ package, a pay-per-code solution with a
contract period of five years, which has proved economically beneficial to
Friesland Foods. Within this package, Domino not only takes care of the
printer installation, it also organises and carries out maintenance work,
and handles requirements planning for consumable materials for the customer.
This, in turn, speeds up processes, cuts storage capacity requirements and
allows the customer the option to exchange, expand or upgrade the existing
systems. Mr.Ketz says that this option was particularly appealing as “it
guaranteed costs while maximising availability of printers throughout the
contract period. On top of that, we always have access to state-of-the-art
coding equipment.”
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Meech China Shows A Host of Static Solutions at Packaging 2008. Beijing
Meech International will be showing its new Model 992v3 Static Generator
amongst a host of static control solutions on stand W2 - 4409 at Packaging
2008, Bejing. As well as showcasing new products, Meech will demonstrate
how its products can help improve efficiency and ultimately profitability
for companies within the packaging industry. Meech is also looking to
expand its operations in North China and is happy to talk to any
prospective distributors for its comprehensive range of static control
solutions.
 The
new Model 992v3 Static Generator can be operated to generate a controlled
level of static charge that will create a temporary bond between
materials. This allows the performance of the Model 992v3 to be optimised
for a variety of applications and a diverse range of materials, resulting
in maximum pinning effect without the risk of overload. For large-scale
applications, multiple generator bars can be connected and an internal
switch mode power supply accommodates different input voltages and
frequencies.
Two of Meech's best-selling, core products for the packaging and plastics
processing industries will also be on show - the 915 AC system and the 976
Pulsed DC system. The Model 915 has been designed to provide powerful and
intense ion production. It has very fast decay times which means it is
even more effective at faster web speeds. It can be fitted at distances up
to 150mm and with its slim profile, it offers both flexibility and
versatility in positioning. It has also been designed with an easy wipe
casing to give sustained performance and reduced downtime, as well as ease
of maintenance.
The Meech Model 976 is a versatile, shockless Pulsed DC ionising bar.
Displaying all the features of ease of use and maintenance of other Meech
products, the Model 976 provides highly effective long-range ionisation up
to distances of 1000mm. Both these well-established products are installed
in plants throughout the world to help solve static problems in
applications such as vertical form fill and sealing, bottle labelling and,
more recently, RFID and security tag processing.
Members of the Meech International team will be present to answer any
questions that visitors might have on the subject of static control.
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NATUREFLEX™ Part
of Packaging First Down Under
 Innovia
Films’ biodegradable, compostable and flexible packaging material,
NatureFlex™ is an integral part of a packaging first for an Australian
gingerbread biscuit producer.
Based in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Gingerbread Folk is the
brainchild of former architect, turned biscuit-maker, Karen Sharman and
her husband, Dominic Mason. Two years ago they decided to make their
gingerbread business as sustainable as possible from the sourcing of the
ingredients through to the packaging.
The NatureFlex™ pack used for the Gingerbread Folk range of biscuits is
the first of its kind in Australia to be certified compostable and carries
the ‘seedling’ logo to confirm this. To be certified the material must
undergo a stringent test regime, carried out by independent accredited
laboratories only, in order to confirm that their inclusion will have no
negative effect on soil or compost quality.
NatureFlex™ was an obvious solution for the packaging as the film begins
life as a natural product – wood and breaks down in a home compost bin (or
industrial compost environment) within a matter of weeks – yet also offers
advantages for packing and converting such as inherent deadfold and
anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease
and oil, good barrier to gases and aromas and a wide heat-seal range.
Outlining why Gingerbread Folk opted for NatureFlex™, Karen said, "We were
looking for environmentally sound packaging to compliment our all natural
gingerbread and ethical business philosophy. We tried many films but loved
the look and feel of NatureFlex™ and found the material's properties the
most suitable for our purposes. The key factor was home-compostability
because we wanted to show the Australian public that it was OK to put
these bags in their own home compost bins."
All NatureFlex™ films are cellulose based, derived from renewable wood
pulp and are certified to meet both the European EN13432 and American ASTM
D6400 standards for compostable packaging. The wood-pulp is sourced from
managed plantations from referenced suppliers operating Good Forestry
principals (FSC or equivalent). NatureFlex™ films typically have a
renewable biobased content of some 95% by weight of material.
Packsys, an Australian based company, is the converter of the NatureFlex™
film in this application and achieved the certified compostable status for
the Gingerbread Folk pack. Clive Jacobs of Packsys said, “Being one of the
first Australasian companies to achieve the DinCertco certification shows
our commitment to compostable packaging. As a plastic packaging converter
we have an obligation and responsibility to promote and advise our
customers of the compostable and sustainable substrates available.
NatureFlex™ out of all the available materials suits itself extremely well
to automated production like flow-wrapping or bag making. The material
requires very little machine adjustment and can run in harmony with
conventional materials through the same machine. NatureFlex™ is also a
very easy material to print and convert. Speeds are not reduced so
conversion costs remain on par with other substrates.”
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TNA Displays ROFLO® 3 and ROBAG® 3 with “KANGA JAW ”at PPMA SHOW 2008
 tna,
supplier of turn-key, integrated packaging and processing solutions for
food production companies worldwide, will display several new technologies
at the PPMA Show, 30 Sept – 2 Oct, at NEC in Birmingham, UK, Stand E71
which include: the new robag® 3 vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) bagger
integrated with “kanga jaw” technology and a tna Delta 514 scale, the new
roflo® 3 with “switcheroo” technology, and a robag® 3 fx 180 rotary triple
jaw VFFS bagger, integrated with a tna Delta 314 scale.
The new generation robag® 3 combines high speeds with even faster batch
changeover abilities and a broader choice of bag formats. tna’s robag® 3
with new “kanga jaw” technology to create high quality gusset bags, allows
producers the flexibility of creating new bag formats on any robag® 3
machine without investing in new bagging machinery.
The roflo® 3 is the world’s first totally reversible, gateless transfer
and distribution system. A production system that would normally require a
series of dedicated lines with multiple products can now be serviced by
one roflo® 3 system. Using servo-driven, linear motion and modular
components, the roflo® 3’s conveying speed and direction are controlled
electronically on a touch key pad. Coined “switcheroo” technology, roflo®
3’s bi-directional feed allows its stainless steel pans to be tilted or
raised up and down to accommodate one or several lines and various
configurations. See video:
http://dca-dcpr.com/video/tna/roflo.html
tna’s robag® 3 fx 180 rotary triple jaw VFFS bagger is designed to offer
maximum speeds and is ideal for high density snacks and confectionery
products – reaching speeds up to 300BPM. robag® 3 fx, 180 RTJ has four
servo drive motors to provide more flexibility of control and more control
of operation. tna has maximized the performance of this system by fine
tuning the product transfer to the bag maker. Specifically shaped chutes
are used to compactly concentrate the product to ensure less string out
and increase speeds. Its ability to package even the most fragile of
products at high speeds is unbeatable. Integrated with tna’s Delta 314
scale for complete accuracy and precision, bags come off the line true to
size.
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 PACK
EXPO International Goes Green
Upcoming Event to Address Sustainability from Multiple Angles
With approximately half of U.S. consumers considering at least one
sustainability factor in selecting packaged goods items or stores to shop
(Source: Information Resources, Inc.), sustainability has gone from just
being a buzzword in the packaging industry to an essential part of today’s
corporate strategy.
Professionals needing guidance on how to apply sustainable packaging
initiatives to their businesses need to look no further than PACK EXPO
International 2008, Nov. 9–13 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Show attendees will find an array of sustainability-oriented innovations
among the show’s 2,000+ exhibitors. The featured technologies, ranging
from bioplastics, polylactic acid (PLA) films and other sustainable
packaging materials to energy-efficient machinery and lean production
solutions, will address several key issues including source reduction,
minimization of greenhouse gas emissions and waste and rising levels of
recycling and recycled content.
Introducing PACK EXPO Green
To help attendees easily identify exhibitors highlighting sustainable
solutions, PMMI is introducing PACK EXPO Green. Special icons will be used
to flag listings on
www.packexpo.com in the compact
Pocket Guide Directory available on site at PACK EXPO and in participating
exhibitors’ booths.
For attendees using My PACK EXPO™ to pre-plan their trip, a new search
function will reveal exhibiting companies that offer sustainable and/or
environmentally-friendly technologies. Special booth signage will make it
simple finding the exhibitors on site.
Think Green
The sustainability theme will also carry over to the Conference at PACK
EXPO (Nov. 10–12). A sustainability track will be featured as part of each
day’s program schedule, exposing attendees to various dimensions of
sustainability including conservation, lightweighting, plant operations
and insight from the brand owner perspective.
Each of the conference’s keynote sessions will also address sustainability
— beginning with a special address by Amy Zettlemoyer-Lazar, Packaging
Director of Sam’s Club and Co-Manager of the Wal-Mart Sustainability Value
Network:
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Sunday, Nov. 9, 1:00 pm: In a
standalone session, “Keeping Score: How Wal-Mart and its Suppliers
Continue to Advance Packaging Change, Innovation and Sustainability,”
Zettlemoyer-Lazar will provide an update on the progress of the Wal-Mart
sustainability scorecard and the next steps in its evolution.
Additionally, Wal-Mart will staff a Wal-Mart Sustainability Scorecard
Information Center during the run of the show.
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Monday, November 10, 10:10 am: Betsy
Cohen, vice president of sustainability at Nestlé, will present “More
Safety vs. Less Material? Where Does Packaging Go?,” addressing the
challenges, conflicts and competing values packaging professionals must
balance every day.
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Tuesday, Nov. 11, 10:10 am: Trevor
Cusworth, director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, will deliver Tuesday’s
keynote speech. His presentation on “Sustainability in Manufacturing: From
Boardroom to Break Room” will use real-life case studies to highlight and
demonstrate sustainable operations practices and will identify immediate
actions that can improve the sustainability of manufacturing operations as
well as longer-term actions such as designing and installing new lines and
equipment.
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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 10:10 am: Glenn
A. Wright, commercial vice president, North American Basic Plastics at The
Dow Chemical Company, will lead the conference’s final keynote session.
Wright’s speech, “Packaging is Part of the Solution, Not the Problem,”
will explore the positive environmental, social and economic impacts of
packaging and highlight real benefits that often go unnoticed. Consumer
and industry data featured in this session will prove how packaging
contributes to sustainability and that, when accompanied by education and
industry collaboration, will not only benefit the environment, but
strengthen brand promise as well.
“We’re very pleased to offer PACK EXPO International attendees
opportunities to discover how they can improve their operations to achieve
sustainability goals,” says Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI.
“PMMI is committed to adding value to its events by focusing on issues
that are at the forefront of our industry. Sustainability is top of mind
with packaging professionals around the globe, and we felt it was
essential to make the topic an integral part of PACK EXPO International
2008.”
Attendees can register for keynote sessions along with other conference
sessions at
www.packexpo.com
PMMI: Green is Good
To complement all of the sustainable solutions being discussed on the show
floor and in conference sessions, PMMI is taking steps towards making PACK
EXPO one of the greenest trade shows in the industry. Among the many
activities aimed at reducing energy and waste:
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Free METRA commuter rail passes for
attendees and exhibitors
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Replacing detailed printed show directories
with the more compact Pocket Guide Directory
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Providing collection bins for paper waste
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Recycling badge holders
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Using “Green Seal” approved cleaning
products and restroom supplies made from 100 percent post
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consumer waste.
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Recycled pallet program
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Power-down policy for non-show hours
“As the organizer of one of the world’s
largest trade shows, we feel it’s important to take a proactive role when
it comes to protecting the environment,” says Yuska. “By working with our
exhibitors, we’ll be able to offer a range of voluntary programs that both
exhibitors and attendees can participate in — and feel good about.”
PACK EXPO International 2008 registration is available online at
www.packexpo.com, where attendees can also register for the entire
Conference at PACK EXPO program. Show registration is $30 and conference
sessions are $55 each through Oct. 21, 2008. After Oct. 21 (including on
site) PACK EXPO registration increases to $60 and conference sessions to
$75 each. Registration for the exhibits at PACK EXPO International 2008 is
required in order to register for conference program sessions.
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 Get
a Grip
The UK launch of Tsubaki’s new ‘Gripper’ chain solution for thermoforming
packaging machines, will be at PPMA show on 30th September 2008.
Tsubaki will formally launch a new range of ‘gripper’ chains for
thermoforming in various sectors including food, electrical and medical
packaging at the 2008 PPMA show. Whereas conventional gripping attachments
often open vertically, Tsubaki’s range opens to the side as well which
provides a larger opening preventing jams and making loading easier. This
innovative solution is available with many variations of transmission
chain, including Tsubaki’s unique Lambda lube-free chain. Offering
extended chain life and minimal maintenance Tsubaki’s gripper chain offers
a fresh, new option for thermoforming.
Tsubaki, a world leading manufacturer of drive & attachment chains, has
developed the new advanced design of gripper chain to provide an ideal
solution for form, fill and vacuum sealing wrapping applications. Other
attachment designs have inherent problems such as being prone to breakages
or not gripping the film correctly. Tsubaki has produced an attachment
that has superior wear characteristics and ‘cams’ open creating a far
wider aperture which prevents jamming and unsuccessful loading.
The Tsubaki design incorporates a coil spring with a square section
profile; the gripper surface area and spring are larger and so less prone
to breakage. The reason other attachment types do not always grip the film
properly is that in the case where the gripping attachment will only open
and close vertically, it creates a narrow opening. Tsubaki’s ‘gripper’
mechanism opens vertically then sideways improving the engagement of the
film and reducing possible jamming.
 There
are a range of available options to ensure that almost any customer needs
can be met. Tsubaki holds the two most common chain sizes in stock
although almost any size is available through the made-to-order option.
The chains are produced with a hard wearing protective nickel plated
finish as standard, suitable for general use in temperatures ranging from
-10°C to 150°C.
Other options are available which include stainless steel chains for
applications that will be subjected to aggressive wash downs or where
acidic products are in use. Tsubaki can also supply the ‘gripper’
attachment within a Lambda chain. This is a self-lubricating chain which
reduces maintenance needs; i.e. it does not require any lubrication, and
is ideal where the risk of product contamination or marking by external
lubricant is an issue.
The chains can be used in a range of applications from food packaging to
the packaging of medical supplies. Tsubaki believes it is important to
recognise each client’s individual requirements and to fully understand
their needs in order to provide an ideal solution, offering different
chain types and lubrication options, including USDA H1 approved food grade
lubrication. Within these industries, Tsubaki hopes to quickly establish
the advantages offered by this improved design and product specification.
Visit Tsubaki during the show at stand E61.
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 Food
hoses that lighten the load
Innovative rubber hoses crop up everywhere in the food industry.
Whether used for transferring milk from farm to factory, for washing
down food production areas or for filling barrels with wine,
food-use hoses play a key role in the production of virtually
everything we eat or drink.
“Food transfer hoses are specific to their uses,” explains Bernard
Lambert, Manager of the Performance Hoses Product Group section of
Trelleborg Industrial Hose, in Clermont-Ferrand, France. “There are
distinctions between hoses for fat-free or low fat products, such as
milk, and hoses for products containing fat, which range from olive
oil and other cooking oils to cream and require a different kind of
rubber,” he explains.
Ever keen to respond to the needs of the
market, Trelleborg is constantly developing its hoses and 2006 saw the
launch of Lactadial as an improvement to the Citerdial range for milk
collection. Milk trucks can make as many as 50 milk stops per day, which is
not a problem when they are equipped with automatic rollers to extend and
recoil the hoses. However, many drivers are obliged to manipulate the hoses
themselves, which can make for backbreaking work.
“Lactadial uses new polyesters inside the hose
instead of the heavy metal reinforcements used in Citerdial,” explains
Christine Dhiersat, Product Manager for performance hoses. “This not only
makes it 20 percent lighter, but offers much better resistance to fatigue,”
she adds.
“Once people try Lactadial, they have a lot of
trouble going back to the old hose,” adds Lambert. “It costs a little bit
more, but feedback from our customers shows it clearly justifies spending
the extra money,” he continues.
Launched in early 2007, the most recent hose
developed by Trelleborg is called Vinitrel, which looks set to take the wine
industry by storm. “Wineries are often narrow with many corners, and we are
in direct competition here with PVC hoses, which are lighter and slide
easily across the floor,” says Dhiersat.
“Vinitrel is not lighter, but has a special
polymer coating enabling it to slide effortlessly across the floor,” says
Lambert. The hose has been so successful that sales outstripped forecast
threefold in 2007. And with wines like Château Mouton-Rothschild, Château
Margaux and Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape already seeing the inside of
a Vinitrel hose, Trelleborg is proud to be part of the wine industry.
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