The KCC 10 D blow moulder is designed for the production of clear bottles made from polypropylene resin and is therefore particularly well suited to products such as shampoo and shower gel.
High demand for clear bottles
Clear bottles are currently in great demand, according to Kautex, because their overall appearance and feel is attractive and engravings and embossing look better.
Beyond having the right resin, Kautex claims the right blow moulding equipment is necessary to achieve such a cherished unclouded result.
The new KCC 10 D blow moulder is marketed on its ability to help packaging firms on their quest to clearer bottles in an economical and energy efficient manner.
The double-station machine is described as “a true all-rounder” among the shuttle blow molding machines.
Specification of new equipment
Up to fourteen bottles of 50ml capacity can be produced in a single blowing process. On the other end of the scale, up to two 5-litre cans may be manufactured.
Comparing the new machine to previous models, a spokesperson from Kautex said: “After a couple of successful years a facelift seemed appropriate. Then the stroke was slightly enlarged, the clamp force increased from 100 to 120 kN (10 to 12 tonnes) and the hard and software of the BlowCommand machine controls was upgraded.”
To make the equipment more energy efficient the company also added energy efficient AC drives for the extruder drives.
As well as keeping a close eye on energy use, Kautex said the company is also making other environmentally-friendly moves.
Blow molding with bio-plastics
In particular, Kautex is looking at green materials. A spokesperson said: “We are watching developments on the resin market, especially with a view to the bio-plastics that are becoming available and competitive now.
“One of the first extrusion blow moulded PHA bottles for a shampoo application in the mid 1990’s was blown on a Kautex blow molding machine. We are prepared. Our machinery can process these resins.”
Kautex Maschinenbau is a specialist in extrusion blow moulding and will be presenting its new KCC 10 D blow moulder for the first time at the Chinaplas exhibition in Guangzhou in May.