Irplast and Brückner Maschinenbau with new simultaneous BOPP film line project
Italian IRPLAST and Brückner Maschinenbau signed a contract for the delivery of a new simultaneous LISIM® line for BOPP film production. The line is destined for the existing production site at Atessa, in Abruzzo, and will reach full operation at the end of 2025, adding a further 25,000 tonnes capacity for specialty BOPP films.
Back in 1999, IRPLAST was the first company in Europe in the packaging world to commission and operate a LISIM® simultaneous stretching line for BOPP. Since then, the company has put a lot of effort into the development of high-quality special LISIM® products, with unique properties that are firmly established in the market today. Now, 25 years later, the new investment aims to increase significantly the production of their specially designed films whose properties are not replicable on conventional stretching lines: High- as well as low-shrink films, high-value sleeve applications, retard film, isotropic films, or thermostable films – to name just a few.
Helmut Huber, Managing Director CSO Brückner Maschinenbau, emphasises the exceptional partnership: “A new joint simultaneous project after 25 years is something special. On the one hand, it shows that our LISIM® technology is still the measure of all things for special films. On the other hand, the fact that the line from 1999 is still running perfectly proves how durable our machines are. More sustainability is not really possible.”
Fausto Cosi, CEO of IRPLAST, says: “With Brückner we have a solid relationship and understanding. Their technology allows us to reach extremely high quality standards and facilitates our research to create innovative materials and products. With the new LISIM® line contract, we take together another big step forward to find new business opportunities in packaging by focalizing on energy saving and circular material management.”
About IRPLAST
IRPLAST is a leader in the production of bi-axially oriented polypropylene films using simultaneous stretching: printed wrap-around labels for bottles and containers, printed adhesive tapes and multipack solutions for the food & beverage, dairy, personal care and home care markets. The company exports over 75% of turnover, to 70 countries worldwide and employs over 380 people between the three highly automated factories in Atessa and Empoli.
Simultaneous systems stretch the film in both directions at the same time. Brückner’s LISIM® technology (Linear Motor Simultaneous Stretching) uses linear motors driving clips without any mechanical connections – that means a fast and flexible production (not least because of the variable stretching ratios in maschine direction) and at the same time less wear parts, low maintenance. Since 1998, several LISIM® production lines have been successfully in operation, providing ample proof of the excellent film properties and high reliability of this technology for various polymers (PP, PET, PA), numerous packaging and technical applications and diverse markets.