Get in the Loop

W&H presented new machine technologies and packaging solutions for sustainable flexible packaging production at a very successful K 2022.

Windmöller & Hölscher, specialist for machinery in the flexible packaging market, presented new developments in three areas at K 2022: Efficient production, Circular Economy, and Digitization. The W&H slogan at K 2022, “Get in the Loop” and the infinity symbol illustrate the way these three topics influence each other and contribute to the success of sustainability.

“The K trade fair has proven itself as a meeting point for the industry, as a performance show and as an important point of contact with our customers,” says Peter Steinbeck, CEO of W&H. “Just like before the pandemic, we had visitors from all over the world at the W&H booth. With the live machine demonstrations three times a day, we reached several hundred visitors each time,” adds Dr. Sascha Witt, CSO of W&H. On four exhibition days, W&H hosted an in-house EXPO at its headquarters in Lengerich, where another 12 lines including extrusion, printing, and converting machinery were presented. Around 1,100 visitors from 83 countries traveled to Lengerich.

The highlight for trade fair visitors was the VAREX II blown film line in operation at the booth. The daily machine show in Düsseldorf featured live demonstrations of the new EASY2 Change assistance system, an autopilot for product changes. Compared to an experienced operator, the number of necessary clicks for a product change is reduced by more than 70% and the time needed is cut by more than half – and all that with the certainty that no errors are made. This is especially important for difficult products, for example containing recycled materials with varying qualities. After the end of the trade show, the line is now being delivered to the customer IsoFlex Packaging, a member of the Sigma Plastics Group in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

W&H also highlighted new packaging solutions ready for the Circular Economy: Six examples that are made for recycling and four solutions that use high percentages of recycled materials. All solutions have been extruded and printed with W&H lines and have been tested for their practicability with W&H sack making lines or with converting partners – proving that sustainable solutions with the required functionalities are possible today.

Highlights from W&H at K 2022 –

Read about all innovations at https://www.wh.group/int/en/company/k2022/

Circular Economy – Solutions ready for recycling

Recyclable pet food bags: W&H is showing two different approaches to this recyclable packaging solution, that is trending in the market: a blown film with a co-extruded EVOH barrier layer and one made with a functional barrier coating during the printing process.

Recyclable Coffee Pouch: A stretched MDO PE-film with an EVOH barrier layer combined with PE sealing film. With a total amount of only 2% EVOH this solution exceeds the current recycling regulations, while at the same time providing the barrier properties for oxygen and water vapor required for this kind of packaging.

Circular Economy – Solutions using recyclates

50% PCR Collation Shrink: All new collation shrink film with 50% postconsumer recycled material. It offers the same shrink values and mechanical properties as conventional, non-PCR recipes.

PE Valve Sack: All new film recipe with 30 % post-industrial material that displays similar mechanical properties as a conventionally produced film.

DIGITIZATION

EASY2 Change: The new EASY2 Change assistance system supports the operator during every necessary step of a product changeover saving time, waste, and resources.

RUBY App: The brand-new app for mobile production monitoring based on the IOT-System by W&H.

EFFICIENT PRODUCTION

MDO-PE in 2×1260 MM: W&H shows a new line set-up for MDO-PE producing 2×1260 mm net width with optimal film properties, increased output and bag-making efficiency. This solution shows that recyclable monomaterial solutions can be produced at highest efficiency.

FILMATIC II V: The new winder generation with best-in-class winding performance, easy operation and excellent safety standards. The start of the winding process is critical, therefore the surface winding from the beginning to the very end of the roll was improved.