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Schütz Development Opens Up New Prospects for IBCs
Innovative products for a host of applications/Focus -on explosion protection and permeation problems
Selters / Düsseldorf. Schütz, the world market leader for IBCs, rings in a new era at Interpack, especially with regard to its intermediate bulk containers (IBCs). At the trade fair in Düsseldorf, the Westwald-based company is showing a host of newly developed products with a variety of present and prospective applications and thus not only underpinning its leading position on the international market, but also highlighting its important role as an innovator and solver of problems.
The security layer technology recently developed by Schütz is an extrusion blow-moulding process which makes it possible to produce IBC inner bottles with up to six layers. This involves the plasticisation of different functional materials in a continuous extrusion process. The result: the overall performance of the container is enhanced and new areas of application for transport containers are created.
The company’s new developments respond to demand which has become apparent in day-to-day business. They are therefore aimed, for example, at providing new solutions for IBCs in hazardous areas and/or focus on permeation problems.
The new Schütz Ecobulk MX-EX-EV features not only an EVOH permeation and oxygen barrier but also either a conductive (carbon-black) or an non-chargeable (translucent) outer layer. This IBC is therefore ideal for the transport and storage of non-polar filling goods with a flashpoint of <61° Celsius in ex-zones 1 and 2. It is also suit-able for aromatic compounds, perfumes, strong-smelling products, numerous chemicals and/or highly oxygen-sensitive transport media. The EVOH barrier provides reliable protection against the penetration or escape of oxygen, carbon dioxide and gases.
The new MX-EV container is also equipped with an EVOH barrier layer, though without electrostatic properties. It is optionally available with UV protection in black or white. The MX-EV-FDA version of this IBC holds certification in accordance with the food transport requirements of the Food and Drug Administration.
Up to now, stainless steel containers were virtually the only option for this field of application, so the impermeability to oxygen and gas of the Schütz container is now opening up absolutely new prospects for the transport in IBCs of liquid and paste-like foods and food raw materials.
Schütz also uses multilayer technology in the production of three-layer products. A prime example of this is the MX-EX, which is obtainable in an array of functional variants - for example, with an antistatic and translucent inner bottle as well as with an optional UV layer (white). It can also be supplied, according to customer specification, with a conductive inner bottle in carbon-black with four viewing stripes for level control or with completely black UV protection. The containers are ideal for transporting filling goods with a flashpoint of <61° Celsius as well for applications in ex-zones 1 and 2.
All products manufactured using the multilayer process carry a special quality label.
Schütz also treads new paths when it comes to components. This is highlighted by the Westerwald industrial packaging specialists’ development of a trendsetting composite pallet for the MX product line.
The amount of timber used in the four-way entry pallet has been reduced to a minimum for environmental reasons. In conformity with FAO/IPPC guidelines, the three wooden runners mounted underneath the steel feet of the bottom plate undergo special thermal treatment in order to satisfy the transport regulations for freight traffic in the USA and those of the Asia-Pacific markets.
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