|
Schütz Plans to Continue Expanding its Position: with Innovative Products at Scanpack
From the container for AdBlue® to multilayer IBCs and plastic drums/substitutes for steel products
Selters / Gothenburg. Schütz GmbH & Co. KGaA from Selters (Germany), the world’s leading manufacturer of industrial transport packaging, is focussing on further expanding its position in northern Europe. At the international trade fair Scanpack 2006 (Hall C, Stand C 03:44) in Gothenborg, Schütz will be presenting an array of innovative new developments in transport containers (IBCs) and plastic drums.
“We can look confidently to the future in the light of our performance on the development front, Knut Pedersen comments with the fair just a few days away. “We do have to contend with a tough market environment,” says the general manager of Schütz Nordic, referring to price developments for raw materials, “but as the market leader, we also have the best opportunities.” Pedersen sees his target as clearly defined: “We will continue to focus on further expanding our position by introducing new products.”
Schütz has a world first in store for Gothenburg, where it will be exhibiting a brand-new IBC model that was only recently passed for serial production and is designed to meet the special transport, storage, filling and discharge needs of AdBlue®. With this innovative development, Schütz has responded to the car industry’s decision to introduce a new technology for diesel engines with a far lower level of harmful emissions. AdBlue® is a 32.5% urea solution – and an element in a new and separate emission after-treatment system. The IBC features some special design elements. The standard model has no discharge valve, but can be produced with an integrated DN 50 butterfly valve on demand. In addition to a filling opening with a blue screw cap (including automatic aeration and venting via a G2 valve and sealing cap), the IBC has an extra discharge opening in the middle of the lower-lying top plate. All conventional discharge systems can be connected to its S56 x 4 thread (for example, CDS1 discharge systems, Lutz pumps etc). The IBC guarantees maximum packaging purity. It stands for an enclosed system that is also included in the worldwide Schütz Ticket Service, which at the same time arranges for the collection of used IBCs free of charge and for their reconditioning.
The new transport container thus equally satisfies all the requirements of tomorrow’s users (carrying agents, filling stations, workshops, service stations) and the product specifications set out in norm 70070.
The basis for this remarkable innovative advance in IBCs and drums was the development of the Schütz security layer technology, a multilayer extrusion blow-moulding process (three and six layers) for the permanent extrusion of plastic containers (150 to 1,000 litres). This technology permits the processing in a single extrusion cycle of different functional materials to suit a given application. Here, Schütz focuses particularly on the substitution of conventional steel products, especially for use in the chemical and food industries.
The Schütz Ecobullk MX-EV-FDA is a fine example of an IBC. It not only features an EVOH permeation and gas barrier (eg, oxygen, nitrogen), but is also available with efficient light and UV protection – optionally in black or white – and so considerably extends the life of foods. The IBC satisfies all requirements of the Food and Drug Administration as well as all the usual EU provisions and is a true substitute for stainless steel containers – with the well-known IBC advantages.
Schütz will also be introducing an interesting new product in the IBC component line. In order to avoid corrosion damage near the discharge valve of the galvanised bottom plate – caused, for example, by the effects of acid or alkali or by sticky filling goods becoming encrusted – a special protective element made of plastic has been developed. It adapts precisely to the discharge geometry, safely covers the critical area and is easy to attach thanks to special fastenings on the grid. This all prevents corrosion. Even stubborn residues and contamination can be removed without any problem during reconditioning. Schütz naturally also offers the alternative of an entirely acid-resistant, 100% plastic pallet.
The highlight among the plastic drums is the new F1 tight-head drum. It was developed in close collaboration with Basell and provides excellent overall performance. The drum is made of the new multimodal polyethylene Histif 5431Z, which is produced using the innovative advanced-cascade process technology from Basell. All in all, its high im-pact strength at cold temperatures, greatly improved stacking-pressure resistance and tremendous resistance to stress cracking make the new drum a convincing proposition. Schütz conducted a series of successful cold drop tests from up to three metres, a sensational height for drums. An optimised top-plate geometry also provides greater protection for the two bungs.
A conductive version of the drum is also available for use in hazardous areas 1 and 2.
|
