Brampton Engineering Inc. (Booth N5533) sold its first North American installation of its AquaFrost film system, to Packall Packaging Inc. of Brampton, Ontario.
``We're talking to several others'' in North America, said Brampton President and Chief Executive Officer Bud Smith in a June 19 interview at NPE 2006 in Chicago. The film machinery company announced the sale at NPE.
AquaFrost relies on water to cool blown film quickly. The system provides high throughput - comparable to cast film rates - high clarity and gloss, and exceptional softness, according to Brampton. Unlike cast film cooled by chill rollers, AquaFrost film's strength is balanced in all directions. It generates no waste and trim, provides a high barrier and resists puncture, especially for frozen food, the company said.
``We have customers who are waiting to buy this film with its unmatched clarity, properties and product performance,'' said Packall President Henry Ciszewski in a news release. Packall already had purchased three more- conventional Brampton Engineering film lines, Smith said.
Packall plans to start its new nine-layer line in October. Officials did not disclose the cost of the complete line, but Smith said capital costs are quickly recouped by high throughput rates and savings on scrap.
Smith said the downward blown water-quenched process uses as much as 50 percent less floor space than a cast line and as much as 15 percent less scrap than a cast line.
Smith conceded the AquaFrost concept is not new. He said some processors quietly have built similar systems for their own use. Brampton Engineering has spent several years developing its version and now has sold eight lines around the world.
The Brampton-based equipment supplier said customers have run as many as 10 film layers on AquaFrost. Some have been running polypropylene film. Less-expensive nylon barrier layers can be used for even more savings. The technology is particularly well-suited to making thermoforming film.