Smith Corona unveils on-site nitrogen generation

Smith Corona has introduced an on-site gas generation system that will enable the company to produce its own nitrogen, an accomplishment typically only achievable by large-scale industries. This self-sufficient nitrogen production process will be used for curing silicone with UV technology, a method that the company prides itself on using. This process will be used on all coating lines, not just for specialty items. 

‘We're thrilled about the opportunity to enhance the quality and consistency of our products with this new system,’ said Patrick Mitchell, vice president of operations at Smith Corona. ‘By embracing this new method and generating our own nitrogen, we're revolutionizing label manufacturing while minimizing our environmental impact.’ 

As the largest user of UV cure silicones for label release in the pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) industry, Smith Corona required consistent nitrogen flow rates and extremely high purity levels for its UV process.  

To achieve this, the company sought solutions through Airgas, an Air Liquide company, a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, who initially supplied the company with liquid nitrogen. It was decided that co-locating a nitrogen gas generation system, called Floxal, at the facility was the best choice to ensure the highest quality cure and maintain complete transparency. 

Carl Kanner, the vice president of Smith Corona, said: ‘The Floxal system maximizes reliability and Smith Corona's ability to achieve 100 percent uptime on its UV curing systems, while the higher purity nitrogen will further enhance our product's quality.’ 

With the inclusion of a 50 ft distillation column, compressor and two 40 ft vaporizers, Smith Corona can scale its business requirements in a more efficient, dependable and productive manner. Additionally, the implementation of this innovative technique with these nitrogen tanks offers several sustainable benefits, including: 

• Reduced CO2 emissions by 40 to 50 percent through on-site production rather than daily truck deliveries of liquid nitrogen 

• Reduced safety concerns for transportation and handling of hazardous materials in addition to less truck traffic 

• Reduced energy consumption to obtain the same amount of nitrogen through an LIN assist system rather than the Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) system used with other label competitors 

In addition to these sustainable benefits, UV curing uses considerably less energy when compared to thermal cured systems which commonly burn natural gas. 

As Smith Corona moves forward in label manufacturing, this latest milestone signifies another bold step into the future. The company continues its unwavering pursuit of remaining a leader in the label industry through innovation, environmental responsibility and continued customer satisfaction.