Treofan to make major investment in film production

The 8.7m line has been specially designed for Treofan by Andritz for production of a highly differentiated portfolio of packaging and label films. It will allow the company to manufacture films with a wide range of thicknesses and densities.

The new asset is also set to provide a ‘quantum leap in terms of energy-efficiency’. Specific energy consumption, measured in kWh per kg of manufactured film, will be at least 20 percent below the existing local assets.

Neunkirchen was chosen for this major investment partly because its central European location allows for rapid continent-wide delivery.

Starting from mid-2015, Treofan aims for the plant to produce an annual quantity of around one billion sq m of film.

The line will feature five-layer extrusion to allow the production of films with a great variety of properties and makes it possible to structure films with exact precision, allowing special functionalities to be integrated directly into the film, such as eliminating the need for certain laminations.

The ability to quickly switch between products will also boost flexibility in manufacturing. Provisions for a possible extension of the plant and the addition of further process innovations and new products, including outside the food industry, have been built into the design.

Treofan chief executive officer Peter Vanacker said: ‘Together with Andritz, we have jointly developed a sophisticated overall concept spanning everything from raw material supply to a differentiated film portfolio.

‘The design also includes close integration with our innovation center on the same site. This approach ensures short distances between product development – including joint development with partners – and the end product. And it drives quality and efficiency.

‘All of this will ultimately benefit our customers.’

Construction work on the new building is set to begin this spring, and the equipment will be installed starting at the end of 2014. As the new line will occupy its own building, production at existing assets will continue without interruption, ensuring reliable deliveries on customer orders in the meantime.

‘The new production line is another step – and certainly not the last – in implementing our growth strategy of manufacturing sophisticated, complex film solutions characterized by innovation, quality and efficiency,’ said Vanacker.