Oerlikon introduced its cutting-edge innovations at K 2022
The focus of the K 2022 trade fair days was on topics such as reducing CO2 emissions, avoiding waste, energy efficiency and the continual expansion of the circular economy.
The Swiss Oerlikon Group’s Polymer Processing Solutions division presented itself at the K 2022 under the banner of ‘Feel the Flow. Keep Control’. The leading international trade fair took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, between October 19 and 26 this year, with around 200,000 visitors. Innovative solutions and technologies concentrating on such topics as raw material preparation based on modern polycondensation and extrusion systems, the latest recycling technologies, efficient hot runner systems, innovative coating solutions, sustainable manufacturing processes for filtration applications and high-quality gear metering pumps. Oerlikon’s team of experts were present at Stand D10 in Hall 1.
Today, innovation no longer means producing ever faster and ever more, but also producing sustainably. The focus of the eight K 2022 trade fair days was on topics such as reducing CO2 emissions, avoiding waste, energy efficiency and the continual expansion of the circular economy.
Climate neutrality, circular economy and digitalisation – the focal topics of the K 2022
“We see our technology solutions as enablers of a better world”, states Georg Stausberg, CEO, Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions division and CSO of the Oerlikon Group. “In the polymer processing industry, we have to come to a sustainable, closed circular economy for packaging materials and textiles, for example, while simultaneously intensively expanding the recycling of the materials used. With our current technologies and our future innovations, we support manufacturers along the entire process chain in achieving their own sustainability targets.”
From polycondensation, extrusion and pumps all the way through to hot runner systems
High-quality melt has a direct impact on the end product. It forms the basis for high-end bottle, film and fibre polyester. The efficient, high-quality Oerlikon Barmag Huitong Engineering continuous polycondensation systems produce homogeneous melt by means of a chemical reaction during which different monomers are joined together to create polymers. The benefits of having your own polycondensation system: non-reliance on external granulate manufacturers, offsetting of short-term raw material market price fluctuations and direct influence on the polymer quality. Topics that the Oerlikon polymer experts would like to discuss in person with visitors at the K 2022. These also include the new application possibilities for processing new, sustainable materials.
Numerous exhibits and virtual experiences
On the occasion of the K 2022, Oerlikon Barmag showcased eccentric screw pumps for conveying highly-filled, high-viscosity and abrasive media. Furthermore, there was also a new pump for conveying high-viscosity, shear-sensitive materials such as adhesives and silicones. Using virtual reality glasses, visitors were able to delve into the pumps themselves.
Technologies for manufacturing nonwovens and sustainable filtration applications
The Oerlikon Nonwoven meltblown process can be used to manufacture nonwovens made from classical virgin elastomer-based and bio-based raw materials, including PLA and TPU products with recycled content. With its hycuTEC hydro-charging solution, Oerlikon Nonwoven also presented its new technology for charging nonwovens, which increases filter efficiency to more than 99.99% with simultaneous material savings of up to 30%. hycuTEC enables considerably lower water and energy consumption, as this system allows an additional drying process to be dispensed with in the case of many applications.
Diverse accompanying program: presentation series and open-house event
In addition to product and technology innovations, Oerlikon offered a diverse accompanying program at the K 2022:
· Visitors to the stand were shown the company’s total solutions offering in an audiovisual 4D experience: in a 15-minute simulator flight, attendees – were taken on an exciting journey into the future of a sustainable circular economy with technology solutions from the Oerlikon Group.
· Thanks to the trade fair’s close proximity to the Oerlikon Barmag site in Remscheid, existing and potential customers were also offered an insight into the world’s largest manmade fibre R&D Centre. They could watch how PET waste was processed into high-quality recycled yarn at the BBEngineering Recycling Technology Centre.
· And there were numerous presentations on current topics taking place daily at the Oerlikon trade fair stand D10 in Hall 1: these include a report from Oerlikon HRSflow, ENGEL and Borealis on a joint project for a digital process twin project.
· Furthermore, Oerlikon technology also showcased at the stands of numerous partners throughout the trade fairs grounds.
About the Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions division
With its Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag, Oerlikon Nonwoven and Oerlikon HRSflow brands, the Oerlikon Polymer Processing division focuses on manmade fibres plant engineering and flow control equipment solutions. Oerlikon is one of the leading providers of manmade fibre filament spinning systems, texturing machines, BCF systems, staple fibre systems and solutions for the production of nonwovens and – as a service provider – offers engineering solutions for the entire textile value added chain. Furthermore, Oerlikon offers a range of a high-precision flow control solutions. This currently includes a large selection of gear metering pumps for the textile and other sectors such as automobile construction, the chemical industry and the dyes and lacquers industry. With Oerlikon HRSflow, the division develops innovative hot runner systems for the polymer processing industry. In collaboration with Oerlikon Balzers, it offers highly-efficient, effective coating solutions from a single source.
