May/June 2020
Industrial Packaging
BULKDISTRIBUTOR
13
Global flexi b2b
platform launched
Flexicon system
for bulk abrasives
digital platform for the flexitank and bulk
A container packaging industry is launching
from June this year.
Flexitank Finder has been created to provide
leading flexitank manufacturers with the opportunity
to reach out to the global shipping community in the
bulk liquid industry through a multichannel sales and
marketing approach.
Co-founder Horst Behm said the internet service is
“The first worldwide flexitank marketplace
platform”.
The goal is to offer the global marketplace a more
sophisticated and innovative way to source flexitanks
Special preventative measures during production are taken to ensure the IBCs comply
with the latest packaging safety requirements for sensitive hygiene products
and related products from around the world to serve
shippers, trading companies and bulk liquid
operators in the bulk container packaging industry.
“As the amount of liquids moved in flexitanks is
projected to grow significantly, a multisource supplier
strategy to safeguard an uninterrupted supply chain
becomes an ever more important aspect in the
procurement process for the buyers,” a statement
read. “We connect leading global brands of
flextitank manufacturers to the global bulk liquid
shipping community.”
www.flexitankfinder.com
Schütz supports BASF
‘Helping Hands’ initiative
Flexicon’s new sizing-dispensing system receives, scalps, stores and
dispenses abrasive materials on-demand, dust-free
new Flexicon sizing-dispensing system
A for abrasive materials receives, scalps,
stores and dispenses sand, rutile, zircon, and
other dense, abrasive materials on-demand,
free of dust.
Fed by a pneumatic conveying line, the system is
equipped with an integral cyclone that separates
incoming solids from the air stream. A rotary
airlock isolates the pneumatic system from
atmospheric pressure and meters material into a
vibratory sifter that discharges on-size particles
into a surge hopper.
With extended vertical sides, the surge hopper
stores up to 540 litres of material, enabling the
system’s flexible screw conveyor to dispense
material when needed, while reducing the
number of on-off cycles required for the
independent pneumatic delivery system to
replenish the hopper with material.
The enclosed 3m conveyor can handle a broad
range of free-flowing and non-free-flowing bulk
materials, from large particles to fine powders,
including products that pack and seize, with no
separation of blends.
As the metering screw rotates, it self-centres
within the conveyor tube, providing constant
clearance between itself and the tube wall,
minimising degradation of the material and wear
of the screw and tube. Since the screw is the only
moving part contacting material, maintenance is
greatly simplified.
The system is also offered with integral crushing
or grinding equipment for the reduction of oversized
masses received from upstream sources.
The hopper’s asymmetrical pyramid design with
steep side and back walls promotes flow to the
charging adapter, while a vent port on the hopper
lid provides a connection point for static or
vacuum dust containment options.
www.flexicon.co.uk
Chemical giant BASF has taken an nonbureaucratic
approach to the demand for
more disinfectant amid the Corona virus
pandemic and is providing disinfectant free
of charge to hospitals in the Rhein-Neckar
metropolitan region as part of its ‘Helping
Hands’ project.
Industrial packaging manufacturer Schütz
welcomed the project and is supporting its longstanding
customer by supplying every second IBC
for this project free of charge.
As hand disinfectant has not been part of BASF’s
product range in the past, all legal and technical
conditions had to be met at the temporary
production at the group’s main site in
Ludwigshafen.
Along with the necessary know-how, the
company also had some of the raw materials for
production, and sourced further materials
externally.
The IBCs supplied by Schütz comply with the
latest packaging safety requirements for sensitive
hygiene products. To facilitate the additional
capacities and ensure the necessary supply
security, production at the headquarters in Selters
began running at full speed on the weekends.
“With ‘Helping Hands’, we are implementing
another important project together in our longstanding
partnership with BASF. We are pleased to
be able to help,” said managing director Veit
Enders.
As an environmentally friendly bonus, the IBCs
are collected free of charge from end users by the
Schütz Ticket Service and recycled internally as
part of the sustainable reconditioning process.
The demand is so high that BASF is now
successively expanding its production and supply
scope: after initially supplying hospitals with
intensive care and ventilation facilities, the
disinfectants are now also being supplied to
medical practices. Depending on current daily
availability, BASF intends to roll out supplies
gradually to other areas of the health care system
in the Rhein-Neckar region.
www.schuetz.net
Greif closes La Palma
Greif is closing its plastics and fibre facility
in La Palma, California, USA.
The widespread and diverse economy
throughout California requires a more strategic
and dedicated approach to the unique business
dynamic. The fibre drum business will be
redirected and serviced from the Morgan Hill, CA
location and the plastic drum business from
Merced, CA.
Greif’s said its commitment to growth on the US
West Coast and customers remains strong.
Investments have been made to modernise and
expand capabilities at both of these two locations.
Morgan Hill will have the capability to make all
products previously made in La Palma, as well as
have increased capacity to service peak demands
during the harvesting season. Earlier this year, a
plastic blow moulding machine was installed in
Merced, and additional capacities will be brought
online to double production capacities from this
location.
Greif will communicate a comprehensive
transition plan to its customers to ensure orders
are filled as expeditiously as possible.
www.greif.com