PTi Formalizes Plans for “Dryer-less” Demonstration Line

Aurora IL – PTi announced today that it has finalized its plans for the installation of a full production scale ‘dryer-less’ HVTSE twin screw sheet extrusion system capable of running a variety of resins including post consumer and industrial PET at rates in excess of 2500 pph (1,130 kg/hr).

DryerLess PET

This process relies on Bandera’s patented High Vacuum Twin Screw Extruder (HVTSE) technology, which allows PET to be processed without the need for raw material drying and crystallizing. The HVTSE extruder de-volatilizes and de-moisturizes the material as part of the extrusion process. The twin-screw extruder will be teamed with downstream systems furnished by PTi, a global supplier of single-screw sheet extrusion systems, as part of a turnkey package. PTi will also provide its TITAN™ supervisory control system and UL approved electrical components for delivery throughout North America.
Dana Hanson, PTi President says “our total investment in facilities infrastructure and equipment is projected to exceed $ 3 million USD. Furthermore, this will be the only full scale ‘dryer-less’ twin screw sheet extrusion demonstration system available throughout North America. We want to provide our customers with the ability to run production scale trials using the HVTSE ‘dryer-less’ twin screw technology as oppose to having to scale up from a small lab scale pilot line that can often provide inaccurate estimations and unfavorable results. This completely eliminates the uncertainties associated with a scale-up from a small laboratory line. It will truly provide customers with a proof-of-production result.”

pet flake

Since announcing a strategic business alliance with Luigi Bandera of Italy to market the industry proven HVTSE technology in North America, the companies have been hard at work in the planning stages for this production scale demonstration line which will be up and running by the beginning of the New Year.
Short-term interest in the technology has surpassed even out most optimistic estimates. While we anticipated interest from companies looking to run post-consumer PET, the interest from companies’currently running PET production with mostly virgin or partial recycle content has been a pleasant surprise.
Energy savings are a tangible benefit. Compared to conventional and infrared drying processes, the total energy consumption using the HVTSE twin screw process reduces power requirements by as much as 35%. This figure plays most favorably in the pay-back calculations our customers have shared with us. The demonstration line will enhance our abilities to market the technology in North America, but we anticipate having several orders consummated by the time the demo-line is installed.
We could also envision companies buying blocks of machine production time, thus allowing them to have samples in the volume range sufficient for test marketing programs not normally associated with lab or pilot-scale equipment.
For more information regarding this demonstration system and our products and services please visit our web site at www.ptiextruders.com.
With headquarters in Aurora, IL, Processing Technologies International, LLC serves over 20 countries and is a global leader in high performance sheet extrusion machinery. Established in 1988, PTi continues to supply and service single screw extrusion equipment to industries producing packaging, construction, automotive, lawn & garden, office products, signs & displays, appliances and much more. Engineered to exact standards PTi systems offer an exceptional array of design features resulting in superior equipment performance.