ZHANGJIAGANG, China—Benecke Changshun Auto Trim, a joint venture between Benecke-Kaliko in Hanover, Germany, and the Chinese automotive company Jiangsu Changshun Group, have installed a production line for making interior films made of thermoplastic elastomers, based on thermoplastic olefins.
The additional capacity—an investment of about $9.7 million, including a new production hall and warehouse—is in response to the steady growth in China's automotive industry for the TPO films.
ProTec Polymer Processing GmbH of Bensheim, Germany, installed the entire production line, from silo to film extruder, for the operation at Jiangsu Changhsun's headquarters in Zhangjiagang. The line has continuous edge trimming, and feeds the trim scrap back into the extruder.
The twin-screw extruder is run underfed. Throughput is controlled by a Somos Gramix S9 gravimetric dosing and mixing system, fitted above the feeder. It can handle up to nine primary and secondary components in different ratios. Two of the ingredients can be regrind, separated for light and dark regrind types—and up to 50 percent regrind in the film.
The throughput can be up to 1,760 pounds an hour.