FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE: - NZIFST - The New Zealand Institute of ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

PackagingAmcor has used vacuum conveying technology on its new can lineNew Aluminium can line at WiriAnne Scott, MNZIFSTAmcor Australasia has invested $40 million in its Wiri plant todouble production and bring new capability to the local beveragemarket.The installation of the new line gives New Zealand beverage producersaccess to innovative beverage can technologies not previously availablehere. These include an eight colour print process, increased embossingcapabilities and the addition of the 500ml can size to the range.“State-of-the-art technology at the new plant will also provide greaterproduction volumes and speeds, enabling cans to be produced and deliveredfaster than ever before. With enhanced printing capabilities andhigh quality graphics, products will offer originality and product breakthroughfor our New Zealand customers,” said Nigel Garrard, ManagingDirector of Amcor Australasia at the recent opening function.The Wiri site currently produces around 300 million aluminium cans ayear, accounting for around 70% of New Zealand’s beverage can production,and employs 77 co-workers. Production capacity is expectedto double when the new line becomes fully operational, which maylead to additional local employment opportunities over time. Amcorare pleased to offer local production of Amcor’s entire range of bever-age cans which reduces environmental impacts associated with importingfrom off shore. They believe that ongoing access to the localproduction team at Wiri is a distinct benefit for customers.Commenting more broadly on the future of the manufacturing sector,Mr Garrard added that investment in innovation was critical to achievingthe productivity improvements that the packaging sector needs.“Delivering globally-competitive capabilities more efficiently to NewZealand beverage customers will help them continue to drive innovationand stay ahead of their local and global competitors,” he added.Developments at WiriAmcor’s Wiri beverage can plant has seen a number of product additionsover the years. The large 500ml can is the newest addition to therange which now includes a broad variety of cans to suit product andmarket.The new production facility is set to revolutionise the way Amcor makeand decorate cans. The eight-colour process for can printing offers clientsthe flexibility to tailor the colours and inks used in the productdesign process and increased embossing capabilities are available tofurther enhance pack design.24Food New Zealand
PackagingAbout aluminium beverage cansAluminium has been used for beverage cans since 1960, initially for frozen juiceconcentrate. Reynolds Metals Co, now part of Pittsburgh-based Alcoa, made inroadsinto the marketplace with its easy-open aluminium can lids in 1961. Thisaccelerated the development and commercial use of aluminium cans for the beerand soft drink markets. By 1963, 12 fluid ounce aluminium beverage cans werebeginning to be produced in larger quantities and in 1967 that volume grew significantlywhen Coca Cola and Pepsi converted to aluminium cans.In the 1990’s the growth of demand for aluminium cans began to slow with PETand glass both building market share. However, in the last decade the success ofenergy drinks in aluminium cans has served to rebuild the market.Within the past decade, the wall thickness of the can has been reducedso considerably that its metal content has been cut in half,while end diameter has been reduced as a means of reducingthe cost of the overall container.The Japanese have introduced an aluminium bottle,known as the bottlecan - and it has been very successfulin that country. Consumers in Japan have embraced itbecause it is resealable (and resealability has been one ofthe major advantages of PET bottles over the aluminiumcan).The aluminium bottle was first invented about 20 yearsago. But that was a three piece bottle while today’s technologyallows for a two piece bottle.The aluminium can is the fastest chilling beverage containerand is very effective at maintaining the fizz of thebeverage until it is opened. Other advantages includestackability, cost, filling speed, the ability to advertise directlyon the can and more efficient use of shelf space.Also, aluminium cans contain significant (70%) recycledcontent, which is much more than any other beveragecontainer material. PET bottles, for example only useabout 10% recycled content, he said, although there aremoves to increase the recycled content of plastic bottles.Can makingprocessesThe aluminium beverage can consistsof two pieces — the can bodyand the can end (or lid).Aluminium sheet metal is suppliedin rolls, which are unrolled onto aflat conveyor. First step in the processis lubricating the rolling sheetof metal with a thin film of watersolublelubricant on both sides ofthe aluminium sheet. Lubricationallows the metal to flow smoothlyover the tooling surfaces during theforming processes that follow.Metal forming begins in a machinecalled a cupping press. Thepress cuts circular discs from thealuminium sheet and forms theminto cups. The cups drop from thepress onto the cup conveyor. Thesetwo metal-forming operations arecalled “blank and draw” and areperformed at speeds ranging from2,500 to 3,750 cups per minute.The scrap (or skeleton) aluminiumleft over from these operations isremoved from the production linefor recycling.The cup conveyer moves the cupsto one of a series of bodymakerswhere the can is made. Eachbodymaker contains a tool calleda punch, which forms the shape ofthe can by forcing the cup througha series of progressively smallercircular ironing rings. This actionliterally draws the metal up the sidesof the punch, ironing it into a canbody. As the cup is forced throughthe rings, its diameter is reduced, itswalls are thinned and its height isincreased. At the end of the punchstroke, the bottom is formed intoa dome shape that strengthensthe bottom of the can. During thisprocess, referred to as wall ironing,the can must be lubricatedto reduce frictional heat. This is ahigh-speed process producing 1,500to 2,700 can bodies per minute. Thelubricant is constantly recirculatedthrough a filter and reused.Once released from the bodymaker,the top of the can is trimmed mechanicallyto a uniform height, andthe trimmed-off scrap is recycled.The can bodies are conveyedthrough a washer that removes theforming lubricants before the applicationof the outside decoration (orlabel) and inside protective coating.December 2011/January 2012 25
Page 6: FOOD SAFETYHACCPQualifiedCleaningFr
Page 10 and 11: F-FILESF-Files - Supporting the nex
Page 12 and 13: IN-BRIEFIn-BriefBooks For Africa -
Page 14 and 15: Tech BriefsTech BriefsDSI V 16 Plat
Page 16 and 17: Tech BriefsTaura pioneers ancientgr
Page 18 and 19: Traveller’s TaleSalami and sausag
Page 20 and 21: BusinessLife Cycle Management for N
Page 23: Businessagenda may find themselves
Page 28 and 29: Legal mattersCorcel benefits from a
Page 30 and 31: NZIFSTNew Professional membersThe I
Page 32 and 33: NZIFSTBranch NewsAucklandChristmas
Page 34 and 35: NZIFST CAREERS2011 NZMT Teacher Fel
Page 36 and 37: MIA NEWSMIA NewsExtra meat capacity
Page 38 and 39: MIA NEWSThe meat industry(and shipp
Page 40 and 41: UNDERGRADUATE WRITINGInnovating for
Page 42: EVENTSAustralasian Coursesand Confe

FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE: - NZIFST - The New Zealand Institute of ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?