Plastic container manufacturer SIPA has acquired all processes related to the production of injection-stretch-blow molding (ISBM) equipment at Italy-based PET packaging company Automa for an undisclosed amount.
The company said that this move would help it to extend its offering in single-stage ISBM systems.
The acquisition would also enable the company to strengthen its position in the market producing specialty products like containers for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products and spirits.
SIPA specialises in manufacturing lines, including molds, for PET containers and has production operations in Italy and China. It also produces preform and bottle design, engineering and industrialisation for the supply of injection and blowing molds for all types of PET machines in the market.
With the installation of the machines from Automa, SIPA would be able to produce much smaller containers and would be able to allow quick change-overs between different product configurations.
The machines are also known to be energy efficient. While the three-station ISBM 50SR unit with a 500-kN injection clamp force has a rated power consumption of just 18.5 kW/h for machine, hot runner system and PET loader, the 800-kN ISBM 80SR, which has four stations (separate stations for stretch-blow and discharge), consumes 20 kw/h.
SIPA general manager Enrico Gribaudo said that SIPA would exploit its synergies with Automa's ISBM operation, in three areas in particular, firstly, in packaging development, secondly, in research and development of the ISBM process and containers, which is already a major SIPA strength; and thirdly, in technical support, which SIPA now provides through 18 branch offices and 23 technical assistance centers across the globe, complemented by a hot line covering all products.
"We pride ourselves on being a strong and reliable partner with all our customers, and we are extremely happy to be able to add Automa customers to our number. We are now gearing up our operations to ensure that they receive the highest levels of service and support for their PET bottle processing equipment," said Gribaudo.
The company's offering includes preform and bottle design, engineering and industrialisation up to the supply of injection and blowing molds for any type of PET machines in the market.
Image: SIPA specializes in producing lines, including molds, for PET containers. Photo: courtesy of SIPA.
