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FINNISH SPECIALISTS IN HEAVY-DUTY PACKAGING
Pesmel systems for BlueScope's new steel mill in China

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Pesmel Oy of Kauhajoki, Finland has introduced new product handling and packaging technologies, e.g. 'through-the-eye' wrapping and body wrapping systems for steel coils and sheet bundles, to modern steel mills. Recent installations also include automated roll-changing equipment.

Australian giant BlueScope Steel is building a state-of-the-art flat-steel metal coating and painting facility at Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China, where Pesmel has delivered a complete handling and packaging line which was fully operational by the end of February 2006. The new facility is BlueScope's biggest investment to date and will be ready by mid-2006, when it will employ approx. 300 people.

"The project demonstrates Pesmel's ability to deliver a heavy-duty, competitive and complete wrapping system with control automation and mill interfaces, which met all the customer's key requirements for Suzhou," according to Pesmel's Project Manager, Markku Marttila.

Fully automated

All the wrapping functions on the Chinese packaging line are fully automated, which eliminates the need for manual work, thereby increasing production capacity and enhancing worker safety. The line includes a 'through-the-eye' wrapping system (see photograph1) with an automated film-roll changing magazine. The magazine can be loaded with 12 film rolls, which ensure continuous wrapping for approximately eight hours, depending on coil size and the number of stretch film layers to be applied.

Body wrapping with air-textured film

An innovation in the packaging line is the so-called 'body wrapping' function (see photograph2), where an air-textured plastic is wrapped around the coil mantle over the layers of stretch film. This thick plastic layer provides the mantle with extra strong protection. The Pesmel system automatically selects the right plastic roll, according to the width of the coil, from a six-roll magazine.

After wrapping, the end labels and the inner and outer edge-protectors are added to the package, to make it totally waterproof and weather-resistant (see photograph3). Full protection ensures safe long-distance transportation, regardless of weather conditions, and significantly enhances product durability during transportation and warehousing. The cost savings achieved by correct packaging can be considerable

Test runs in Finland

In addition to equipment, Pesmel's delivery for China included project management, test runs at the Kauhajoki factory, installation supervision and training services at the customer's premises. "It is our practice to install the systems at our factory in order to carry out test runs and obtain so-called 'factory-approval'. At this stage, the various devices are adjusted, functions optimised and capacities ensured, which speeds up installation and start-up at the customer's premises," explains Markku Marttila. Test runs were performed for the BlueScope Steel project and the customer was satisfied with both the packaging line and the results of the test run.

Pesmel systems, used principally in the paper and steel industries, aim to increase profits by enhancing working conditions, cut the cost of packaging materials, improve the quality of finished packages and simplify system logistics.

Further information from:
PESMEL Oy
P.O. Box 14,
Jussilantie 2,
FI-61801 Kauhajoki,
Finland
Tel. int.: +358 6 234 1111
Fax: +358 6 234 1200
www.pesmel.com