New cast line completes Rani’s stretch film range

A former warehouse at Rani’s Bjölas plant has been transformed into a state-of-the-art factory hall. Its new purpose is tangible, in the hum of a brand-new cast line and the scent of hot film.

– This is the most advanced technology on the market, and only a handful of similar machines exist worldwide, says Production Manager Niklas Storbacka.

He is onsite to oversee the start-up alongside Magnus Lundén, Sales Manager for the Finnish market. The hall’s employees monitor the line as transparent RaniStretch film slowly glides over the rollers. As its speed is increased, the new line reaches an unrivalled production rate. Film as thin as eight microns is rolled onto cores, packed, and prepared for delivery. The packaging robots are also new, as is the line’s additional equipment. This includes testing apparatus, and an advanced system for incorporating an even greater proportion of recycled raw materials than before.

This is the most advanced technology on the market, and only a handful of similar machines exist worldwide.

Niklas Storbacka, Production Manager

Complete range

– Thanks to this investment, says Magnus, we can now offer a full range of stretch films and better meet customer demands — particularly for various types of industrial stretch films and products with a high proportion of recycled material. We can also produce exceptionally thin ‘hand stretch’ films with reinforced edges, known as Folded Edge film.

Hand stretch film is a new product for Rani. Magnus mentions its usefulness to clients in the food and beverage industry, and to smaller manufacturing companies, who can purchase the film from retailers.

– The key advantage of hand stretch film is its ease of use. You can handle a roll effortlessly on your own.
During the start-up of the new cast line, Rani is concentrating on standard products and thicker films. However, the objective is to produce increasingly thinner, high-quality stretch films.

High-quality recycled material

The start-up phase has exceeded expectations, and Niklas is pleased with the line’s supplier, Windmöller & Hölscher. He is now working with the factory’s experienced operators, to test new film specifications and produce increasingly specialised products. Rani’s customers are eager to see what the new line will bring.

An advantage of the new line is its ability to produce high-quality films made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. Niklas explains that the advanced technology is conducive to the manufacture of products with recycled material of a consistent quality, and products already complying with the EU packaging directive, PPWR.

– At Rani we are accustomed to being at the forefront of sustainability initiatives. Here, once again, we are early adopters. The new machine is part of the company’s sustainability strategy, and its commitment to producing high-quality PCR stretch film, says Niklas.