Thinking Outside the Box

February 15, 2024By Lee Fairhurst

Share this article

Paper-based packaging is all around us – from food service packaging at supermarkets, takeaways and cafes to pharmacies, DIY shops and many other businesses.

According to research the global production of packaging paper and paperboard reached a high of 249 million tonnes in 2020 and is forecast to grow further, thanks to consumer demands and variety in consumer products in sectors such as food & beverages, medical, durable and non-durable goods, industrial and cosmetics, all of which need packaging.

As the preferred choice for the food industry, packaging board is one of the most recycled materials and contributes to the reduction of global deforestation and general waste.

To keep food products protected and fresh, the coated packaging board requires a high-performance drying solution capable of uniform heat transfer and stable web handling. Spooner’s precise drying technology can ensure even the most advanced coatings and laminations provide superior protection against moisture, grease and aroma, in the final packaging material.

In particular, Spooner’s Air Impingement & ModuleDryer™ technology can offer exactly this. The benefits of our Impingement Dryers include:

Dryer orientation: Can be mounted with a horizontal, vertical or on an incline orientation without loss of performance or web handling characteristic.
Material support: Driven rollers support the material during the drying process.
Nozzle design: A range of high-performance nozzle designs, tailored to the process, providing effective and efficient heat transfer.
Retraction systems: Various retraction options are available to enable tail threading. Usually clamshell, but parallel is also available.
Compact design: Integral fans and heaters are available when space is an issue.

ModuleDryer - Typical back side coat station layout

The Spooner ModuleDryer™ combines the non-contact web turning capability of an Air Turn but with the heat transfer capability of a high-performance Air Flotation Dryer, thus providing simultaneous non-contact turning and drying. This advanced technology can radically improve the web run in the coating section by maximising the drying performance within a particular space.

All things paper

Spooner technology and equipment can be applied to a huge range of paper grades including art paper or board, all packaging grades, banknote and security paper, glassine paper and thermal paper to name but a few. A Spooner solution goes from concept design to manufacture with full turnkey installation, commissioning, training and preventative maintenance programmes also available.

If you want to find out more about our paper processing equipment, including Air Flotation Dryers and Ovens, Air Impingement Dryers and Ovens, Through Air Dryers, Industrial Air Turns and Web Cooler Systems, get in touch with Lee Fairhurst (lfairhurst@spooner.co.uk, +44 (0) 1943 609 505.

Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with news, developments and announcements.