Optipack makes bold move into injection molding

DUSSELDORF - Optipack, a German-based manufacturer of dairy containers, has made a rapid and successful entry into injection molded PET preforms, thanks to a turnkey production solution from Husky.

Optipack’s move into injection molding was a bold one. Prior to commissioning the Husky production line, Optipack had exclusively produced thermoformed containers.

“Our entry into the PET market was a major step in the strategic development of Optipack,” Gerhard Freudenreich, General Manager for Optipack, said. “With Husky as a professional partner, we gained experience in injection molding very quickly and effectively.”

Husky’s solution included three 72-cavity HyPET 400 machines, one with a co-injection molding system for multi-layer bottle production. Husky also provided tooling, molds and core plates to manufacture 38 mm-thread preforms, from 16 to 35 grams, for containers ranging from 0.25 to 1.5 liters.

Development of Optipack’s injection molding plan began last year when Husky’s Factory Planning group developed a comprehensive audit and design for Optipack’s new facility adjoining the Müller Milch-Sachsenmilch plant close to Dresden, Germany. Husky also provided project management for the construction of the facility, and worked closely with suppliers of silos and other ancillary equipment.

“When the decision was made to manufacture PET preforms in-house, we wanted to have production on-line as soon as possible,” Klaus Griebel, project leader for Optipack, said. “Husky supported us in that objective. They handled all phases of the project, taking on the set-up of the entire injection molding infrastructure, including technical specifications, equipment and tooling, controls interfaces and coordination of installation and start-up.”

“The teamwork between our on-site factory planning and turnkey management teams and Optipack’s people was unbelievable,” added Sven Mätzig, General Manager of Husky’s Technical Center in Augsburg, Germany. “Optipack’s ability to master new skills quickly resulted in a highly efficient line that moved rapidly from plan to full production.”

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About Husky

Husky Injection Molding Systems (www.husky.ca) is a global supplier of injection molding equipment and services to the plastics industry. With one of the broadest product lines in the industry, customers use Husky equipment to manufacture a wide range of products in the packaging, technical and automotive industries. The company has more than 40 service and sales offices, supporting customers in more than 100 countries. Husky’s manufacturing facilities are located in Canada, the United States, Luxembourg and China. The company’s common shares (HKY) are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index.