New Macchi 9-layer high barrier line in China

During Chinaplas 2025 in Shenzhen (15-18 April), Macchi invited a select group of customers from across Asia to visit its latest installation, located directly at the Guangdong Airbaker New Material customer's facility on the outskirts of Zhuhai in Guangdong Province.

Founded about a decade ago, Airbaker initially focused on producing air cushion bags to protect goods, a market that was growing rapidly with the rise of online shopping. As the company's production quality gained recognition, major European end users took notice, prompting Airbaker's General Manager to explore further development opportunities.

His interest turned to high barrier food packaging films, and after discussions with Macchi's Chinese partner, Rieckermann, Airbaker decided to invest in a 7-layer line with an 1,800 mm layflat and a production capacity of over 450 kg/h in 2021. This line has consistently produced high quality barrier films for export, leading to the decision to purchase a new, more advanced line in 2023.

The new line, installed in 2025, consists of a 9-layer system with a 3,000 mm layflat and a capacity of up to 700 kg/h, and is capable of producing both barrier and non-barrier structures. Featuring a 650-mm die diameter on a Macchi TE710 die head designed to process both polyolefin and barrier resins, the line includes two 65/30 extruders for the skins and additional 55/30 extruders. This configuration allows the production of both symmetrical and asymmetrical structures without curling, as well as full PE films.

The line is equipped with Macchi's carbon fibre air ring, incorporating K Design's Variocool profile adjustment system, and features an 18-metre-high tower (manufactured locally). It also includes the world-renowned BO Plus winder, which offers multiple winding modes (contact, axial and mixed) to suit the type of film being produced. In addition, a Doteco 4-component gravimetric dosing system and an NDC nuclear sensing head for profile scanning ensure high productivity and top-quality film production.

Following the Chinese Spring Festival, the new line was fully operational, and the General Manager of Guangdong Airbaker New Material allowed Macchi to host a selected group of domestic and international customers at the site. Visitors were able to see the new line in action alongside the previous 7-layer line, both producing high quality barrier and non-barrier films for a wide range of applications. The tour also highlighted the impressive new factory built in record time.