In 2016, a new law entered into force in France, prohibiting the sale and distribution of non-biodegradable-polyethylene-based disposable bags with thickness lower than 50 microns; consequently, a French converter based in the Rhône-Alpes region decided to invest in a new project which includes the purchase of a Bandera SmartFlex Bio line for the production of biodegradable and compostable bags mainly made of plant origin polymers.

Besides biodegradable film, the line supplied can also produce shrink, lamination & converting and general packaging film. Particularly, it makes it possible to obtain a flat film with a net width of up to 2200 mm, a thickness ranging from 15 to 200 μm and an output up to 400 kg/h with a 300 mm die.

The line is equipped with an up to 12-component batch dosing system, one 65 mm extruder for the core layer and two 50 mm extruders for the side layers, coextrusion 3-layer die head with 300 and 180 mm dies, IBC system, high efficiency dual lip cooling air ring, automatic film thickness measuring and adjusting system, and two bubble guiding cages.

After the extrusion section, the equipment includes rotating haul-off 2400 mm roller face width with gusseting boards and flattening device with rollers and wooden slats, web centre guide, double station back-to-back winder with surface/combined modes, and tower frame for rotating haul-off.