BASF Builds World's Fastest Pilot Coating Facility
Scheduled to go on-stream early in 2003, the new line is designed for the coating application of BASF's Acronal[R] acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) emulsions that are marketed to the label and specialty tape industries. It will also have capabilities to apply other emulsion coatings. The new line will have the flexibility to utilize all current and new coating-head designs, including slot-die, curtain, gravure, reverse roll and rod.
This state-of-the-art pilot coater is expected to operate at coating speeds up to 5,000 feet per minute (fpm), significantly faster than the highest line speeds seen in today's PSA industry.
"This new high-speed coating line will enable us to work closely with our customers in North America and around the globe to develop the next generation of emulsion pressure sensitive adhesive technologies," said Jim Tanger, BASF business manager, Adhesives and Fiber Bonding. "In addition, development and commercialization time lines will be significantly reduced as a result of experience gained and information developed using this new equipment."
The installation of the pilot coating line is a part of BASF's $5-million pressure sensitive test facilities expansion. An existing pilot line will also be upgraded and dedicated to handle the coating application of BASF's acResin[R] line of acrylic hot melt UV-cured PSA systems.
For more information, visit www.basf.com/usa.
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