Taiwan-made Plastic Processing Machinery Rivets the Crowd at Saudi PPPP

High performance and quality prove a winning mix at industry show

By STEVE CHUANG

Taiwan exhibitors came home from Saudi PPPP 2014 (the 12th International Trade Exhibition for Printing & Packaging Technologies and the 12th International Plastics & Petrochemicals Trade Fair) with multiple orders in hand for their high performance and quality plastic processing machines.

A total of 22 exhibitors, mostly manufacturers of plastic processing machines, joined the Taiwan delegation at this year's Saudi PPPP, held on Feb. 17 to 20 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. Their products were showcased in Hall 2 at the Taiwan Pavilion, organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council, a semi-official export promoter. Their products turned many heads among the more than 20,000 visitors attending the four-day show.

HT-TS Series T-Shirt Bags Making Machines from Hyplas

Among the eye-catching machines on display at the pavilion were a series of T-shirt bag making machines demonstrated by Hyplas Machinery Co., Ltd. The advanced models exemplified the technological strengths of the Taiwanese suppliers at the show.

Hyplas' bag making machines at the show were fully automatic servo motor models with in-line automatic punching units and servo driver systems built in for heat sealing and cutting for high productivity. The machines are designed to minimize the number of mechanical parts to ensure easy operation and low maintenance costs: qualities that proved persuasive with buyers.

The HP-TS-48AUSR-2(E)/4L model has an inverter-motor tension control for two jumbo film rolls to synchronize the rotating speed with the main machine, a waste film conveying system, largely driven by the in-line automatic punching unit, and a rear film dancing roller system for smooth operation. With these features, along with two sets of print mark sensors, this machine can roll out printed T-shirt bags on two lines, or non-printed bags on four lines, at once, to achieve output of up to 600 printed bags, or 1,200 non-printed bags, per minute, depending on film materials and bag's length and thickness.

For buyers in need of higher productivity, the company also promoted its HP-TS-43, 50 and 60AUSR models, all of which, with three sets of printing sensors, can produce up to 900 printed bags per minute on three lines.

Daniel Liao, the company's sales manager, said, "Market demand for bag making machines in Saudi Arabia has steadily surged over the past years, therefore sustaining success of this year's Saudi PPPP with more buyers." Liao continued that his company's machines received high accolades at the venue, mainly because they offered excellent stability and performance that local models couldn't match.

Liao said that his company secured on-site orders for some of the displayed machines. "Hyplas has built a solid foothold in the Middle East. We have a large showroom in Dubai and will participate in this show in the future to continue exploring the lucrative Saudi market."

Well-established Maker

Headquartered in Taiwan's northern county of Taoyuan, Hyplas is a well-established maker of a wide range of plastic bag converting machinery, including plastic film extruders, plastic bag sealing and cutting machines, flexographic and rotogravure printing machines.

The company is noted for its consistent dedication to quality and R&D. To build its lead in the line, it has worked with partners from Japan to absorb cutting-edge technology to develop industry-leading machines. It also follows strict production standards to ensure consistency. Moreover, the company insists on adopting proven materials and components imported from the U.S., Germany, France, the Netherlands and Japan.

All of these strategies have contributed to Hyplas' global reputation for reliable quality.

YDN Series Recycling and Extrusion Line from Ye I Machinery

Ye I Machinery Factory Co., Ltd. also struck a chord with visitors at the showground with its YDN plastic recycling and extrusion line: a whole-plant solution delivering higher productivity and efficiency.

Leslie Wu, sales representative for the company, introduced the features of the line, including a direct combination of a shredder, extruder, pelletizer and recycler. The line can also use HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, PP, EVA, ABS and PS as raw materials for producing yarns, films and powder, as well as process plastic waste.

According to Wu, the shredder has a shedding drum with high-speed rotating knives to shred the bulk of waste materials fed by the conveyor. The extruder is built with high-quality screws and optioned with vents for smooth extrusion of different materials; and the pelletizing unit is a die-face type coupled with a circular shape extrusion die. Furthermore, the twin hydraulic cylinder-type screen changer allows operators to change the screen without shutting down the whole line.

Ye I also promoted various optional devices to add to the line's utility and performance, including a vacuum pump with a specially designed venting hole for evacuating air and vapor in materials before processing. The unit can also handle printed and foam materials. Another add-on is a nip-roller to recycle intact rolls of film waste; a centrifugal device for expelling water from the pellets; and a metal detector, according to Wu.

Like most of the Taiwanese exhibitors, Wu said that there was plenty of business potential at Saudi PPPP. He also confirmed that his company received a flood of inquiries from prospective buyers during the four-day show. "So far so good," he commented on the firm's participation this year on the last day of the show.

An Extrusion Specialist

Since its founding in 1960 in Tainan, southern Taiwan, Ye I Machinery Factory Co., Ltd. has steadily developed its expertise in making plastic extrusion machines and related equipment.

The company is dedicated to providing high-quality, high-performance machinery using cutting-edge technologies. For decades, the veteran manufacturer has consistently invested heavily in R&D and training, sharpening its competitive basis on industry-leading technologies and a productive R&D department consisting of experts in machinery, control systems and material processing.

Ye I's reputation is also a product of strict quality control and standards. The company constantly refines its QC system, which extends from material inspection and in-process checking through pre-delivery inspection, with each worker dedicated to QC work. The efforts have earned the company both ISO 9001:2000 and CE Mark certifications.

Ye I exports over 80% of its output to markets including Japan, Turkey, Russia, Africa and Central and South America, mostly under its own brand.

Cosmo Machinery

Other Taiwanese exhibitors were also in an upbeat mood due to the strong visitor response. Both old customers and new interested buyers flocked to their booths to view product information. Among them was Cosmo Machinery Co., Ltd., which promoted its STBCR-40 bag-making machine.

According to the company's sales and marketing manager, Yarzar Khan, the newly released machine is fully automatic and can be used to roll out T-shirt bags, vegetable bags and start-seal bags with cores. The whole production process, from film rolling to finished bags, is precisely controlled by computer.

Khan said that this machine comes standard with a high-performance servo motor to make it easy to adjust the bag length and the production speed. The motor can automatically stop when the film is exhausted or in cases of color scanning misses, film feeding blocks or bags jam.

A many-time participant, Khan remained busy at the booth emailing, talking with old customers, and introducing the company's machine to new clients throughout the show. He felt that this year's Saudi PPPP attracted more visitors than the last edition, and Taiwanese exhibitors were generally popular with local buyers.

Dedicated Maker of Servomotor-driven Bag Making Machines

COSMO Machinery, established in 2001, is dedicated to developing and making plastic bag making machines with servo driving systems.

Headquartered in New Taipei City, northern Taiwan, the company supplies T-shirt bag and flat end bag making machines, flat end and hot slitting bag making machines and super high speed T-shirt bag making machines. Its products have been sold to over 45 countries around the world, including countries on the Arabia Peninsula, making it a well-known brand among local buyers in Saudi Arabia.

Wei Meng

At a booth shared with Cosmo Machinery, Wei Meng Industrial Co., Ltd. promoted its high-profile Raschel knitting machines.

The Raschel knitting machines were among the exhibitor's most popular products at the show. The machine can produce net bags and shade nets with PE flat yarn; nylon net fabric-made curtains, garment, shoes and hats for textile and industrial use; as well as mosquito nets, safety nets, bird nets, protection nets of PE round yarn and in different sizes and shapes for construction and agricultural purposes.

A first-time exhibitor, Sam Yu, a mechanical engineer, said, "Saudi PPPP has much more quality buyers than I expected." As local demand for plastic bags surges, the engineer reported that his company's product catalogs were quite popular with buyers looking for high quality and high-performance machines.

Raschel Knitting Machine Expert

Established in 1978 in Taoyuan County, Wei Meng has been developing and manufacturing Raschel knitting machines and whole-plant equipment for making bags and nets for over 25 years.

The firm's product lineup is centered on Raschel knitting machines, including double needle bar and high-speed models, coupled with shading net machines, film slitting extension machines, onion bag machines, fishing net machines, packing bag machines, monofilament machines, flat yarn machines, safety net machines, wrapping machines, film blow machines, and knotless fishing net machines.

The company's machines are all manufactured under stringent quality control at its modern ISO and CE certified factory, and continuously honed before delivery to fully satisfy customers and provide unquestionable quality, innovative functions and excellent performance. Over 80% of the company's products are exported to professional end-users worldwide.

Chi Chang

Chi Chang Machinery Enterprise Co., Ltd.'s booth also received a steady stream of visitors, mostly interested in the Automatic Cast PE Breathable Film Extrusion Line.

Kevin Lo, regional manager, said that the company's breathable film has a unique ventilating outer cover with micro pores that help prevent stuffiness and rashes, and an improved air circulation design, making it ideal for use in diapers and masks. To ensure unquestionable quality, the extrusion line uses 2.6 meter wide auto flat T-dies from globally known suppliers such as E.D.I. and Cloeren Co., with an auto thickness gauging system developed by NDC of the U.S. The company's machinery has a reputation for easy operation and stable, automated operation.

"Chi Chang is the only supplier of breathable film extrusion lines in Taiwan," said Lo proudly. "Production of such machines calls for a higher level of technology and advanced components, so few Taiwanese peers are capable of entering the field." Asked why his company focused in the segment, Lo answered, "Taiwanese companies should do everything they can to upgrade their technology and survive in an increasingly challenging market against low-cost rivals from China."

While this year was Lo's first appearance at Saudi PPPP as representative of Chi Chang, the manager is experienced in marketing in the Middle East. He felt that the mood at this year's exhibition was upbeat, largely due to the strong visitor turnout. "In addition to potential buyers, a local old customer, who bought Chi Chang's machine over 30 years ago, also came to the booth looking for new products. This made me more confident of the growth potential of the local market for plastic processing and bag making machines."

Veteran Maker of Extrusion Lines

Founded in 1972, Tainan-based Chi Chang Machinery has decades of experience as a specialist producer of plastic extrusion machinery.

The company supplies varieties of extrusion machines, including film extrusion machines, reclaim systems, 2.5M-wide 10-layer co-extrusion air bubble film extrusion and 2.5M-wide three-layer air bubble film extrusion line with two unwinders, sheet extrusion machinery, expanded PS/PE sheet extrusion machinery, PS foam plank (XPS) extrusion machinery, 2,500mm PP/PC hollow-profile sheet extrusion machinery, and 1,300mm PP/PC hollow-profile sheet extrusion machinery.

The company's machines have been well-received for their unparalleled quality and performance. Some are marketed under Chi Chang's CCM brand to professional buyers from developed countries, including the U.K., Australia, Japan, Canada, and the United States.

Everplast

The booth of Everplast Machinery Co., Ltd. was simply decorated with posters, a display shelf with PVC pipes and profiles, and a desk arrayed with catalogs and business cards. Yet the company still attracted strong interest among buyers seeking high-quality pipe production lines and PVC profile extrusion machines.

Denny Huang, marketing director, commented, "Many buyers are looking for PVC product making machines, particularly PVC pipes. That makes sense, as this country is actively developing domestic industry while stimulating investment in infrastructure and civil construction to sustainably grow its economy. So this market has plenty of growth potential for Taiwanese companies to explore."

Based on his observation, Huang, a first-time exhibitor, said that Saudi PPPP was particularly notable for the quality of the buyers. Most of the buyers were looking not only for high-quality machinery, but also for suppliers able to provide comprehensive after-sales service, especially technical support and trouble-shooting. This emphasis owes to the country's relative lack of technological exchange in non-oil-related sectors, Huang observed.

"I think the timing is right for Taiwanese machinery manufacturers, as they are globally known for providing high-quality machines and services," Huang said. The manager confirmed that his company is very likely to start building a foothold in Saudi Arabia in the short term to further boost its presence in the potentially lucrative market.

PVC Extrusion Machine Expert

Everplast Machinery, founded in 1993 in Tainan City, specializes in extrusion machinery and related equipment and accessories for producing pipes, profiles, soft pipes, door, compounding, WPC and tooling.

The professional maker develops machines to meet the ever-changing market demand, and has turned out more than 800 extrusion lines since its establishment. Most of the company's output is exported.

Presently the firm's product portfolio covers varieties of PVC product extrusion lines, and conical twin screw extruders, single screw extruders, double chamfer vacuum spray cooling tanks, water cooling tanks, multi-spray nozzle cooling systems, twist belt haul-off machines, clamping haul-off units coupled with hot stamping instruments, saw cutters, stackers, planetary cutters, semi-automatic single bobbin winders, screws and barrels, gearboxes, dies, die carriers, sizing sleeves, and so forth, as well as belling machines, printing machines, plastic-pipe hydraulic pressure testing machines, and welding machines.