New Technology

Dier International is committed to providing environmentally conscious, cost-effective technologies that maximize our customers efficiencies. “Going Green” will benefit those who tackle it head on by maximizing their performance while creating operational savings.

The simplest way to begin this is by making an ‘energy efficiency assessment’ part of the capital expenditure approval process. The days of the “apples to apples” purchasing scenario when comparing new equipment and choosing the lowest price, has long passed us by. Each technology must be considered on its own merit and must be judged not on the initial cost, but on the cost to own the equipment over its life span. This will permanently improve a company’s overall technology and energy efficiency which in turn reduces its energy costs.

Currently there are a number of technologies available which should be considered by plastics processors to reduce their energy consumption

All-electric injection moulding machines can bring significant energy and cost benefits. Energy savings of 30% are typical, but can rise to 60% if cycle time reductions are considered. All-electric machines use less water; depending on the product, water consumption can be reduced by up to 65%. Improved cycle times and increased precision gives improved productivity, while the reduced need for production capacity can lead to significant cost reductions overall.

A reliable and consistent source of cooling water is essential for fast and repeatable plastics processing. Traditional process cooling technologies using evaporative cooling towers and chill ers account for a large percentage of all the energy consumed in the plant. There is now proven technology which can significantly reduce both energy and water consumption. Low ambient temperatures in Canada, and the temperatures used in plastics processing mean that use of Closed loop dry coolers can reduce energy costs by up to 95%. This is accomplished with energy efficient fans, pumps and free cooling opportunities. The cost savings generated by using closed loop dry coolers give a typical payback period on the investment of less than 2 years and often as little as 12 months.

Drying is a hidden cost and new technologies offer improved energy performance and reduced cost. Desiccant wheel dryers are the latest in dryer technology. They use significantly less electricity, while producing better drying capability and requiring less maintenance.