Colines has supplied the Bolivian company Industrias Belen with a latest-generation stretch film extrusion line based on the AllRollex technology. It is a seven-layer configuration with a width of 1500 mm in a 3-up layout, designed specifically for high-performance in-line production of coreless stretch film rolls. The solution enables the manufacture of both hand and machine rolls without the use of cardboard cores, with very short changeover times, which translates into a significant reduction of waste compared with conventional systems.
The line delivered to Industrias Belen is equipped with the Mastermind system, the company’s most advanced artificial intelligence-based virtual production assistant. The configuration corresponds to the so-called twin version of the AllRollex line presented by Colines at the latest K trade fair in Düsseldorf. The display of this line attracted strong interest from visitors and industry representatives due to its high level of innovation, high production flexibility and the quality of the film rolls obtained.
In-line production of coreless stretch film
The line is currently operating at Industrias Belen’s main plant in Bolivia, where it demonstrates stable repeatability of process and quality parameters in the production of coreless stretch film machine rolls. According to the information provided by the manufacturer, high production outputs are achieved while maintaining the targeted film quality. An important feature of the solution is the ability to start production in coreless mode without the need to use cardboard cores from the very beginning of the process. In practice, this means a very short line set-up time and a significant reduction in production waste compared with traditional solutions that require cores.
In this case the AllRollex technology has been configured for the production of both hand and machine rolls, with a focus on an integrated process of roll formation directly on the extrusion line. The solution is intended for the production of hand rolls with a weight of 2.5 kg and machine rolls with a weight of 16 kg, while maintaining high operating speeds. According to the end user, these parameters are achieved in a stable manner, which is crucial for the economics of the process and production planning.
Use of the Mastermind system
The Mastermind system installed on the line acts as a virtual production assistant based on artificial intelligence algorithms. The available information indicates that this solution is intended to support operators in ongoing optimisation of line operation and in maintaining stable process parameters. The implementation of this functionality in the configuration supplied to Industrias Belen is in line with the trend towards digitalisation of film extrusion processes and the use of analytical tools to improve efficiency and repeatability of production.
The AllRollex line presented at the latest K trade fair in Düsseldorf in a similar configuration was described by Colines as a showcase solution in the field of advanced coreless stretch film production. The interest it attracted resulted from the combination of several elements, including the multilayer film structure, high process flexibility and the integrated system for in-line production of coreless rolls.
Perspective of the user and the technology supplier
From the investor’s perspective, the line is the first implementation of stretch film production technology at Industrias Belen. As the company’s CEO emphasises, the choice of Colines was driven not only by technical parameters, but also by the way cooperation was conducted during the project preparation and implementation stages.
Gonzalo Arano, CEO of Industrias Belen, comments: "We decided to choose a Colines line as our first investment in stretch-film production because we were truly impressed by the company’s approach from the very first contact. They have always acted as partners in our business, not merely as technology suppliers. Everything has been smooth and satisfying for both sides so far. We are particularly impressed by the line’s performance, including the possibility to produce in-line coreless hand rolls (2.5 kg) and machine rolls (16 kg) at very high production speeds."
On the technology supplier’s side, both the scale and importance of the cooperation with a customer from the Latin American market are emphasised. Colines representatives associate this implementation with strengthening the company’s position in the segment of advanced lines for coreless stretch film production.
Paolo Masserano, Colines sales area manager for Latin American countries, notes: "We are very proud of a new partnership with such a big and renowned player in the area, which confirms the technological leadership of Colines in advanced in-line coreless stretch film production. We thank Industrias Belen’s board for their trust and look forward to continuing to develop our collaboration."
The implementation of the project in Bolivia is an example of deploying multilayer stretch film extrusion technology integrated with in-line formation of coreless rolls directly on the line. The results achieved and the user’s feedback indicate that this solution has the potential to be further disseminated in markets where companies are looking for ways to reduce production waste and increase the flexibility of packaging processes.
