Sustainability

RINCO ULTRASONICS and sustainability

RINCO ULTRASONICS specialises in manufacturing machines for processing plastic using ultrasonic welding and ultrasonic cutting methods.

Plastic is a highly resistant material – a quality that is both a blessing and a curse as far as sustainability is concerned. While the durability of plastic products is certainly a positive attribute, it can be difficult to dispose of or recycle such an environmentally stable material when it does reach the end of its lifecycle.

By consequence, single-use items are not actually an appropriate use of plastic as a material and are incompatible with environmental concerns.

High-quality plastic products or components with sophisticated technology tell a different story: in their case, plastic is compatible with sustainability and climate protection values in many sectors. By providing heat insulation and lightweight materials in mobility applications, for example, it can cut down on the use of energy and resources.

Plastic is a lightweight material with both thermal and electrical insulation properties, and is also able to create sound insulation. In most cases, it is easy to process and uses a comparably small amount of energy for this purpose. Its multifunctional properties make it possible to create complex designs.

Against the backdrop of a movement towards using the Earth’s resources more sparingly, in recent years there has been extensive research into renewable raw materials, biodegradable plastics and using circular economies and recycling activities to extend the useful life of raw material flows.

RINCO ULTRASONICS is actively engaged in all of these areas and is able to contribute its wide-ranging expertise in ultrasonic welding and cutting to a number of projects:

Maize carrier bags

Welding trials involving textiles made from maize starch as a raw material have shown that seams can easily be welded to the same quality as those found in conventional carrier bags (made from nonwovens, for instance), with little change to the process. This means maize starch is an excellent potential substitute for synthetic textiles – and the carrier bags made from it can be composted at the end of their life.

Cutting-edge ultrasonic technology saves energy

In one project for a medical technology customer, energy usage was reduced by 78% – just one example of the potential that ultrasonic technology holds. In this specific case, a pneumatic ultrasonic welding machine was replaced with a new machine type of equivalent quality. With this ultrasonic welding machine from the latest Electrical Motion range, it has been possible to achieve energy savings of more than three quarters per weld seam when producing filters for ventilators. Not only that, but the welding cycle has even been halved from two seconds to one – and the weld seams are of the best possible quality.

Welding bioplastics that come into contact with food

Herb and spice shakers aren’t just practical – when made from bioplastics, they’re also a lifestyle product that’s sustainable. In this application, which swapped conventional plastic with bioplastic as a raw material but wanted to keep the same product design, one of the key considerations was the weldability of the new material. RINCO ULTRASONICS devices weld the new biomaterial just as reliably as other thermoplastics, making the end-user product both durable and safe to come into contact with food.

Conclusion: Ultrasonics – an environmentally friendly technology

Ultrasonic welding is a material-efficient type of joining technology as it requires no adhesive or screws, making it easier to separate items for recycling.
In addition, ultrasonic welding is energy-efficient and generally improves the environmental impact of end-user products. The process requires much less energy than thermal welding does, for instance.

In today’s world, the way in which we use resources and handle food needs to be more carefully considered than it ever has been. Ultrasonic cutting of food items produces clean, reproducible cuts, resulting in less waste from the production process. Not only that, but the blade needs to be cleaned less often, cutting down on the use of water and detergent and creating less impact on the environment.

Treating the environment with respect and dedication – RINCO ULTRASONICS

Since as far back as 2014, RINCO ULTRASONICS has been certified to ISO 14001 in recognition of its compliance with all the requirements of this international environmental management standard. Related to this is the company’s self-imposed commitment to implementing ongoing measures that aim to make the business and all its processes more eco-friendly. The certification confirms that we are pursuing a targeted environmental policy.

Here at RINCO ULTRASONICS, we are proud of this environmental certification and embrace the all-important issue of protecting the environment in everything we do. Separating waste, establishing digital methods in order to save paper and using lighting appropriately are all habits that have long been engrained in our practices. We believe that every single one of us can make a difference when it comes to acting responsibly towards the environment and its resources.

Thinking about switching to bioplastics or recycled plastics out of concern for the environment? Get in touch with us and we’ll gladly give you the benefit of our expertise in our well-equipped Competence Center. Our dedicated team can conduct joining and separating trials to help you find your way on the road towards more sustainability.

Make the most of our expertise – and benefit from efficient, sustainable production.

Ask us for a consultation – no commitment necessary.