Extrusion International 4-2026

39 Extrusion International 4/2026 EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGY – CASE STUDY Significantly Reduced Strap Breaks in Strapping Production Czech packaging specialist UNIPACK has modernized its polyester strapping tape production line by replacing an existing extruder with a Gneuss OMNI extrusion system. Since the beginning of 2026, the new system has been operating successfully, delivering higher production output, signi cantly more stable processes, and noticeable energy savings. UNIPACK produces polypropylene and polyester strapping tapes on several production lines and has con- tinuously expanded its production capacities in recent years. As part of the modernization project, an older extruder was replaced with a Gneuss extrusion system consisting of a 4-component dosing system, an MRS 90 extruder, a 25 mbar vacuum unit, an RSFgenius melt l - tration system, a VIS online viscometer, melt pump, and strapping die. "With the new Gneuss technology, we do not need expensive material preparation (drying and crystalliza- tion) with a residence time of 5 - 6 hours, we are able to monitor the viscosity of the material online and, most importantly, thanks to excellent ltration, we have sta - ble production without unnecessary interruptions " re- ports Project Manager Dušan Rejthar. "Our productivity has increased and the amount of waste has decreased from 7% to 3%." As feedstock, UNIPACKmainly processes coloured PET bottle akes, including green, red, and brown materials that are typically no longer suitable for bottle-to-bottle recycling. The system enables the use of up to 100% re- cycled material. The company highlights not only the increased throughput but also the consistent quality of the strap- ping tapes. This quality has already received positive feedback from end customers. Mechanical properties, particularly elongation and tensile characteristics, have been signi cantly improved. "We are very satis ed with the system’s perfor - mance," says Rejthar. "The cooperation with the Gne- uss service team during installation and commissioning was also excellent." Gneuß Kunststofftechnik GmbH Mönichhusen 42, 32549 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany www.gneuss.com UNITAPE strapping tapes Gneuss OMNI recycling system integrated into UNIPACK’s strapping tape production line Project team from UNIPACK and Gneuss during the test phase of the OMNI recycling system at the Gneuss Technical Center in Bad Oeynhausen. From left to right: Dr. Axel Hannemann (Gneuss), Tomáš Medek (UNIPACK), Niklas Moehlmann (Gneuss), Stacho Cupek (UNIPACK), Dušan Rejthar (UNIPACK), and Ladis Holub (UNIPACK)