Brüggemann launches cutting-edge production system for polymer additives in its Heilbronn site, Germany. The nearly completely digitalized processes with their corresponding logic connections make it possible to respond flexibly and with the highest quality to customer needs.
Setting the Standard for Tailor-made Additives
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The high level of automation not only permits significantly greater flexibility, it also ensures the highest standards for product safety, occupational safety and traceability. With the new system, we are setting the standard for tailor-made additive mixtures and guaranteeing customer requirements are fulfilled in the long term,” says managing director Dr. Josef Berghofer.
The interior life of the six-story complex is comprised of a modular, fully automated mixing, grinding and pelleting operation. Software-supported processes ensure optimized workflows: The raw ingredients required for formulations that have been entered into the system are transported with pinpoint accuracy from the storage space to the system, weighed exactly and then processed. Only the delivery of raw materials and the packaging and pick-up of the final product are carried out manually.
Fully Automated Container System
One of the notable additions that characterize this project is the integration of the fully automated container system and the modern, multi-level production system. The individual work steps are closely interconnected and, at the same time, scalable on a modular basis whenever necessary.
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It was a significant challenge to optimally integrate the individual software components and connect them to the existing database system,” said project manager Michael Sommer.
Digitization Ensures Product and System Safety
The new building is a tower of superlatives in more ways than one: The comprehensive digitization means that no compromises are made in terms of product and system safety while maintaining maximum flexibility. At the same time, the high-tech production system reliably prevents undesired contamination of the mixtures. All processes are seamlessly documented and can be traced at any time.
The new production building with its systems fits precisely with the focus of the company on “chemical specialties”, for which Brüggemann is known throughout the world. For example, totally different requirement profiles are posed for materials by electromobility than for vehicles with traditional engines.
The shareholder and chairman, Ronald Ayles, stresses that, “
With the largest investment of our more than 150-year company history, we are underscoring our ambition to grow and our commitment to the Heilbronn site. Our polymer additives offer very interesting opportunities that we want to take full advantage of.”
Source: Bruggemann