Vitalo Plastics NV (Bruggesteenweg 7, B-8760 Meulebeke) has invested USD 2m in the purchase and modification of a thermoforming machine from John Brown. This machine can produce parts of up to 2.65 m x 1.65 m. Until now, such large thermoformed products could only be made in two parts using conventional welding and bonding techniques. Vitalo hopes that this development will put twin sheet thermoforming on the road to success in Europe. Applications include spoilers, vehicle roofs, doors, bonnets, ventilation shafts, and containers for liquids. The first product off the machine was the roof for a combined harvester. According to Vitalo, twin sheet thermoforming is an alternative to blow moulding and rotational moulding for production volumes of between 1,000 and 10,000 items. The parts produced using this technology are comparable to SMC products in terms of stability, but require up to 50% less material. In addition, different materials and colours can be used.

The Vitalo Group has 220 employees and achieved a turnover of USD 30m in 1995. The company produces 10,000 t of themoformed products every year and expects its turnover to double in the next three to four years, thanks to parts produced with twin sheet technology. Vitalo has been certified under ISO 9001 since 1992. Most of the production is done at its headquarters in Belgium, but it is also active in the Philippines and is getting ready to found a new branch in Brazil. It is also involved in joint ventures in the USA and Malaysia, which produce packaging for the electronics industry.

READER SERVICE: Detailed press release from Vitalo on twin sheet thermoforming with a case description and a short company profile (German): PIE-No. 40599.