As part of its series on energy efficiency, the European association of plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers known as Euromap (Frankfurt / Germany; www.euromap.org) has issued guidance on the energy efficiency of extrusion blow moulding machines. The guidance is designed to allow companies to communicate their performance simply and transparently, enabling customers to make comparisons.

Publication of the new Euromap 46 recommendation follows the revised Euromap 60 energy efficiency recommendation for injection moulding machines, which was published in January 2013 – see Plasteurope.com of 08.02.2013. Like Euromap 60, Euromap 46 distinguishes between machine-related and product-related energy consumption and contains a classification of machinery using a defined test cycle. It covers the measuring methods used to determine the specific energy consumption of products according to customer demands.

Euromap says further recommendations covering additional types of machinery are being prepared. “Energy efficiency is increasingly important for European plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers,” it adds.