SML: 17% increase in turnover for 2002
Austrian extrusion plant manufacturer SML has reported a 17% increase in turnover in 2002 to Euro 47m. The 2002 results have come in higher than the 7% turnover increase forecast by SML as recently as November last year. The company’s PET calendering and breathable film lines have made a major contribution to the results, with 12 breathable film plants sold.
SML now claims a 70% market share in Europe for its breathable film plants. The most recent breathable film line was sold for Euro 3.6m to a customer in the Czech Republic to make hygiene film. The SML technology for making breathable film involves production of LLDPE cast film containing up to 60% calcium carbonate filler that is stretched and embossed to create micropores. The process allows pore sizes to be controlled in size between 0.5 and 2.0 microns. The film is laminated to a polypropylene non-woven material in a hot melt lamination unit before it is slit in-line and wound onto bobbins.