Arglass will partner with Zippe for the glass manufacturer’s upcoming second plant in Valdosta, USA.
The project, slated for installation in December 2024 and commissioning in Q2 of 2025, is a move towards enhanced operational efficiency and sustainability through modern technology.
At the core of the collaboration is the Zippe batch plant, which has been engineered to meet the demands of modern glass production.
With a capacity of 495 tons per day for the second furnace, the system is tailored to optimise raw material handling, pre-mixing, and batch transport processes.
Its modular design will allow integration into Arglass's existing infrastructure, ensuring minimal downtime during installation and commissioning phases.
Key components of the batch plant include mechanical raw material feeding mechanisms, such as truck and train unloading systems equipped with vibratory tray feeders and elevators.
These feed into a silo system capable of storing up to 10 raw materials, with the largest silo boasting a volume of 500m3. An automatic pre-mix plant, coupled with a 3,000-litre mixer and precise weighing line will ensure consistent formulation and quality control throughout the production process.
In parallel, Arglass has prioritised sustainability with the implementation of a cullet return system. Designed to service four IS machines, the system incorporates scraping conveyors, crushers, falling tubes, and conveyor belts to facilitate the efficient recycling of glass cullet. Notably, the integration of Zippe's ZMART intelligent scraping conveyor control system will optimise conveyor speed based on gob weight and quantity, which will minimise wear and energy consumption.
