Thermoseal’s Third Thermoflex Twin-Strand

Thermoseal has invested in a third twin-strand extruder for its Thermoflex line, in a bid to meet the continued demand for flexible warm edge spacer bar in the UK and abroad.

The new twin-strand extruder will sit alongside two existing models. It can produce all thicknesses of Thermoflex, including 4.8mm, 6.3mm and 7.3mm and air spaces up to 28mm, in twin strand. And because it is quicker than the company’s existing equipment, it can produce more than double the quantity of product per shift on certain product types.

“When we first started extruding Thermoflex, we decided we should be in control of the whole process,” Thermoseal’s sales director Mark Hickox says. “So, we compound the rubber, extrude it, vulcanize it, bake it, laminate it, and then box it ready to go to the customer. No other manufacturer in the UK has the same level of control over each step of the manufacturing process.

“And because we regularly test all our products on site, we can guarantee their quality when they are delivered to our customers.

“Our continued success has meant that we’ve had to continually upgrade our manufacturing facilities. Rather than increase our manufacturing footprint – which would significantly increase our energy consumption – we've invested in a new extruder which can double our capacity without moving to a bigger site.”

 

Growth

While the new extruder increases the capacity for standard 20mm Thermoflex – the most popular spacer bar in UK double glazed units – the investment also prepares the component manufacturer for increased demand in other sizes.

“Widespread triple-glazing specification is on the horizon, thanks to the lower U-values expected of windows following the implementation of the ‘Future Homes Standard’ in 2025,” says Hickox. “This will require more units with different thicknesses of glass and spacer bar. 

“There are still two years before the Future Homes Standard comes into force, yet we need to be prepared for the changes now. Some of our customers are already making the necessary changes to their operations, as ordering new equipment and adapting existing procedures takes time. It’s not the sort of thing you want to leave until the last minute.

“Those companies that prepare now will be the ones ready to take on the extra work when the new legislation comes into force.”

The new extruder will also support Thermoseal’s export market, which is expected to grow dramatically as more countries adopt stricter standards for energy efficient building materials.

 

Picture: Thermoseal has invested in a new twin-strand extruder for its Thermoflex line of flexible spacer bar.

www.thermosealgroup.com

 

Article written by
20th April 2023

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