Technological watch

Pallmann Industries Inc.'s introduction of an industrial granulator to top off its Total Axxess-brand (TXX) line comes on the heels of relocating from its base of 30 years to a more modern building in Pompton Plains, N.J.

The company moved about 15 miles from its site in Clifton last October to add space for pulverizing systems, parts inventory and overhead cranes for a new machine service and repair center, according to Pallmann Vice President of Sales Jeff Taylor.

"Pallmann Industries has invested to grow our after-sales service and spare parts, improve our customers overall experience and provide additional rebuilding capabilities for the many older pieces of Pallmann equipment still in operation," Taylor said in an email.

Founded in 1903 as flour millers and mill designers, Pallmann Industries now produces shredders, crushers and pulverizers in addition to granulators to reduce the size of bulky materials and scrap at high throughput rates for the plastics, recycling, chemical, food, pharmaceutical, mineral and wood industries.

One of the company's new products is the 70 Series granulator in the TXX line, which Taylor calls the workhorse of the company. The granulator has a "massive" 700-by-2,100-millimeter (28-by-82-inch) cutting chamber with 300 horsepower drive for demanding applications, such as PET bottle recycling.

"The circularity focus on recyclable materials and plastics in specific is in large part what drove our need to move locations and invest in a facility to service and rebuild Pallmann equipment in addition to growing our product offerings," Taylor said. "The 70 Series granulator being the latest that adds to our long history of making and providing the best size reduction systems in the world. As the economy and our customers focus on and demand recycled content, we are in a better position to accommodate these needs."

In the meantime, the pandemic has cooled demand for granulators from the plastic industry, Taylor said. Overall sales in 2020 were down almost 26 percent compared with the prior year, he added.

"Unfortunately that was not much better for Pallmann Industries," Taylor also said. "The long-term effect will be the lost 12 to 18 months of slower sales. And losing NPE this year means missing the opportunity to introduce new products to the marketplace in one efficient setting."

As for the 70 Series granulator, Taylor said, it can produce up to 3,000 kilograms per hour (6,600 pounds per hour) for high-volume processors. The granulator also is durable and requires less maintenance than similar-size products, he added.

TXX Series granulators feature three access points: tilt-back hopper, dual opening front panels and a rear opening access panel.

"All combined, these features provide easier and safer operating spaces for regular maintenance cycles and cleanout," Taylor said.

The granulator joins a group of size-reduction equipment that also includes agglomerators and single-shaft shredder recycling systems.

"With depth of product almost unmatched in the industry and our capability to not only supply complete turn-key systems, but also service and rebuild them and support the customer with spare parts, we are uniquely positioned for the circular economy growth," Taylor said.