The main topics in the WPC field today are cutting down production costs, particularly those associated with materials, which are considered as the main cost driver, accounting for approximately two thirds of total manufacturing cost.
As a result, manufacturers are increasingly looking for solutions, such as the processing of recycled materials, the use of more accurate dosing systems, widening the process window, as well as carefully monitoring and evaluating ways to minimize scrap rates.
Due to these developments, a strong trend towards WPC co-extrusion is visible. Costs can be cut by 20-25 %, by saving formulation costs for the invisible core material (e.g. by using recycled grades). Co-ex formulations used for the outer layer typically have higher stabilizer and pigment content and a redesigned and customized according to local market needs, while the invisible core material is realized in a cost-effective formulation.
The WPC market reports annual growth rates from 10-40 %. Decking is still the main product, with a total market share of 75 %. To ensure comparable market growth rates in the future, the industry constantly searches for new high volume applications that will help it to expand its dynamically developing market.
SHIZHE MACHINERY has taken on board all these developments and developed a high-efficiency co-extrusion line for WPC decking. The line includes a SJSZ92/188 as the main extruder and a "space saver" execution SJSZ45 as co-extruder which offers an extremely small footprint.