A Coatings World Q&A: IPCO

Q: Please provide some background on your company. When was it founded? Where is it headquartered and how many employees do you have?

A: IPCO is a world-leading manufacturer of steel belts and industrial processing technologies, serving customers across markets as diverse as wood-based panels, petrochemicals, food, automotive, pharmaceuticals and composites. In terms of the powder paint market, the company designs and manufactures innovative, integrated powder paint production lines.
The company, headquartered in Sandviken, Sweden, has annual sales in the region of €200 million, employs more than 600 people and serves its global customer base through a network of 30+ sales and service offices.

This local presence and market understanding allows customers to benefit from the responsiveness of a medium sized company, but one with the stability that comes with being owned by FAM AB, itself part of the Wallenberg group.

Q:  What kind of machinery do you offer for the paint and coatings industry?

A: IPCO designs and supplies integrated powder paint production lines including feeding equipment, extruders, cooling and flaking systems, (steel belt coolers or, compact chill rolls).
High quality top and side feeding (volumetric and gravimetric systems).

Twin screw extruders, megavolume screw design, available in a range of sizes and barrel styles, with capacities from 20-2500 kg/h. Maximum screw speed 1200 rpm, clam shell barrel, through shaft cooling system, independent temperature control (4L/D), replaceable liner (4L/D), high torque, fast and easy cleaning and maintenance.

Steel belt coolers with capacities from 200-2500 kg/h, Ipco stainless steel belt grade for powder coating production, stainless steel frame, high efficiency calendaring, fully openable stainless steel flaking system, closed loop water recirculation.

Compact chill rolls with plastic belt, with capacities from 20-2500 kg/h, high cooling efficiency, high efficiency calendaring, fully openable stainless steel flaking system, easy belt change in operation, automatic belt cleaning system.

Q:  Specifically what types of process solutions do you offer?

A: Twin screw extruders are available in a range of sizes and barrel styles, barrel length from 25 to 48L/D. Each model is designed for, reliable, energy-efficient operation with easy cleaning and rapid switchover between products with minimal waste. IPCO’s extruders feature precise temperature control (through shaft cooling system,  independent temperature control, etc) for precise control of melt temperature, and adjustable screw speeds to ensure optimum product quality. A split design delivers quick access to the upper and lower parts of the barrel, enabling faster colour changes and efficient maintenance and cleaning operations.

IPCO's experience in the production of steel belt cooling systems dates back to the mid-1950s, a guarantee of knowhow and operational quality.

Q: Which are the most important drivers of change for your business in 2023? How do you prepare for them?

A: Sustainability will be the key to change. This means everything from how we manage our own manufacturing and distribution operations to the efficiencies our product can bring to customer’s businesses. Looking to our portfolio, we are already manufacturing systems that are used to produce advanced paint with special low curing temperature, developed for energy saving.

Q: What types of services do you offer that set you apart from the competition?

A: All IPCO ranges are backed up by a comprehensive global service offering including spare parts and maintenance. The company also provides service and refurbishment of equipment from the ranges of most other leading OEMs, and performance optimization consulting.

IPCO serves its global customer base through a network of 30+ sales and service offices around the world.
The company’s manufacturing base for Powder Coating equipment is in Milan, Italy and the facility is also home to a Productivity Center dedicated to extrusion technologies. Equipped with 100 kg/h and 1000 kg/h extruder lines and associated cooling equipment, the center is available for customer product trials, batch production and feasibility/quality tests.

Visit ipco.com to discover how IPCO can enhance your Powder Coating production needs.