Impact Air Systems Delivers Advanced Scrap and Fume Extraction for Ball Packaging

Case Study: Impact Air Systems Delivers Advanced Scrap and Fume Extraction for Ball Packaging

Client: Ball Packaging

Locations: Wakefield, UK & France

Industry: Beverage Can Manufacturing

Solutions Delivered: Scrap conveying, bale handling, fume & oil mist extraction

Overview

Ball Packaging, one of the world’s leading beverage can manufacturers, partnered with Impact Air Systems to enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of its production lines at two key facilities—in Wakefield, UK and in France.

Building on the success of previous collaborations, Ball Packaging awarded Impact with a contract to deliver fully integrated scrap extraction, bale handling, and fume control solutions tailored to the demanding requirements of high-speed can production.

The Challenge

Ball Packaging needed a solution that could:

• Reliably handle large volumes of aluminium scrap from high-speed lines
• Improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime
• Eliminate the need for wooden pallets in scrap handling
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards through improved air quality

The Solution

Impact Air Systems designed and installed a fully automated scrap conveying system that captures aluminium trim from the cupping press and bodymaker trimmers, as well as whole production spoilage.

The material is conveyed pneumatically, sorted into bright and decorated scrap, and sent to two hydraulic balers. Finished bales are then stacked using an innovative pallet-free method, which provides forklift access and allows for:

• Increased bale handling efficiency
• Reduced packaging costs
• Maximum vehicle payloads
• This significantly improves the value recovered from aluminium scrap.

To complement the scrap extraction, Impact also supplied comprehensive fume and oil mist extraction systems, including:

• Oil mist removal at lubrication points
• Dust and spray lacquer fume extraction at printing stations
• Custom hot and cold ductwork systems for efficient waste transport to the RTO (Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser)

The Results

• Higher scrap value – Thanks to cleaner separation and pallet-free bale stacking
• Reduced manual handling – Fully automated material movement and stacking
• Enhanced sustainability – Improved scrap recovery and lower carbon footprint
• Cleaner air, safer workplace – Effective removal of fumes, mist, and particulates
• Lower operating costs – Reduced downtime and pallet expenditure

“This project showcases our capability to deliver high-performance, turnkey solutions to global manufacturers. Our innovative bale handling and air extraction systems continue to set the benchmark in the can-making industry.”

— Impact Air Systems Project Lead

Need a Scrap or Fume Extraction System for Your Facility?

Contact our specialists at +44 (0)116 244 8855 or sales@impactairsystems.com.