Exten S.A. Exten SA is a Swiss producer of plastic films, laminates and sheets located in the South of Switzerland, close to the Italian Border. The company is privately owned and was established in 1980, since then Exten has been constantly growing to reach in 2009 a total turnover of Euro 43 Mil, and has around 105 employees. In 2006 a new division called EX-P dedicated to the production of PP Sheets, started operations and is producing full capacity. The combination of the world-famous Swiss precision and attention to detail with the Italian flexibility and creativity makes Exten quite unique and an entity of its own in the market of film and laminate extrusion. The quality of the products is a result of a perfect synergy between the supplier of raw materials, sophisticated technology and the precious know-how of Exten's people. The company has been ISO 9001 certified since 1993(today ISO 9001-2008) and works according to the most modern and efficient procedures. Constant focus on product development and versatility of the technology are other assets Exten has that enable the company to propose itself on the market has the most innovative and reliable partner of the filed. Furthermore the outstanding level of service and flexibility typical of a medium size company enables Exten to satisfy each market's requirements. In our Cast Co-Extrusion process, Polymers are fed from storage silos to the extruders together with additives through gravimetric dosing systems. Each extruder flow enters a feed-block so that layers can be kept separated until they are co-extruded. This technology obtains films from 1 to 5 layers. The film extruded through the flat-die, is cooled on an embossed-roll surface onto a rubber counter-roll in order to engrave the embossing design on the surface of the polyolefinic film. The embossed film rides through the cooling rolls and reaches a cutting station where edges are removed. The film is continuously checked by a thickness measurement system, consisting of a scanner emitting rays exploring the polyolefinic film surface. This system is interfaced to the whole production line and allows the shortest feed-back adjustment time: modifying the temperature profiles and opening or closing the flexible lip, the flow of material increase or decrease keeping the thickness values within the specification. A Corona treatment can be applied in order to obtain a polar surface which can be easily wetted with inks and/or adhesives. A CCD camera in-line system continuously checks defects (pinholes, contamination, gels, etc.), alerts operators and quality dept., keeps files records of all elements detected. All relevant data are registered and kept in safe records by a PLC system. Our Hot-Melt Lamination process obtains the maximum softness and absorbency on laminates. The main application is within high performance area of medical drapes and gowns reinforcement or within protective clothing. This process use is more and more growing also within various technical and industrial application fields. EXTEN technology is quite unique: based on the "Uniform Fibres Deposition" system, the process has been improved during last three years thanks to internal developments and continuous co-operations with Suppliers of raw materials, high-tech software and machinery. EXTEN lamination technology consists of a uniform and steady deposition of thousands of continuous adhesive filaments onto the polyolefinic surface, leaving fully untouched the nonwovens properties. This obtains an outstanding laminate softness, drapability and absorption. Applying the same technology EXTEN also produces breathable laminates. In addition to EN 13795 careful compliance and based on ISO 20743 2007 (Part 2:transfer method) EXTEN SA determined the effectiveness of its Antibacterial Antistatic Multilayer Co-extruded Cast Embossed Polyolefinic film. It is clear that EXTEN ANTIBACTERIAL FILM inhibits bacteria cells division and interrupt cell energy generation in order to inhibit transport functions in the bacteria cell wall. Silver ions provide new ionised Silver molecules with a consequent steady antibacterial effectiveness. Silver gives plenty of advantages while fighting against methicillin- or multidrug- resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) that has developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics which include the penicillin and the cephalosporins. MRSA is especially troublesome in hospitals where patients with open wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are to greater risk of HCAI. EXTEN SA product EMFR-AM is a pragmatic contribution to a more intensive and aggressive response to uphold the EN 13795 standard and keep bacteria under a more effective control. We believe that safety comes first and we believe that supporting EN 13795 we support our safety, because actions are needed not just words. To read the complete story visit www.exten.ch