#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing
Gas and Steam heated stenter chambers – a 1st for Monforts
Supplied at 150°C at virtually no cost and a pressure of just 13 bar, the technique is providing significant energy savings for the normally gas-heated chambers.
Should a terry fabric require a temperature above 150°C, a simple changeover switch to gas heats the two chambers to 180°C. Thought to be one of the first installations to capitalise on this technique, it is certainly the first for Monforts in Portugal. The steam is also routed to the stenters heat recovery system to act as a fire extinguishing system in the rare event of a fire. The roof mounted heat recovery system recycles hot air back into the Montex chambers, heating the inlet air and providing further energy savings.
Modernisation programme
- The new 5-chamber Montex has been installed to replace a 30-years old stenter in an on-going modernisation programme.
- In electing to order the Montex from local representative, Maquicontrolo, Lasa director
- José Antunes, confirmed that energy savings were top of his ‘shopping list.’
“Although it has only been operational for two months, we are already noticing significant differences – for example, running at twice the speed of the old unit means we are able to double our finished production.”
He also announced that the company was looking at ‘shutting down’ one of its three daily shifts as a direct result of the stenters performance, whilst still increasing production with the resulting energy savings and reduced labour costs.
Pic: José Antunes
Vertical operation Although founded in 1971 by Armando da Silva Antunes – producing handkerchiefs – the April 1974 revolution in Portugal and the period of instability that followed, combined with an adverse economic situation, meant that it was not until 1980 that he was able to follow his dream, establishing a fully vertical operation.
As a fully vertical operation with spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing and confectionery, Lasa produces a wide range of terry towels, bath robes, bath mats and baby articles.
A key to its success is the company’s quality control procedures with complete control of every process and results and procedures registered to ensure a high and continuous standard.
The company offers ‘six never out of stock’ plain dyed ranges in different colours, weights and yarn quantities. These plain dyed ranges are complemented with bath robes, bath mats and slippers. Lasa also presents two collections a year based on its r & d departments trend scouting. Additionally some new designs are launched every month as a ‘refreshment’ of the main collection.
Pic: The new Monforts Montex 6500 stenter
Export production
- More than 90% of the ‘terry’ production is jacquard in weights of between 240 gm/m² - 1500 kg/m² (towels 240 – 700 gm/m²; bath robes at 480 gm/m²; and bath mats at 1500 kg/m²).
- Featuring widths of 60 cm – 2.4 m, the Montex operates at speeds of 15 – 35 m/min.
- According to José Antunes, the speed factor was an important consideration.
He also appreciates the Monforts horizontal chain system over competing brands, offering extended lifetime operation. With 90% of production bound for the European markets – primarily Germany, France and Spain, plus the United States of America, leading customer brands include El Corte Inglês, Guy Larouche, Zara Home, Auchon, Diesel, Debenhams, Conran Shop and La Perla.
