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IR Ovens for Gelation & FoamingHeat exactly where the foam forms

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GS-IR IR Ovens for Gelation & Foaming Ansicht 1

GS-IR IR Ovens for Gelation & Foaming Ansicht 2

When gelling and foaming PVC and TPO pastes, a few degrees decide cell structure, layer thickness and surface quality. SOPARA IR ovens deliver a finely adjustable power density that can be precisely matched to formulation, carrier material and line speed. This produces uniform foam patterns with stable cell structure — reproducible and controllable in real time. IR technology heats the PVC or TPO paste directly through radiation, not via air heating. SOPARA IR ovens use the cooling-free system design — often 20–30% more energy efficient than conventional systems with the same lifetime.

Technical Documentation

Brochure

Manual

STEP / Drawing

Technical Data

Max. Working Width4,000 mm

Max. Speed100 m/min

IR TechnologyShort-wave, medium-wave or combinations

Response Time1 – 10 seconds ("Fast Response")

Heating ZonesMultiple independent zones (heating, gelation, foaming, cooling)

IrradiationSingle-sided or double-sided

ControlPLC with pyrometer or thermocouple

Temperature AccuracyFew degrees — critical for cell structure

Product GuidanceFree web, conveyor belt or guide rollers

DimensionsCustomer-specific

Voltage230V / 400V

Total PowerCustomer-specific

CoolingNo active reflector cooling required

Benefits

Precise temperature control — A few degrees decide cell structure, layer thickness and surface quality in PVC/TPO.

Uniform foam patterns — IR radiation heats the paste directly — no temperature fluctuations from air turbulence.

Energy efficiency — No active reflector cooling. Often 20–30% higher energy efficiency compared to conventional systems.

Instant readiness — IR emitters reach temperature in seconds.

Formulation flexibility — Multi-zone control allows storage and quick recall of different product recipes.

Easy Clean Design — Reflectors and protective glasses separately accessible. A decisive advantage in environments with plasticizer vapors.

Reference Projects

Multiple reference projects in converting at leading flooring manufacturers worldwide. Existing gas and oil burner drying sections were replaced with SOPARA IR technology — the switch from fossil fuel heating to electric infrared radiation significantly reduces the CO₂ footprint, while delivering higher energy efficiency and more precise temperature control.

Available Options

Combination of different wavelengths — e.g. medium-wave for gelation and short-wave for foaming

Integrated extraction — for plasticizer vapors and PVC off-gassing

Recipe management — storage and recall of different product recipes via PLC

Data export — temperature curves via USB or network for quality assurance

ATEX version — on request

More options on request

Applications

PVC gelation in flooring production lines. TPO gelation for automotive interior panels.

Foaming of PVC pastes for foamed flooring and wall coverings

Artificial leather production — gelation and foaming on textile carriers

For machine builders: SOPARA delivers the complete IR oven as a ready-to-install module

For plant operators: SOPARA analyzes your process and designs an IR oven precisely matching your formulation

Why SOPARA

84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant.

References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies.

Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions.

System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IR oven for gelation and foaming? — An infrared oven that gelates (solidifies) or expands (foams) PVC pastes through controlled heat input. Typical in flooring and artificial leather production.

Why infrared instead of conventional hot-air oven? — IR radiation heats the product directly, not the air in the oven. This means: faster heat-up time, lower energy consumption, more compact design and more precise temperature control.

For which products is the GS-IR used? — PVC flooring (gelation of the wear layer), artificial leather (foaming of PVC paste), wallpaper and wall coverings.

Does SOPARA design the oven customer-specifically? — Yes — gelation temperature, foaming behavior and process parameters are adapted to the specific product. SOPARA validates in their own test laboratory.