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2018 - 11 - 08

The new Paneltim Venti panel in 35 mm thickness: thinner, lighter and multifunctional

For years already, Paneltim has been causing a furore with the Venti panel in 50 mm thickness: a plastic panel for pen partitions in animal barns with openings for optimal air circulation. Due to the openings in the plastic panel, animals maintain visual contact with each other, which reduces stress and improves animal well-being. Through the years, the Venti panel has been continually improved. The openings have become narrower and the number of openings per panel has increased. At present, Venti panels have twelve openings which are 30 mm wide. Now it is time for the next step in the development of the Venti panel: even thinner and lighter, and multifunctional. The new Paneltim Venti panel is 35 mm thick, available in two sizes (800 x 1200 mm and 1000 x 1200 mm) and weighs just 8 kg per m². In this article, you can read everything about the benefits and applications of this brand new panel.

A short history of the Venti panel

Paneltim has years of experience in the field of hollow plastic panels with an internal cell structure for various applications. Paneltim panels were the first plastic panels on the market with hollow cells. Due to the 50 x 100 mm internal cell structure, the panels are very light, yet strong. In addition, the panels are made of a form of plastic (PP COPO) which is easy to process and clean. The panels were invented 20 years ago for the partitioning of pig barns. It is for this reason that Paneltim is the market leader in the field of pen panels. The introduction of the Venti panel in 1997, saw a pen panel become available for the first time that limited the physical nose-to-nose contact between animals, without this detracting from the air circulation in a barn. The pen panels are produced by welding two halves together, which is why they are often also referred to as “sandwich panels”. In this way, a panel is created that is completely closed on the outside, which promotes hygiene, and has a hollow cell structure on the inside.

The new Venti panel in 35 mm thickness: thinner, lighter and with more application options

Until now, the Paneltim Venti panel was mainly used in pig barns. Pigs are usually slaughtered when they reach a weight of at least 100 kg. The panels must therefore be strong. As a result, Venti panels were, until now, only produced in a standard 50 mm thickness. Now, in addition to this trusted version, there is also a Venti panel available in 35 mm thickness. This is a subtle change which makes a substantial difference. For some applications, the strength provided by the 50 mm Venti panels is not really needed. The new 35 mm version of the Venti panel is ideal for smaller and lighter animals. The panels are not only thinner, but also lighter. As a result, these panels provide multiple application options for animal housing. The panels are therefore now also suitable as pen partitions for sheep and goats. The 50 mm thick panels could also be used for smaller and lighter animals such as piglets, but are actually disproportionate for this function. Now, there is a suitable alternative available.

Benefits of Paneltim Venti panels compared with alternatives

Paneltim Venti panels versus metal fences

Venti panels are an excellent alternative to metal fences for pen partitions. In general, metal fences are more difficult to clean because the fence consists of thin rods, whereby most of the water ends up next to it. In addition, metal fences rust, which is impossible with Paneltim Venti panels. Metal fences have an average service life of about 10 years, whereas Paneltim panels last at least 20 years. The first panels which were placed in 1997 are still in place today. The main disadvantage of metal fencing is that the animals can very easily have physical contact with each other because the openings are large and run from top to bottom. This increases the risk of disease transmission. In contrast, the openings in the Venti panels enable the animals to have visual contact with each other, but not physical. Furthermore, the panels are closed at the bottom; the openings start at heights of 30 or 50 cm. This reduces the risk of disease transmission to a minimum.

Paneltim Venti panels versus concrete pen partitions

Concrete partitions are also often used as an alternative form of pen partition. The disadvantages of such partitions are that they are porous and difficult to clean. The smooth surface of the Venti panels is non-absorbent, water and dirt repellent, and easy to clean. The panels can also be made to measure to within 1 mm accuracy. In addition, there is an enormous difference in weight. Paneltim Venti panels weigh less than 10 kg per square metre. As a result, the panels can be easily picked up and moved. Venti panels can also be placed quickly and with a minimum of fixtures.

Paneltim Venti panels versus other plastic panels

Other forms of plastic panels are a third alternative. The most commonly used plastic is PVC. These panels are often open at the ends, whereas Paneltim Venti panels have a closed cell structure. PVC panels are easy to clean on the outside, but accumulate dirt on the inside. Closing the open ends does not solve this problem entirely; cleaning in barns is done with a high-pressure cleaner, as a result of which water and dirt creep into the panels over time. The dirt and the bacteria accumulate on the inside, making it impossible to effectively disinfect a barn.

Paneltim panels for optimal hygiene

Paneltim Venti panels are therefore, in general, easier to clean, allow visual contact between animals and maintain air circulation, whilst limiting the physical contact between animals. The latter is important when, for example, there is a disease outbreak. The disease is not easily transmittable to animals in adjacent pens. Preventing diseases in animals is crucial for keeping the administration of antibiotics to a minimum. When people eat the meat of animals that have been treated with antibiotics, those people become gradually more resistant to the specific antibiotics. It is for this reason that new and more powerful antibiotics are needed. An important objective in livestock production is therefore the reduction, and in the future, the exclusion of the use of antibiotics in animals. To achieve this it is very important that the housing of the animals can easily be cleaned. Paneltim makes it easy for pig farmers to meet strict sanitary and hygiene standards.

Durable panels

An important objective of Paneltim is to use increasing quantities of recycled materials in the production of the panels that are used in animal barns. Paneltim wants to prevent the planet’s mountain of plastic becoming even larger. The material that is used to produce Paneltim Venti panels (PP COPO) is not only easy to clean, but is also easy to recycle and is made up as much as possible of recycled materials. Paneltim wants to maintain this trend for years to come.

Which is also good for your wallet

The new Paneltim Venti panels are thinner and therefore also cheaper. The life cycle of the panels, providing they are well placed, is also exceptionally long. The investment is therefore recovered quite quickly. In principle, the panels do not need to be replaced after they have been placed. Furthermore, the fact that Paneltim Venti panels are easier to clean than other alternatives is a long-term benefit. In time, less water is needed for cleaning the panels compared to alternative materials. Excess water usually becomes manure because the two end up being mixed together. By using Paneltim Venti panels, less manure is produced, which reduces costs. In addition, the cleaning process is quicker, which saves precious time.

Paneltim Venti panels in 35 mm thickness are multifunctional

With Paneltim Venti panels, there are numerous application options. The Venti panels of 35 mm thickness have a double rib at the bottom of the part with the openings. Between the double rib there is exactly the right amount of space for a saw blade. As a result, the pen panels can be sawn to size, whereby the resulting separate parts still retain closed edges. These can easily be used somewhere else. It is perfectly possible to place the part with the openings directly on the floor with a metal fence above that. This provides even greater airflow, which may be necessary in countries with extreme heat, for example, Mexico. It is also possible to create a panel with a double set of openings, both at the bottom and at the top. The closed part is then sawn off and the parts with the openings are welded together. This also improves air circulation. In short, quite a few combinations are possible. Paneltim Venti panels can always be made to measure and can be adapted to your situation.

Extensive dealer network

Paneltim panels are available through a worldwide dealer network.