How to Manufacture Matches
Phosphorus – from Latin phosphŏrus, in turn from Greek φωσφüρος, bringer of light – ancient name for the planet Venus, is one of the elements that are used the most in everyday life, but because of its simplicity we’re unaware of its importance in our day by day life.
At Betik Industries we manufacture matches by using or recycling reforested wood. The environmental care policy that defines Betik makes the whole manufacturing process abide by ecological principles, in compliance with the current legislation on the matter.
The manufacturing is made in basically three stages:
- The first stage is related to the preparation of the matches’ body: tree trunks are debarked and reduced to millions of matchsticks, square or round sectioned according to the kind of match desired.
- The second stage is the preparation of the flammable dough: which is made from several chemicals (phosphorus sulphur, iron or zinc oxide, powder glass) and can vary according to different types of matches.
- The third stage is uniting both elements by applying a kind of glue. Then they go through a process of collecting and, finally, are put into boxes.
There was a time when all of this was made by hand. The current mechanized processes allow the production of millions at the same time.
Of course, there are different types and sizes of both matchsticks and boxes. The most common matchstick is the kitchen one, but in Italy the matchstick is typically made of wax or cerino, whose body is made of waxed paper wrapping. You can also find the Swedish or safety matchstick (without phosphorus headshot and so sophisticated that it only lights up when it is rubbed against the phosphorus scraper that is adhered to the box).
Read More: Matches Making Machine
