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Vortex Global, Salina, Kansas, has acquired SolidEx, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Vortex, which designs and manufactures components and systems for the transport and flow control of dry bulk solids, including plastics, has expanded those offerings with the addition of SolidEx and its railcar-loading technology, which has seen growing adoption in plastics.

In a press release, Vortex said the integration of SolidEx’s advanced railcar-loading products with Vortex’s product line “will deliver significant value to clients, particularly in the plastics industry where SolidEx has made a notable impact.”

SolidEx is best known for its spin-loader technology. Compared with traditional railcar loading methods, which typically only fill railcars to 80-85% of capacity, the spin loader distributes plastic pellets as it loads them, resulting in railcar fill rates up to 99%, according to Vortex. In addition to cost savings, Vortex says spin loading represents a cleaner, more environmentally friendly loading method that supports the Operation Clean Sweep initiative to prevent plastic pellets, flakes and powder from escaping into the environment during railcar loading.

Prior to the acquisition, SolidEx and Vortex worked together in a partnership for more than 10 years. During that time, Vortex manufactured the SolidEx loading equipment that connects to the spin loader, including positioners and loading spouts.