EXHIBITION REVIEW | COMPOUNDING WORLD EXPO


Intelligent sensors from Fraunhofer LBF form the basis of its ImProcess4.0 system


interventions. From this they established the requirements for an intelligent sensor node capable of pre-processing collected data before submitting it to the controller. It sees the sensors having application in condition monitoring and maintenance planning. UK-based Interface Polymers presented its


Polarfin block copolymer, which is based on technology developed at the University of Warwick and allows compatibilisation and surface modification of polyolefin resins. Polarfin materials have clear applica- tion potential in recycling of incom- patible polymer blends, such as PE with PS, PA or PET. However, Business Development Manager Simon Wadding- ton said the additives may hold even greater potential in surface modification. Waddington cited the example


Right: Leistriz will deliver its first “smart” online rheom- etry systems this year


Right: Polarfin block copoly- mers from Interface Polymers could double the life of poly-tunnel films


of agricultural films for poly-tunnels where effectiveness is often limited by the durability of the anti-fog and anti-drip performance. Traditional additive based solutions suffer migration issues, which means they have a working lifetime of around 18 months. Polarfin additives are permanently fixed in the polymer so will last as long as the film itself, which can be as long as three years. Underlining the move towards smart compounding systems, Leistritz said it would deliver the first commercial systems using its new inline elongational rheom- eter later this year. Launched at Fakuma last year and developed in partnership with the Johannes Keppler University in Austria, the new device uses a patented slit die geometry that allows it to measure shear and elongational viscosity in-line over a wide range of melt viscosities. Its flexibility also means it can handle heavily filled and glass reinforced compounds. Leitritz has previously developed in-line systems for adjusting viscosity in polyolefin production and for colour control in pharmaceutical applications. However, it said in-line “smart” monitoring of more general compounding has not been possible due to the inflexibility of traditional rheometry technology. The company also showed its ZSE 35iMaxx


extruder. Product & Applications Manager Sebas- tian Fraas said this has been designed to meet the fast job changeover times required in the colour masterbatch sector, where batches down to 120kg or so are becoming increasingly common. Features include an enclosed motor, integrated water pump


40 COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2018 www.compoundingworld.com


and cooling, insulated barrel and quickly remov- able die.


Although perhaps better known for its pellet


materials handling systems, Motan Colortronic said the polymer compounding sector accounts for around 10% of its business. It recently introduced a new volumetric version of its Spectroflex flex-wall feeding system for powders, flakes and fibres. A gravimetric version will be available shortly, allowing better feeding of materials with varying bulk density. Key features of Spectroflex units include adjustable intensity of the feeding agita- tors (which do not contact the material to be fed), tool-free exchange of the hopper modules for fast changeover, and choice of discharge options. Compounder Poly-IQ presented new engineer- ing polymer compounds based on 100% recyclate at the Plastics Recy- cling World Exhibition in Essen. The company has started producing recycled PC, ABS and PC/ABS


compounds at its facility in Overath, Germany. Norbert Grünewald, Head of Business Sales and Technology, said that other compounders produce ETP materials with low recycled content, such as 10% or 20%, but Poly-IQ decided it would it would be better to make products with 100% content. The new products are a close match for equivalent ETPs based on virgin resin, he said, in terms of MFI and performance characteristics. On its


stand, Poly-IQ showed parts such as a cell phone cover moulded in rPC, and an automotive lamp fitting moulded in rPC/ABS. R&P Polyplastic Head of R&D Mikhail Katsev- man said the company, which claims to be the leading player in the Russian compounding market


PHOTO: FRAUNHOFER LBF


PHOTO: LEISTRITZ


PHOTO: AMI/CHRIS SMITH


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