LAB COMPOUNDERS | TECHNOLOGY
Researching innovation at a small scale
New equipment in laboratory compounding have features that deal with recycled content, offer easy operation and facilitate formulation and production. Chris Saunders reports
The plastics compounding industry is firmly placed at the forefront of innovation, responding to challenges and opportunities driven by sustainabil- ity requirements, performance, and regulatory demands. Laboratory compounding, which facilitates experimentation and the formulation of customised materials before they are rolled out on a commercial scale, has always played a crucial role and is continuing to make progress. As industries across the globe seek more environmentally-friend- ly, sustainable and efficient solutions, lab com- pounding equipment needs to not only keep pace but be a key driver in meeting these constantly evolving needs. Small-scale extruders, such as the Process 16
twin-screw extruder from Thermo Scientific, have enjoyed increasing demand in the growing field of plastics recycling. One of the primary advantages of small-scale extruders is their ability to efficiently manage limited quantities of material. In many recycling scenarios, especially in the initial stages of recycled compound development or when dealing with novel materials, only small amounts of input streams are available. Tom Geilen, Product Manager at Thermo Scientific, said: “The Process 16 twin- screw extruder, with its capacity to process as little as 5 kg to 10 kg of material, is perfectly suited for
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these situations. This capability is particularly valuable in a university setting, where student projects and feasibility studies often rely on limited samples. The ease of operation, allowing a single person to manage the extruder, further enhances its utility in educational and research environments.” The Process 16 extruder has the ability to
produce high-purity plastic recyclates. The precise control over process parameters ensures that the recycled materials maintain a high level of quality, often comparable to virgin plastics. This is crucial in developing closed-loop recycling systems, where the aim is to reintroduce recycled materials back into the production cycle without compromising performance. The versatility of the Process 16 twin-screw
extruder is also noteworthy. It can be used to process a wide range of polymers, including more challeng- ing materials like recycled polyester from textile fabric and foil shred polymer. This flexibility allows researchers to experiment with different types of plastics and additives, gaining insights into their processing behaviour and optimising recycling strategies accordingly. The ability to conduct such experiments on a small scale reduces waste and cost, making the entire research process more viable. Furthermore, the compact design of the Process
December 2024 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 33
Main image: The TwinLab series from Brabender allows users to streamline material testing for lab- and pilot-scale setups while optimising the extrusion production process
IMAGE: BRABENDA
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