TECHNOLOGY | LAB COMPOUNDERS
16 extruder makes it suited for laboratory settings. Its small footprint allows it to fit into tight places, freeing up valuable space for other equipment and activities. This is complemented by the extruder’s user-friendly interface, which simplifies operation and reduces the learning curve for new users, accelerating the pace of research and innovation. Eurexma, a member of Syncro Group specialis- ing in lab and pilot technology, has drawn similar conclusions regarding how equipment is now being used. The company says: “In
recent years, the market has seen a growing interest in solutions oriented towards the recycling and upcy- cling of polymers, as well as the development of compounds based on compostable biopolymers.” At the NPE 2024 show in the US in May this year, it presented its Microex line, a series of benchtop extrusion machines designed for quality control of recycled materials, masterbatch- es and additives. These machines can simulate different extrusion processes by processing small quantities of material with reduced energy consumption. To
further boost efficiency, the Microex line
Above: Thermo Scientific’s Process 16 twin-screw extruder can process as little as 5 kg to 10 kg of material
can be equipped with Eyes, Syncro’s visual inspec- tion system for in-line quality control of materials.
Diverse needs Eurexma says it is currently working in collabora- tion with various partners in advanced research projects aimed at improving polymer recycling processes and notes that demand for materials with organic fillers, such as natural fibres and by-products from the food and agricultural industry, has intensified. The growing focus on innovative polymers such as polyhydroxyal- kanoates (PHAs), which are biodegradable in differ- ent environments, has also brought about new technical challenges and extensive laboratory testing is required to find ways to preserve the properties of materials during compounding with other bio-based polymers or fillers. The company is also heavily involved in advanced research for the depolymerisation of PET. Earlier this year, Thai company Labtech Engi-
neering, which counts Tosaf, Clariant, LG and BASF amongst its customers, underscored the industry’s ongoing commitment to sustainability with the development of a mini conical single-screw extruder for recycled materials. The company says:
34 COMPOUNDING WORLD | December 2024
“In a world increasingly focused on eco-conscious solutions, we are excited to join the global trend towards recycled materials. Our mini conical extruder and conical screw 16mm, compatible with various downstream units such as blown film, cast film, filament extrusion, pelletising lines, and our new COMBI lines, offer versatility and efficiency in recycling processes. While our current focus is on the mini extrusion line, Labtech Engineering also offers single conical extruders for our larger standard lines.” The mini conical extruder is described as an optimal solution for processing small-scale sam- ples, making it suited for diverse customer needs, including R&D exploring recycled materials, QC ensuring material and product quality, and univer- sities seeking compact and versatile research equipment. It can be used with a wide range of common recycled materials, including PET, LDPE, PP, PA and PLA. The high channel depth at the feed zone enhances material intake capacity, which is particu- larly beneficial for recycled plastics of low-density and high volume-to-mass ratio. Additionally, this feature also helps prevent material bridging or clogging, ensuring smooth material flow. The conical design offers versatility through two options: the low-shear screw designed for heat- sensitive materials to minimise degradation; and high-shear screw which is more suited to handling blends and composite materials, ensuring efficient mixing and homogenisation.
Upgrades and extensions The lab compounding sector is dynamic and rarely stands still. Coperion’s ZSK 18 MEGAlab extruder, which has been established for several years, has recently been extensively upgraded. The company has equipped it with several new functions includ- ing: pluggable cartridge heaters instead of hard wired ones which allow for rapid barrel reconfigu- ration and straightforward cartridge heater exchange; an electrically securable maintenance door on the gearbox lantern which increases operational safety and provides quick access; and feeders that can now be placed on a newly-devel- oped, patent-pending feeding platform. This new platform, which can be moved laterally, allows up to four feeders to be rotated and raised or lowered as needed, providing maximum flexibility and creating enormous advantages in recipe develop- ment as feeding can be flexibly located at various points in accordance with process requirements. As part of the redesign, Coperion separated the mechanical and electrical components and
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: THERMO SCIENTIFIC
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
