ALTERNATIVE COMPOUNDERS | MACHINERY
Left: A Buss Compeo 176 kneader
IMAGE: BUSS CORP
the strengths of alternative compounding systems.” According to Buss, the ongoing trend for performance differentiation and innovation means alternative compounding systems such as the company’s Compeo kneader are being tested and applied continuously. “Key applications for Buss remain heat and shear sensitive materials, polymers and filler materials, especially at high filler loadings, reactive compounding and abrasive materials,” says Dr Krischan Jeltsch, Head of Business Devel- opment – Innovation and Digitisation. “Bioplastics and recycled polymers show potential due to either the shear sensitivity or because the material suffers from each additional processing step, such as recycling, where the milder Buss process can show its benefits. In addition, the Buss kneader shows valuable performance benefits for highly viscous compounds, for example for electrode materials using the upcoming dry process,” he says. Jeltsch adds that some of the influencing factors driving new developments include energy efficien- cy and machine condition monitoring to increase uptime and assess production efficiencies. He says further work is also underway in high-end com- pounds, where the extra-performance is needed for differentiation. He says that the company is also in ongoing
collaboration with partners to establish the Buss kneader in several emerging markets, including bioplastics, battery electrodes, fuel cell bipolar plates, wood-plastic composites and natural-fibre composites. Twin screw compounding extruder maker CPM
entered the alternative compounding market with its 2017 acquisition of German company Extricom, the developer of the RingExtruder RE. It reports that market opportunities for this alternative compound- er are growing in some interesting application areas. “There are two applications where we are really finding a nice niche for the RingExtruder RE,” says Anton Fuerst, Director, Market Segment Sustain- able Products. “The ring is extremely good at mixing and has low shear. In addition, it can spread the material out. The RingExtruder allows for greater surface area and exposure and acts more
www.compoundingworld.com October 2023 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 61
like a mixer with increased devolatilisation. This is ideal for rPET, and other recycling process, espe- cially with high moisture content. We can now pull off volatile compounds and remove moisture, which we believe sets a new standard.” The current main application areas for the RingExtruder are challenging degassing processes, as well as heat and shear sensitive applications. However, Fuerst adds that the company sees potential in many other application areas, including reactive extrusion processes where the 12 apex areas in the RingExtruder allow for more intensive mixing compared to the single apex in a twin-screw extrud- er. There are also advantages in terms of improved temperature control and longer residence times. Recycling, sustainability and material reuse are
also extremely important drivers. That trend is moving faster in Europe, but CPM also supports recycling and sustainability initiatives in the US and believes the RingExtruder’s advantages will allow it to play a leading role in this area. The company says developmental work is also ongoing with biopolymers, where the heat sensi- tive materials require a softer compounding approach. In addition, it says it is returning to the rPET market where it sees many opportunities and potential for the RingExtruder RE. CPM continues to optimise and improve the RingExtruder RE. “We have a new feed barrel and degassing port with better wear protection provided as standard,” says Fuerst. “We have a state-of-the-art lab facility for the RingExtruder RE
compounding extruder with CDP (conic discharge pump) unit attached
Below: A
RingExtruder RE 3 XPV from CPM
IMAGE: CPM EXTRUSION GROUP
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