TESTING | POLYMER ANALYSIS
Polymer analysis adapts to a changing world
New certification requirements, tougher environmental and regulatory regimes, and the growth of Cloud-based data are just some factors playing out in the area of polymer analysis, writes Jennifer Markarian
The plastics industry is changing and so is the world of polymer analysis. The use of more recycled polymers, the growing application of in-line measurement, the emergence of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, ever increasing levels of testing to assure regulatory compliance and the expanding use of laboratory automation along with digitalisation and the shift to paperless and Cloud-based systems are just a few of the trends to watch. With an eye on these changes, analytical equipment suppliers are harnessing the availability of increased data analysis computing power, connectivity and user-friendly “apps” to introduce new and more effective solutions for polymer analysis. With compounding and use of recycled materials growing, and these re-engineered materials being
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applied in ever more demanding applications, producers in this segment of the market increasingly need to measure properties and provide certificates of analysis (CoAs). “Consumer product companies using more recyclate want better quality and more data ensuring quality,” according to Bill Desrosiers, Vice-President of Business Development at sensor and polymer testing group Dynisco. “Recyclers should measure the melt flow rate or intrinsic viscosity (IV) of their polymers.” In part a consequence of this trend, Desrosiers says the company is seeing “a demographic shift in the industry, with an influx of processors who are not familiar with polymer testing.” In response, it has aimed to make its advanced melt testing equip- ment more accessible, with calculations performed in the background and simple interfaces that look
Main image: Analysis technology companies such as Spectro are placing a lot of emphasis on development of software to simplify operation and streamline workflows
January/February 2020 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 21
IMAGE: SPECTRO
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