New compounding process for biodegradable synthetics

Thu, 4 October 2007

Current environmental laws in Australia and New Zealand require that packaging films for consumer industries be made of biodegradable materials. In France as well, a corresponding law for the application of biodegradable plastics for packaging film should be implemented in 2010. Further impact all over Europe is to be expected in the near future.

In co-operation with German research institutes Reimelt Henschel has developed an innovative process for this application using starch. Thanks to newly designed screw elements in the compounder, for the first time this synthetic biodegradable material can be specifically produced with variable starch and moisture content levels to suit injection moulding or blow moulding processes.

To develop this special product, the co-rotating Reimelt Henschel twin-screw extruder has been optimised in several aspects. To achieve the properties required it is necessary to compound the material at extremely low shear rates under highly accurate temperature control and using a new combined vacuum/atmospheric degassing system. Start-up of the pilot plant in Germany with a capacity of 400 kg/hr is scheduled for the end of 2007. Mass production will be started in Thailand in spring 2008.

On that score, Reimelt Henschel is already in discussions with potential compounding companies in the European region. The new compounder can be seen "live" on the booth of Reimelt Henschel during the K show in D?orf, hall 9 stand 9C37.