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RAPRA TO IMPROVE THE INDUSTRIAL PLASTICS EXTRUSION PROCESS BY THE USE OF SUPERCRITICAL CO2
06 September 2006 - Rapra Technology Limited
| Rapra Technology, Europe's leading polymer research and test house, has secured 1.4 Million Euros of EU funding together with a 14 strong European consortium to improve the industrial plastics extrusion process by the use of supercritical CO2. |
Rapra Technology, Europe's leading polymer research and test house, has secured 1.4 Million Euros of EU funding together with a 14 strong European consortium to improve the industrial plastics extrusion process by the use of supercritical CO2. The project is entitled FreeFlow and the aims of the work are to increase output extrusion rates, reduce processing temperatures and reduce energy consumption in the plastics extrusion process. The research project is being part financed by the European Commission under the sixth framework programme as a Collective Research supporting the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises and industrial associations in European research. A team of companies, trade associations and research partners from the development consortium, spread across the EU, recently met in Brussels in order to map out the plan of activity for the next three years. In addition to Rapra, the partners include UK company, Presearch. The project will also be supported by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast and Aimplas from Spain. Turkish company Yelkenicilier is also involved, as are, AGOR from Germany, Cesap from Italy and the Spanish companies Plastire and Reboca. These organisations and the EU will commit a total of 2.51 million Euros to the project. The results of the work will be communicated through EU bodies that are members of the consortium such as the European Plastic Converters in Belgium, Promaplast in Italy, AVEP in Spain, PAGEV in Turkey and the British Plastics Federation in the UK. The main technical goals of the FreeFlow project are to: Develop a prototype extruder that will allow full industrial, commercial development of the process.
Develop the process on an industrial scale for SMEs with different production requirements.
Demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of the process on full industrial scale.
During the initial stages of the project, work will be undertaken to determine the general process requirements. The result of this analysis will allow the selection of the most appropriate polymers and processing equipment to permit maximum plasticization and achieve acceptable final product performance. Richard Walton, Rapra Technology Marketing Services Manager says ‘the FreeFlow project is but one of several new European collaborative research and technical projects that have come on stream at Rapra Technology throughout this year. We are clearly delighted to be leading a number of key areas in European polymer-based research and development and there is more to come in 2006. Most of all perhaps, we see this research making a direct contribution to the future health and prosperity of the industry.’
http://www.rapra.net
About: Rapra Technology Limited
Rapra Technology is Europe’s leading independent plastics and rubber consultancy. Rapra provides comprehensive consultancy, technology and information services for the polymer industry and industries using plastics and rubber in any component, product or production process.
Company Statistics: Formerly the Rubber and Plastics Research Association (RAPRA)
Established 1919
5,000 clients worldwide per annum
2,000 technical projects each year
World class Information Centre
2 sites in the UK
130 staff Working for industry. Rapra provides specialist plastics and rubber technical, information and commercial services for the polymer industry and end-user industries including the automotive, construction, electrical, medical, offshore, packaging and polyurethane sectors. Rapra has a unique mix of on-site expertise and facilities enabling the application of an integrated approach to problem solving. Its capabilities lie in the skills and experience of its people, many of whom are recognised as leading experts in their field. Clients can commission individual services,specialist consultancy or participate in multi-client research projects, funded by EC and UK government and/or industry, to progress research and development of polymer technology and applications. Testing, analysis and calibration services. Rapra’s physical testing, analytical and chemical laboratories are UKAS accredited to provide UKAS certification and test to a range of national and international standards. Numerous physical tests assess material properties such as abrasion, fatigue, impact and stress and their performance in products in particular conditions. Rapra’s analytical and chemical laboratories undertake materials identification and characterisation etc. using a range of advanced chromatographic, spectroscopic and thermal techniques. Information services. Rapra’s technical facilities are complemented by an extensive polymer Information Centre. The Polymer Library is the world’s most comprehensive plastics and rubber information database in the public domain. Available either in hardcopy, on CD-ROM or via the internet, it contains over 850,000 references which are updated every two weeks. Rapra produces a range of publications including Journals, Industrial Analysis Reports, Review Reports and global Directories, detailed in a Publications Catalogue. Technology services. Rapra’s plastics and rubber technical services can prevent, identify or solve problems and improve on or ensure continuing quality. Supported by comprehensive testing, analysis and information facilities, technologists can tackle most polymer related projects. Whilst details of specialist services are available, the following represents Rapra’s core technical expertise: Materials selection & application support
Product design & development
Manufacturing process development
Prototyping & small scale production
Engineering & tooling
Fault & failure diagnosis
Testing & Analysis
Conferences
Rapra brings together leading academics and industrialists in an annual programme of national and international conferences. Renowned for their quality coverage of polymer topics, Rapra conferences are of interest to polymer processors and industry-wide users. Technology Training Courses
Rapra runs an extensive programme of short technology-based training courses covering materials, product design, processing techniques and environmental considerations. Recognised by the Institute of Materials Continuing Professional Development scheme, they aim to enhance in-house skills, help in identifying problems and to recognise potential opportunities. |
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