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| FED 72 MTS extruder at the facilities of FEDDEM |
The Germany's AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH based in Niederzissen (Rheinland-Pfalz) is specialized in compounding. The company offers an innovative solution for recycling dry carbon fiber fabrics by incorporating them into a polymer melt with a fiber content of up to 45%. The resulting compound series, baptized ICF, boasts increased strength at low thickness, while keeping the production costs highly competitive. These products are especially aimed at reducing the weight of load-carrying parts.
A second production building in Niederzissen was commissioned in the summer of 2012, comprising 11 compounding lines with an expansion potential of three more. Today, two of these three other lines are being constructed as to satisfy the ever-growing demand for polymer compounds. Thus, AKRO-PLASTIC will install two extra FED 52 MTS extruders dedicated to the production of carbon fiber-reinforced compounds, to be put into operation in early autumn 2017. Following the investments, the compounder will reach an annual production capacity exceeding 100,000 tons at the Niederzissen plant.
AKRO-PLASTIC's expertise in compound production is illustrated by highly accurate temperature control for ideal fiber dosing. The company uses twin-screw extruders manufactured by a fellow subsidiary FEDDEM GmbH & Co. KG from Sinzig that was fitted with a state-of-the-art side feeder for this very purpose. As to avoid damage to electrical components of the lines potentially caused by highly conductive carbon fibers, the equipment is entirely electrically encapsulated during compound processing.
