Extrusion International USA 5-2020

20 Extrusion International 5/2020 INDUSTRY NEWS BIO-FED Zweigniederlassung der AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH www.bio-fed.com As a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC, BIO-FED is the specialist for innovativeandapplication-orientedbiocompounds. Theprod- uct portfolio under the trade name M•VERA ® is constantly be- ing expanded with new products. Depending on the require- ments profile, these compounds are either biodegradable in various environments or suitable for long-termuse – and com- pletely or partially made from renewable rawmaterials. The legislation in various European countries for film packag- ing is currently becoming increasingly stringent. For example, a biobased carbon content of 60% or more and the “OK com- post INDUSTRIAL” certificate will be mandatory for the fruit and vegetable bags in Italy from January 2021. In France, this carbon content does not have to be reached until the end of 2024. In this case, however, the specifications according to “OK compost HOME” must also be fulfilled for the fruit and vegetable bags, as has been the case up to now. BIO-FED’s comprehensive M•VERA ® film range offers prod- ucts with a high biocontent of 40 to over 50% and can serve various end-of-life scenarios – be it for industrial composting or domestic compost. The company is also researching a prod- uct that will have a bio-based carbon content of more than 60%. “In addition to the composition and easy processing of the granulate, the films must also meet the mechanical require- ments of the application,” says Roland Andernach, Product Manager at BIO-FED. M•VERA ® B5033, for example, has sig- nificantly improved the tensile strength and tear resistance for use in fruit and vegetable bags. With its experienced research and development team, the Cologne-based company can de- velop customer-specific solutions in addition to a standard range of products. Bioplastics with Variable End-of-Life Options Remote Commissioning and Modernization of this ZSK 250 high-capacity extruder, the proof of concept has been realized and a milestone has been set for complex maintenance and modernization projects utilizing remote service. Whether under the current pandemic condition or as customers fundamentally shift work expectations, Coperion offers a lean, flexible solution for machine commissioning and modernization of its extruders. Coperion GmbH www.coperion.com Coperion successfully achieved the complex moderniza- tion of a ZSK 250 high-capacity extruder completely utiliz- ing remote processes and support. As this recent example shows, Coperion has successfully evolved its modernization efforts to utilize the Coperion ServiceBox, an integrated sys- tem for online monitoring and failure recording in extrud- ers and compounders, as well as communication methods like video and telecommunication to complete customer requests. This ZSK 250 extruder modernization package en- compassed both a control software update as well as me- chanical overhauls on the system. A significant throughput increase was achieved on the extruder by modernizing the gearbox, mounting a new coupling, installing a ZS-EG side devolatilization and updating the EpcNT control, including a rebuild of the control cabinet and monitor. Coperion’s three member team, based in Stuttgart, Germany, worked directly with the customer to ensure proper software and mechani- cal updates. During this time when travel is limited by the pandemic, this achievement serves to show that Coperion is committed to the continued reliable rollout of its customer projects and hence their success. Although Coperion has been utilizing the Coperion Service- Box for many years to perform remote software updates on its extrusion systems, more complex mechanical remote tasks have been limited so far. With the successful modernization Coperion successfully achieved the complex modernization of a ZSK 250 high-capacity extruder completely utilizing remote processes and support (Image: Coperion GmbH) Fruit and vegetable bags – a good application for M•VERA ® B5033