Swedish innovation company RenCom AB announced the start of production of RENOL®, an innovative thermoplastic biomaterial that can be used to replace fossil-based plastics. Following comprehensive studies in Coperion’s extrusion test lab in Stuttgart, Germany, RenCom and Coperion have developed the innovative extrusion process of RENOL, a lignin-based material. Using Coperion’s ZSK twin screw extruder technology, lignin can be transformed into durable, reusable biomaterial.

Coperion has delivered a ZSK twin screw extruder, gravimetric feeders, a strand pelletizing system, a lignin bag dump station and a bulk bag station to RenCom. The system has now been successfully commissioned and production has already started, according to schedule. RenCom will be able to produce more than 1000t of RENOL per year.

RenCom’s patented technology is based on lignin, a by-product from the forest industry, transforming it into a high-performance renewable material that is able to replace plastics. Renol can be used in ratios up to 50% in applications such as films (shopping bags, mulch films or retail bags), injection moulding (furniture and automotive parts) and as an infill material for artificial football pitches replacing toxic and non-degradable rubber. It can be used directly in existing production infrastructure without any modifications to machines or methods. With a very low carbon footprint and water consumption, and with high mechanical and physical properties, RENOL is a powerful solution for replacing and reducing the use of fossil-based plastics.

Coperion has in cooperation with RenCom designed a complete extrusion system comprising a ZSK Mv PLUS co-rotating twin screw extruder as well as auxiliary equipment. The ZSK Mv PLUS series unites an optimally balanced large free screw volume with high screw speeds and a high specific torque. Thanks to the deeply cut screw flights thermal stress on the raw material is very low and product processing is very gently.

The comprehensive studies in Coperion’s test lab and the realisation of the extrusion system for the production of RENOL has been the beginning of a successful partnership between RenCom and Coperion.

“We are very happy to be able to support this innovative company on their exciting journey. We see big potential for their lignin-based product decreasing the carbon footprint by substituting fossil-based plastics. We are proud to support the production of their sustainable products”, comments Peter von Hoffmann, general manager of the business unit: engineering plastics & special applications at Coperion.

“We, at RenCom, are very proud that the ZSK extruder has started. We are now in a position to produce RENOL in large quantities and thus make a major contribution to the challenges with fossil-based plastics. We are excited to start our production and supply our customers with hundreds of tons of material”, said Johan Verendel, RenCom’s chief technical officer. www.coperion.com

 

Coperion ZSK extruder supplied to RenCom

 

Below: Coperion’s scope of supply to RenCom also included this bulk bag loading station

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