NEW WHITE PAPER FROM ENTEK EXTRUDERS PROVIDES PROCESSING TIPS FOR BIOPOLYMER EXTRUSION

Lebanon, OR (February 11, 2010) . . . ENTEK Extruders has published a white paper that provides processing tips for biopolymer extrusion. Titled “A Guide to Successful Twin-Screw Extrusion of Biopolymers”, the paper outlines the various types of biopolymers and guidelines to the successful processing of each type.

Authored by Dean Elliott, Laboratory Manager for ENTEK Extruders, the paper breaks down biopolymers into three major types:

• Reactive bio-based materials (starch-based materials and plasticizers)
• Bioresin materials (PLA, PHA, PSM, etc.)
• Bio-based blends (bioresins or starches blended with thermoplastics)

Each of these categories of materials has its own unique processing challenges, writes Elliott. His paper then defines typical twin-screw extruder configurations and processing techniques. Options such as number and types of feeders, venting, dies and downstream equipment are included.

“Research estimates that the global market for biodegradable plastics reached 541 million pounds in 2007, and is expected to reach 1.2 billion pounds by 2012,” writes Elliott. He says ENTEK has seen first-hand evidence of this trend, as biopolymers make up approximately 1/3 of the company’s twin-screw extrusion trials.

The paper is available by contacting ENTEK or visiting their web site at www.entekextruders.com.

About ENTEK

ENTEK Extruders and ENTEK Plus are business units of ENTEK Manufacturing, Inc. Headquartered in Lebanon, Oregon, USA, ENTEK is a customer focused manufacturer of turnkey production systems, twin-screw extruders, and components. The company is a leader in the extrusion of natural fiber-plastic composites (wood decking), pelletizing, custom compounding (mixing of colorants, fillers, etc), specialty sheet lines, and other markets including food and medical applications. In addition to producing state-of-the-art twin screw extruders, ENTEK’s highly-trained engineering department helps companies optimize production, and ENTEK’s turnkey expertise helps customers establish complete plant-wide operations, often from the ground up.