RenCom to produce lignin-based biomaterial with equipment developed by Coperion

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Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.

Swedish company RenCom AB has chosen Coperion’s state-of-the art twin screw extrusion system to enable the production of RENOL®, an innovative thermoplastic biomaterial that can be used to replace fossil-based plastics.
Press release: “Coperion supports RenCom in production of durable biomaterial”, 21/7/2020.

Figure 1. From wood to biodegradable thermoplastic biomaterial RENOL®

RenCom has a patented process that transforms lignin into a renewable, degradable biomaterial that can replace fossil plastics. Such material is marketed under the name RENOL®. Passing different process steps, including extrusion and compounding (mixing of bio-compounds that promote the chemical transformation on the lignin by polymerizing it), RENOL® becomes a biomaterial that can be used for all kinds of plastic products. It can be used directly in existing production infrastructure without any modifications to machines or methods.

Following comprehensive studies in Coperion’s extrusion test lab in Stuttgart (Germany), RenCom and Coperion were able to further develop the processing of this lignin-based material. Coperion has designed in cooperation with RenCom a complete extrusion system comprising a ZSK co-rotating twin screw extruder, gravimetric feeders, a strand pelletizing system, a lignin bag dump station and a big bag station to RenCom. The system will be delivered in October and RenCom will be able to produce up to 1,000 tons of high quality RENOL® pellets. This is a fundamental milestone in the progress to supply its innovative material to a broad audience and to enter the market as early as beginning of 2021.

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