Page 47 - Plastics News November 2021

PRoDUCT NEwS

Coperion To Help Manufacturing Graphite- Polytex Launches

Polymer Based Bipolar Plates Line Of Recyclable
PE Films And Bags

orth American pet food and
Nconsumer packaging supplier
Polytex Fibers has launched a line
of recyclable films and bags made
entirely from polyethylene (PE). The
PurE range is claimed to deliver all
the performance benefits of other
multi-structure laminated films and
bags. PurE films offer 30% less haze
than traditional PE films, enabling
clear reverse printing with ‘seamless’
lamination. The mono-material
products use up to 90% less elongation
than traditional PE films, which allows
for faster fill speeds on packaging
ithin the framework of a joint and acid media at typical operating lines. They also offer a higher melt
Wproject with the University temperatures over longer periods of index to create strong seals, as well as
of Stuttgart’s Institute for Plastics time than do metal alloys. Coperion shall strong oxygen barriers and moisture
Technology (IKT), Robert Bosch, transfer all the experience gained in its barrier properties. In addition, PurE
and Matthews International / years of feed limited plastics compound
Saueressig, Coperion is working on manufacturing to the preparation of
the continued development of proton mixtures consisting of high amounts of
exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells graphite and low amounts of polymer, to
for efficient delivery of energy for lay the foundation for future upscaling.
everyday mobile use. Bipolar plates as a Said Markus Fiedler, Process Technology,
core element of fuel cell stacks, and in Team Leader of Chemical Applications
particular their thermoplastic graphite at Coperion: “Our primary focus lies on
compound-based implementations, are two critical factors: The high proportions
the focus of this work. The extremely of graphite in this project, filling levels
high fill levels pose challengesupon far over 85% by weight are targeted at
the process technology, the likes of concurrently low bulk density requires
which have not been seen before. As special equipment to feed the mixtures films are up to 300% more rigid than
a partner in this project, Coperion is into the extruder and increase the traditional PE films, making it easier
leveraging its comprehensive expertise possible mass throughput. Coperion for products to stand up on shelves.
in developing the required machine-side uses patented Feed Enhancement The films incorporate up to 50% post-
solutions for manufacturing compounds. Technology (FET), which is ideally consumer recycled (PCR) content and
Bipolar plates, made from graphite- suited when finer, non-compacted fillers are accepted at the company’s existing
polymer compounds, lend themselves are used. The intake section of the closed-loop recycling programmes.
to mobile applications due to their low side feeder is equipped with a porous, Polytex Fibers is one of Five Star
weight. They combine properties such gas-permeable wall. A vacuum is fitted on Holding’s five business entities. Five
as electrical and thermal conductivity the outside, and part of the air contained Star CEO Mike Ukropina said: “We are
and gas non-permeability with markedly in the mixture is sucked out. The bulk extremely proud of the advances we
higher mechanical capacity than pure density thus increases and with it the offer in 100% PE structures to support
graphite plates can achieve. Moreover, material’s absorption capacity in the our customers’ 2025 sustainability
they withstand the effects of moisture side feeder. pledges.

46 PLASTICS NEWS NOVEMBER 2021 47 PLASTICS NEWS NOVEMBER 2021