Milacron tailors extrusion screws to meet needs of sustainable materials

Aug. 25, 2020
As more companies process a growing variety of sustainable materials, extrusion equipment suppliers have to tailor their products to meet demand.

Part 4 of a series on extruders for sustainable materials.

As more companies process a growing variety of sustainable materials, extrusion equipment suppliers have to tailor their products to meet demand. 

Related: Entek sees increased demand for compounding extrudersCPM's specialized machines help meet sustainability goals; Graham customers devoting extruders full-time to bioplastics

Milacron has experienced this shift in the industry more so in the last five to six years in the manufacturing sectors we equip and service,” said Kurt WaldhauerVP of extrusion sales. 

Milacron excels at adapting specialty screw designs to accommodate unique material streamsWaldhauer said. 

“Specialty screw designs are fundamental in processing recycled plastics in both our single-screw and twin-screw extruders,” he said“The level of complexity is recognized in our customized screw designs to extend efficient mixing and compounding properties.” 

Specialized screw designs also are essential when processing sustainable plastics or bioplastics. 

“Each bio-resin or recycled resin will differ in characteristics and each will call for a unique process to optimize part quality or OEE [overall equipment effectiveness],” Waldhauer said 

Milacron helps processors adapt as new resin recipes hit the market. 

“As long as we are aware of our customer’s end goal, we can create or provide specialty screws that will combat their unique processing needs,” Waldhauer said. 

Milacron machines are designed to be modular, which allows for adjustments for processing a variety of materials and end products, he said.  

Milacron LLC,  Batavia, Ohio, 513-536-2000, www.milacron.com 

About the Author

Bruce Geiselman | Senior Staff Reporter

Senior Staff Reporter Bruce Geiselman covers extrusion, blow molding, additive manufacturing, automation and end markets including automotive and packaging. He also writes features, including In Other Words and Problem Solved, for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He has extensive experience in daily and magazine journalism.