New production approach for PLA

InnoREX is the name of the new project funded within the European FP 7 program under the number 309802. Assocomaplast participates within a consortium coordinated by Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, consisting of eleven partners including small and medium enterprises, research centres and trade associations.
The aim of the research is to realize a new polymerization route for Polylactic acid (PLA) through a novel reaction concept for the continuous, highly precise, metal-free polymerization via reactive extrusion.
Using alternative energies such as Ultrasound, Laser Light or Microwave energy within a commercial corotating twin screw extruder the alternative energy sources will allow a dynamic control of the reaction and the resulting molecular structure of the polymer. An in-line cleaning device will purify the polymer to remove any traces of the remaining catalyst and monomer residues and hereby count for an excellent product quality.
The research results of these innovative technologies will then be integrated in the Ludovic software, dedicated to the simulation of the twin screw extrusion process.
The InnoREX kick-off meeting will take place on January 24, 2013, at the Fraunhofer Institute in Pfinztal (Germany), starting the 42 months research activity.