The Italian manufacturer of compounding and extrusion systems Icma San Giorgio has just put in production a complex engineered compounding plant at a large processor of biodegradable products, specifically shopping or agricultural mulch bags. Purpose of the project was the realization of a turnkey line designed, from the loading systems of the different components to the packing of the final product, to produce a biodegradable compound suitable for the application and at a competitive price, starting from biomaterials available on the market and feedstock of natural origin. 

The loss-in-weight gravimetric feeding system has been engineered for several components, inclusive of proper units for metering hard flowing powders and pre-heated liquids. The co-rotating extruder is equipped with a 112 mm-diameter screw, a side-feeding unit, a hot liquid injection system and a vent stuffer, and can achieve a capacity of 1.5 tons/h. The screw design, that combines high-performance mixing with low energy consumption, is specifically tuned for heat sensitive materials. The under-water cutting unit allows for a really consistent and accurate quality and a fully automated production. Pre-storage silos with a gentle mixing system as well as a big-bags packaging system complete the line. Finally, an advanced control panel integrates all systems and it releases complete production reports available through the company’s ERP/MES network, even remotely, via a dedicated line expressly created by Icma for remote assistance.