Bioplastics Twin Screw Extrusion Workshop

Leistritz Extrusion will host its’ 1^st Bioplastics Twin Screw Extrusion Workshop May 16-17, 2023 in Branchburg, New Jersey.  A unique facet of this program is that the classroom sessions are immediately supplemented by interactive "hands-on" extrusion system demonstrations, as well as screw assembly, equipment cleaning and maintenance procedures.  

Day 1- Tuesday, May 16th
Bioplastic and natural fiber formulations are heat and shear sensitive, and often require multi-stage venting.  A partial list of topics, tailored to specifically to processing bioplastics, is as follows:

• Co-rotating and counterrotating twin screw extrusion technology
• Techniques for dispersive and/or distributive mixing (with minimization of heat/shear)
• Sequencing of multi-stage process operations
• Devolatilization process techniques and practices
• Scale-up of the twin screw extrusion process
• Feeders and material handling for pellets, powders and liquids
• Gear pumps and screen changers
• Pelletizing: strand cut, water ring, and underwater
• Direct extrusion for sheet, film, fibers and profiles
• Reactive processing
• Foaming of bioplastics
• Coextrusion
• Process troubleshooting
• Twin screw extruder maintenance tips and procedures
• Control and monitoring options

In addition to Leistritz staff, outside speakers from industry and academia will contribute to the program, including: Margaret Sobkowicz Kline, UMASS Lowell; Rob Jerman, Extrusion Technology and Innovations; and Jim Nangeroni, formerly NatureWorks Director of Applications Development.

Day 2- Wednesday, May 17th
"Hands-on" demonstrations at Leistritz process development laboratory

• Co-rotating and counterrotating twin screw extruders
• Devolatilization via extrusion: ambient, vacuum assist, multi-stage venting
• Feeding of pellets, powders, liquids and fibers
• Downstream addition of fillers and fibers in the twin screw process section
• Die face and strand pelletizing systems
• Direct sheet/film extrusion with gear pump front-end
• Assembly, disassembly and cleaning twin screw elements
• Maintenance for screws, shafts and barrels

1:00 pm                Lunch/adjournment

Place: Classroom sessions will be held at the Hyatt House in Branchburg, NJ. Extrusion demos will be at the Leistritz Process Laboratory.  (3 miles away) Transportation is provided to/from the demonstrations.

Cost: $800 prior to April 15^th; $880 thereafter (includes handouts, lunches, and dinner on day 1)

For additional information please contact May Zaw at 908/685-2333 ext 614 or e-mail mzaw@leistritz-extrusion.com.