AIMPLAS (Technological Institute of Plastics) and 11 other European companies and technology centers are developing the InnoREX project, coordinated by the German Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology and funded by the VII Framework Program. During the 42-month duration of the project, the multinationals ROQUETTE and HUHTAMAKI will also participate as observers.
The main objective of the InnoREX project is the use of an extruder as a reactor to produce bioplastics from polylactic acid (PLA). This new technology will allow, among other benefits, to increase the homogeneity of production since thanks to the incorporation of a viscometer, the viscosity of the material can be measured, modified or corrected during the production process.
In addition, the use of metal catalysts currently required in the process can be dispensed with. Through this project, an organic catalyst will be developed to replace the metallic particles to accelerate the reaction and obtain bioplastics. The elimination of metallic particles in the process will suppose an environmental improvement and for the safety of the workers.
