The first polylactic acid (PLA) plant running with innovative Sulzer technology was successfully put into service by Synbra Technology in Etten Leur, the Netherlands. The plant was built by Sulzer Chemtech and is based on a cost-efficient polymerization process jointly developed with Purac, a company of the Dutch CSM group. The plant can produce up to 5,000 tons PLA per year and Synbra plans to further expand the capacity.
The construction of the plant was completed in early 2011, followed by a commissioning and testing period. The start-up has been successfully finalized and various grades of high quality PLA are being produced.
PLA plant at Synbra with 5'000 t/y capacity designed and delivered by Sulzer Chemtech
based on a process jointly developed by Sulzer and Purac.
"Plastics made from renewable raw materials are becoming increasingly more important and have a high market potential", says Torsten Wintergerste, Director Polymer Technology at Sulzer Chemtech. "They constitute a sustainable alternative to conventional oil-based plastics". The bioplastic PLA can be used in many applications, and is produced through the ring-opening polymerization of lactide monomers. The lactide monomers are based on lactic acid produced by the fermentation of sugar or starch. In the near future cellulosic material from wood, grass or agricultural wastes shall substitute sugar as raw material in order to avoid any competition with the food chain which also bears new synergy potential for the pulp and paper industry.
"One major advantage of PLA is its versatility. Its properties can be engineered so that it can biodegrade quickly or, alternatively, remain functional for years", Torsten Wintergerste further adds.
For long-term success in the industry, it is crucial to improve the heat resistance of current bioplastics and to make them more competitive in price. Therefore, Sulzer Chemtech and Purac have developed solutions to produce high quality heat-resistant PLA polymer based on Purac’s unique feedstocks i.e. L- and D-Lactides. With its substantially improved heat resistance the new PLA product endures temperatures of up to 180oC.
Applications in the automotive, electronics and the textile industries using this new type of heat-resistant PLA are currently under development.
The importance Sulzer puts to bioplastic developments is demonstrated by its recent decision to invest in its own 1,000 ton per year PLA production plant. This will enable Sulzer to support its customers in the development of new PLA applications, both by providing samples in sizeable quantities and by demonstrating the feasibility of Sulzer's PLA polymerization technology. The plant will be operational at the beginning of 2012 and will be located in Switzerland.
Sulzer Chemtech is a leading supplier of equipment and related solutions for applications in the fields of process technology, mass transfer, as well as static mixing and dispensing. The combination of excellent engineering expertise and extensive application know-how supports Sulzer Chemtech's ability to provide process solutions for improved polymer product quality on a global basis. All Sulzer Chemtech's polymer related products and services rely on the successful integration of three main competencies: Static mixing and reaction know-how, proven experience in piloting and scale-up together with process and equipment engineering capabilities.
On our website (www.sulzer.com) you will find more information about Sulzer’s energy-efficient solutions including the article “Soda Cups Made of Sugar” from the customer magazine Sulzer Technical Review.
Inquiries:
Sulzer Chemtech Ltd: Dr. Torsten Wintergerste, Director Polymer Technology
Phone +41 52 262 4251 , Fax, +41 52 262 0175 , torsten.wintergerste@sulzer.com
This document may contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, projections of financial developments, market activity, or future performance of products and solutions containing risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to change based on known or unknown risks and various other factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from the statements made herein.
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