Teknor Apex installs new co-extrusion line at German lab

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany – Teknor Apex has added a new Arvitec co-extrusion line at its application development laboratory in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, to enhance the capabilities of the European R&D ‘centre of excellence’. 

The line, which has been completely commissioned, is capable of  extruding multiple thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPV) and polypropylene materials, said Teknor 2 Nov.

As part of the trial process, the line has successfully extruded different profile geometries, including two-layer tubes for AdBlue systems or cooling fluids of battery-operated electrical vehicles.

The machine has also produced two-component strips consisting of low-friction Sarlink TPV slip-coat materials on top of a soft TPE/TPV for automotive sealing systems.

“Customers looking to meet sustainability goals can trial replacing extruded EPDM profiles with a recyclable alternative like TPV,” said Teknor. 

According to Teknor, in addition to recyclability, TPVs offer greater “design flexibility and lower fabrication costs” for hard-to-achieve shapes compared to EPDM.

The line, custom built for Teknor Apex, includes dual Genesis extruders, a calibration table, haul-off, and a rotary blade providing a clean and burr-free cut.

“We are pleased to offer lab scale testing for co-extruded applications, critical for our clients’ successful product development,” said Gert Joly, Director Technology Europe. 

Along with running trials and prototypes for customers, the line will also help speed up internal material developments, said Thomas Aschenbrenner, application development laboratory manager. 

“We have partnered with Arvitec for decades and look forward to continuing to work with them to increase our lab capabilities in the future.”