Sulzer inaugurates biopolymer engineering and scale up centre

With 3 ft 150 m² of laboratory and research space, this strategic investment is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable innovation.

With the growing global population consuming more products and services, the amount of plastic used for packaging, electronics, or construction has steadily increased. Traditionally, these plastics are made from fossil sources. Biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) can be produced from renewable sources, are designed for biodegradability and have a much lower carbon footprint. They contribute to solving two major environmental challenges: carbon emissions and plastic waste.

Leading biopolymer technology

Sulzer is a key technology and critical equipment supplier for the production of PLA, the most important bioplastic used today. The company’s technology is used at most PLA plants, playing a key role in projects such as India’s first sugarcane-to-bioplastic facility, large scale PLA production in China, and the world’s largest PLA production facility, currently under construction in the UAE. With the new facility in Switzerland, Sulzer continues to invest in the growing biopolymer market.

Suzanne Thoma, Executive Chairwoman of Sulzer, said: “After the opening of our technology hub in Singapore in March 2024, the new site in Switzerland will further accelerate the development and deployment of new biopolymers. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to overcoming our customers’ challenges and fulfilling our mission of serving essential industries and contributing to a prosperous economy and sustainable society.”

Pilot plants, laboratory, testing units

Together with Sulzer experts, customers will finetune their product offerings for the needs of targeted end-markets. InTecH is equipped with film, moulding, foam, and extrusion lines, enabling biopolymers to be shaped with precision to meet specific customer requirements such as durability, flexibility, and biodegradability. Due to the equipment provided, prototype production is possible on a scale ranging from kilograms to a few tons.

Tim Schulten, President of Sulzer’s Chemtech division, commented: “We are looking forward to supporting our customers in developing smart materials and circular business models. This hub is all about customised solutions – whether it is purifying materials, producing sustainable foams from recycled materials, or developing bio-based plastic solutions. Our team is ready to tackle the biggest challenges in polymer processing and sustainability.”

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/01072025/sulzer-inaugurates-biopolymer-engineering-and-scale-up-centre/