EREMA is launching VOLEX technology at K 2025 as a quantum leap in plastics extrusion. This innovation sees water stripping technology installed on a single-screw extruder for the first time without compromising throughput or output quality. Made possible by proven INTAREMA® TVEplus® technology combined with a specially developed extruder screw and cylinder geometry in the degassing zone.
The EREMA stand showcases an INTAREMA® 1108 TVEplus® equipped with the very latest technological innovations.
Degassing, but even better, with highly efficient water injection in the single screw extruder
The new VOLEX technology achieves impressive degassing performance with as much as 40 percent lower VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the final recycled pellets than with INTAREMA® TVEplus® standard degassing, and up to 75 percent lower than the input material (in accordance with VDA 277). Fogging effects, which can be an issue in injection moulding applications for example, are significantly reduced. All this is achieved at a consistently high throughput without compromising on the mechanical properties of the final product. To achieve this, water is added to the plastic melt in precise doses and distributed evenly as an entraining agent. The prerequisite is the use of proven INTAREMA® TVEplus® technology in combination with a specially developed extruder screw and cylinder geometry in the degassing zone.
"We didn't invent water stripping - but we have revolutionised it. Only the INTAREMA® TVEplus® has the unique and proven Plus-Zone. This is located directly after filtration, upstream of degassing, and it ensures extremely homogeneous mixing of the entrainer into the plastic melt. The result is a really efficient stripping effect.”
Sophie Pachner, R&D Manager Process Engineering at EREMA
An intelligent dosing and control concept injects the water into the Plus-Zone with precision. The open-pored melt created by the evaporation of the water multiplies the exposed surface area of the melt a thousand-fold, shortening the diffusion paths to a minimum, and allowing VOCs and condensable substances such as limonene to escape efficiently. Together with an increase in the surface renewal rate of up to 320 per cent and the high free volume, the optimum interplay that takes place is a high-efficiency boost for degassing performance. VOLEX technology does not need any additional melt lines, diverters or manifolds, significantly reducing the risk of black spots and deposits. The result is a perfectly filtered and efficiently degassed melt, without compromising throughput or quality.
"VOLEX technology opens up completely new opportunities in post consumer recycling. Our customers are able to enter new applications where they can use higher proportions of recycled pellets in new products.”
Markus Huber-Lindinger, Managing Director at EREMA.
Examples can be found in a wide variety of film and regrind materials where particularly high degassing performance is required. The premium recycled pellets now produced at this quality level provide access to new capabilities for challenging applications, ranging from film for transport packaging, lifestyle products, and furniture, to high-quality automotive interior components and robust transport solutions such as shopping baskets.
Find out more about VOLEX and visit EREMA at K 2025: Hall 9, Stand: C09
