JSW opens extrusion technical center in Dusseldorf/Germany for providing the solution for customers’ challenges.

JSW has recently opened a technical center in Germany, right in the center of a completely new industrial park in Dusseldorf-Benrath. It is located just half a mile to the nearest motorway, 25 minutes to the airport or to the exhibition site where the K-shows take place and half an hour to an important polymer production area (Dormagen near Cologne). Hence, Japan Steel Works Europe GmbH (JSW) could not have found a better location for its new "TEXenter" extrusion technical center. Furthermore, it is only a seven-mile ride to JSW’s European headquarters in the center of Dusseldorf. During K 2016, JSW announced the closing of the Belgian Overpelt facility and the inauguration of a new 1000 m2 floor space TEXenter early in 2017, now admitting that the local authorities took some time to assess the technical features and site facilities.

The reasons for the choice of this location are mainly the central reachability and optimum infrastructure in that area for JSW’s marketing endeavours concentrating on polymer production companies situated in European countries.

TEX = Technology plus EXcellence: The "TEXenter" is now equipped with all high-end technology for R&D on extrusion processes, compounding, chemical reaction, dewatering, devolatilizing, pelletizing etc. The latest type, the TEX44αIII twin-screw extruder – 47mm screw diameter and the world’s highest torque density of 18.2 N/cm³ – is available for high-end compound trials. The highest torque makes it possible to operate the extruder with lower screw speed and, as a result, lower polymer temperature, and better product quality can be realized. In addition, a specialized TEX30α – 32 mm screw diameter – is ready for devolatilizing tests in combination with the TEX44αIII. The layout of trial extruders, TEX44αIII (1st extruder) and TEX30α (2nd extruder), is tandem. The 1st extruder is used for preparation of the solution (mixture of polymer and solvent) in order to simulate one of the more critical end stages of the polymerization process. TEX30α (2nd extruder) removes the solvents, volatile matter and monomer substances from the polymer solution. With these trial equipment, JSW can conduct trials for isolation processes (devolatilizing) and high-end compounding processes as high filled compound, super engineering plastics, TPV, biodegradable plastics as well as reactive processing and recycling.

All extruders of the TEXαIII series benefit from a new gearbox design combined with enhanced gears, screw shafts and barrels. The result is a surprisingly high torque. Its torque density value is 18.2 Nm/cm³, which means that the screw speed can be reduced without reducing the throughput and keeping the temperature at an optimal level. A standard torque limiting function disengages motor and gearbox to stop screw rotation and protect the machinery. A low noise water-cooled motor is optional in Europe.

"Customers will come to us with their most challenging material recipes and process parameters, and we have the knowhow and the machines to meet the performance and quality that they expect", this is the unanimous opinion of the TEXenter team – Jun Kakizaki (General Manager), Hayato Hobo (Sales Representative), Makoto Tojo (Process Engineer), and Manabu Ikeya (Sales Engineer).

The 700 square meter floor space for tests, trials and R&D at the "TEXenter" is combined with a 300 square meter office section on the first floor overlooking the workshop. According to the spokesman of the JSW Europe extrusion team, " … the TEXenter" provides the solutions for the customer’s challenges according to a lot of JSW’s special technology from accumulating many experiences in order to meet the customers various demands. The Japan Steel Works has global three (3) Extrusion Technical Centers in Hiroshima, Japan, Detroit, USA, and Dusseldorf, Germany and they are sharing a lot of information regarding the polymer processing technology and timely customer support."

Also on show is the TEX25αIII laboratory extruder with a special side feeder. The compact 26.5 mm diameter co-rotating twin-screw extruder (European debut during the 2016 K-show), for product development of various compounds and masterbatches in engineering and high performance thermoplastics, super engineering plastics as well as rubber/elastomer compounds, is the smallest of nine types in the TEX-αIII series (up to 129.5 mm screw diameter) available in Europe. Cartridge heaters and a barrel clamping mechanism enable easy and rapid barrel section block changes. The total screw length/diameter (L/D) ratios can be selected from 42 with 12 blocks, 52.5 with 15 blocks, and 70 with 20 blocks. The machine accommodates vent or closed barrel sections and side feeding of abrasive reinforcement materials, heat- or shear-sensitive additives and materials into the melt via a downstream barrel section. Wear resistant LSP-2 modified tool steel screws and barrels in N60S nickel based alloy made by JSW promise long life of barrel and screw (high wear and corrosion resistance) for various kinds of compounds containing abrasive and/or corrosive materials and additives.