Swiss technology company Sulzer is expanding its bioplastics portfolio with the launch of a new end-to-end licensed technology called CAPSULTM for the continuous manufacturing of polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polyester commonly used in packaging, textile, agricultural, and horticultural industries.
The CAPSULTM solution offers optimal process performance for the production of premium quality PCL grades at competitive rates. This new technology joins Sulzer’s existing offering in renewable and circular plastic technologies, including polylactic acid (PLA) process technology. Sulzer Chemtech’s CAPSULTM PCL technology includes all purification and polymerization steps as part of a fully integrated, highly efficient, and continuous process. This new biopolymer technology is highly adaptable to a broad range of industrial scales and can help drive adoption of biodegradable and compostable PCL.
Key applications for high-quality PCL include consumer packaging, 3D printing, footwear, agricultural films, textiles, and medical devices.
Uwe Boltersdorf, Chemtech Division President at Sulzer, stated: “As a biodegradable polymer, PCL has a crucial role to play in reducing plastic waste. We are excited to enable the larger-scale production of PCL from conventional and more renewable resources as we continue to support industry stakeholders in their pursuit of sustainability.”
