Extrusion Asia Edition 1-2026

processed into a homogeneous mass using precisely mo- dified shear introduction and short residence time. This en- sures a low thermal stress upon the material. Micropellet manufacturing takes place in an underwater pelletizer fol- lowing the extruder, generating very small pellets (≤ 1 mm) with a very narrow particle size distribution. Economical and sustainable manufacturing of in- novative EPS products: Along with the novelty of single- step EPS manufacturing, the ZSK extruder also enables production of graphite-enhanced polystyrene (GPS) as well as products containing recycled material. When manufac- turing GPS, free graphite, among other ingredients, is added to the product which reflects the heat radiation and thus offers higher heat insulation than white EPS. NexKe- mia's GPS products demonstrate a very low lambda value, representing a lower heat conductivity and thus very good insulating capacity. NexKemia has succeeded, together with Coperion, in in- tegrating recycled material into EPS manufacturing – on just one production line. The purified and compacted reg- rind can be fed directly into the ZSK extruder. Depending upon quality requirements, micropellets, and availability of the discharge material, recycling content of up to 30% or greater can be realized. The final EPS product is outstan- ding, with equal physical properties to those of new pro- ducts. Moreover, the process is superior to others with markedly lower airborne emissions, as well as a significant reduction in wastewater production. “Using Coperion twin screw extruders, we have the abi- lity to manufacture specialized products for various appli- cations. Thanks to the excellent collaboration and process-technical support, we were able to realize new and environmentally friendly processes together for EPS ma- nufacturing. This allows us to be true to our values of cus- tomer focus, innovation and sustainability”, said Michael Hays, President of Integreon, parent company of NexKe- mia. 创新聚苯乙烯产品的经济效益和可持续生产力 除了创新性的实现了一步法以外，ZSK挤出机还能生产石 墨聚苯乙烯和含回收料的产品。在生产石墨聚苯乙烯时，会添 加游离石墨（free graphite）及其它成分，由于石墨能反射热 辐射，使得产品具有更高的隔热性能。NexKemia的石墨聚苯 乙烯表现出极低的导热系数（lambda value），具备更优秀的 隔热能力。 NexKemia与科倍隆合作，成功的将添加回收料集成到聚 苯乙烯同一生产线中。经过提纯和压力处理过的回收料可直接 送入ZSK挤出机。根据质量要求、微粒特性及可用回收料情 况，可实现30%甚至更高的回收料比例。最终的产品性能优 异，其物理性质与没添加回收料的“纯新”产品相当。除此之 外，该工艺在废气排放量及废水排放量上也低于其它工艺。 “使用科倍隆双螺杆挤出机，我们能满足各种应用场景并制 造特种产品。得益于出色的工艺技术支持，我们共同为聚苯乙 烯生产带来创新且环保的新工艺。这也是我们坚守以客户为中 心，保持创新和可持续发展的核心价值观。”NexKemia母公司 Integreon总裁Michael Hays表示。 Twin screw technology simplifies production pro- cess: Conventionally, white expandable polystyrene (EPS) is manufactured discontinuously within the scope of sus- pension polymerization, whereby the monomer styrene is polymerized in a batch process. Alternatively, continuous manufacturing processes exist whereby processing occurs with the feeding of additives and pentane in several suc- cessive process steps. Various combinations of twin screw extruders, single screw extruders or static cooling mixers are used. Coperion, in contrast, offers a technology for ma- nufacturing EPS in a very simple, single-step process, using the ZSK twin screw extruder. Particularly in the case of suspension polymerization, the chemical balance during the reaction must be maintained, as even minimal impurities or foreign materials can disrupt the balance and destabilize the process. As no reaction takes place in the extruder, but rather the substances are mixed, this does not pose a challenge to this manufactu- ring process. All ingredients are fed into the Coperion ZSK extruder via high-accuracy Coperion K-Tron feeders and Extruder Technology – Case Study Extrusion & Recycling Asia 1/2026 29 NexKemia公司专注于创新制造工艺和可持 续生产，为包装行业和建筑保温行业提供 产品：白色聚苯乙烯（EPS），混有石墨 的聚苯乙烯（GPS）以及回收料含量高达 30%的产品。（照片来源：Nexkemia公 司，加拿大魁北克省曼松维尔） Focusing on innovative manufacturing processes and sustainability, NexKemia provides products for the packaging industry and as well as for building insula- tion: white EPS, EPS mixed with graphite, as well as products containing up to 30% recyclate (Photos: NexKemia Petrochemi- cals Inc., Mansonville, Québec/Canada) ► Coperion GmbH Theodorstraße 10, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany www.coperion.com/