A leading polymer research and test house has ordered a new twin screw compounder from Rondol Technology in order to enhance its capabilities in thermoplastics compounding development.

Rapra Technology, Europe's leading polymer research and test house, has ordered a new twin screw compounder from Rondol Technology in order to enhance its capabilities in compounding and compound development. The new 21mm twin screw machine will initially be used in work to establish new nanofilled thermoplastic compound technology. Possible applications are set to include flame retarded products; biodegradable materials, and barrier membrane materials.

The Rondol compounder will also be available for compound development and client consultancy.

Business manager for Polymer Processing at Rapra Technology, Emyr Peregrine explains that 'our new Rondol machine offers an ideal combination of flexibility, output and power input.

We are very fortunate to have such supplier expertise close by - in Stone, Staffordshire - and are now looking forward to expanding our operations in the nanofiller compounding area.' A number of Rapra partner companies are already set to participate in the new nanofiller compounding work and Rapra welcomes interest from other companies.

Rapra Technology has been investing across the board; in analytical, testing and design equipment, as well as laboratory sized processing machinery.

Overall some œ400,000 in capital purchasing was released for spending at Rapra's Shawbury HQ earlier in the summer of 2003, much of this in the analytical services area.

The investment was the biggest ever made by the consultancy over the course of its 80-year history.

The new capabilities will strengthen Rapra Technology's position at the forefront of independent polymer analysis in Europe.

Rapra Technology Chief Executive Andrew Ward notes that recent investments have been enabled by the new structure of the company.

'At the time of the Management Buy Out in July 2002 we promised investment in the fundamentals.