plastic conversion competence centre · centexbel-vkc actively supports and promotes the...

Plastic Conversion Competence Centre

© M

arc Wallican.be

Kortrijk

Gent

Brussels

Grâce-Hollogne

Kortrijk• plastic product testing and polymer characterisation• filament & yarn extrusion platform• composite & plastic processing platform• additive manufacturing (3D-Printing)

Gent• mechanical & physical characterisation• chemical testing• burning behaviour lab• textile coating & finishing platform

Grâce-Hollogne• physical characterisation• microbiological & cytotoxic assessments• weaving, knitting, braiding & composites platform

Testing Laboratory

Research Centre

Consultancy Services

Training Centre

Filament & Yarn Extrusion Platform

Composite & Plastic Processing Platform

Centexbel-VKC offers a dynamic competence centre and test laboratory to the plastic converting industry. All actors involved in the plastic converting value chain - manufacturers of raw materials and additives, plastic converters, suppliers of processing equipment and recycling companies - are welcome to the open innovation platform and professional services of Centexbel-VKC.

Centexbel-VKC provides services in the fields of material characterisation, failure analyses, product development, process and energy optimisation and new applications of plastics, virgin and recycled polymers, fibre reinforced composites, rubber, coatings, smart materials and bio-based polymers.

Our strategy focuses on confidentiality, professionalism, punctuality, creativity, creation of added value, service, closing the cycle, People, Planet, Profit.

Thanks to its integration in Centexbel, the textile competence centre, Centexbel-VKC guarantees a cross-sector approach in an optimal research environment, where innovation is self-evident.

Freeformer 3D printer

Plastics for the future

Centexbel-VKC actively supports and promotes the “Factories for the future” project, initiated by the Province of West Flanders to provide a platform aimed at structuring and optimising the offer of research and services.

• Technological and environmental consultancy on materials, products, processes, energy, recycling

• Problem solving

• Polymer extrusion / composite & plastic processing platforms

• QA-CER certification system for recycled materials (in cooperation with BQA)

• Seminars, workshops and symposiums

• Dissemination of R&D results & publications

Our services to the industry

Research ThemesSustainable plastics & composites

Bio-based polymers

• Extrusion, processing and functionalisation

Ecological plastic processing

• Ecological alternatives• Energy-efficient curing and functionalisation

Process energy optimisation in the plastic converting industry

• Research, testing, consultation and audits

Recycling

• Identification and characterisation• Optimisation• Bio-based polymers• Thermoplasts• Quality control• Training

Technological know-how

• MATERIALS: (bio)polymers, (nano)additives, smart materials• TECHNOLOGIES: compounding, sorting, extraction• TEST METHODS: chemical analyses, barrier properties, conductivity• PROCESSES: production, assembling, and recycling• END PRODUCTS: multi-layer, foamed, fibre-reinforced, hybrid products• APPLICATIONS: food, automotive, construction industries• ENVIRONMENT and LEGISLATION (e.g. REACH]

Centexbel-VKC supports companies in the implementation of innovative materials and processes

SiRoPAD

TestingTesting facilities & equipment

Physical and mechanical testing (ISO 17025)• Tensile strength and impact behaviour (products & films), resistance to

scratch, abrasion deflection, etc.• These tests are often carried out following the exposure of the samples

to artificial weathering

Artifcial weathering• Accelerated simulation of the detoriating effects of sunlight [QUV-Xenon]

and climatological conditions on materials.

Rheology: Study of flow and deformation of materials under applied forces• Melt Flow Index [MFI]• Rheotens®• Capillary Rheology Meter• Rotational Rheology Meter

Thermal properties• Heat Deflection Temperature [HDT]• Vicat Softening Temperature [VST]• Dynamic Thermo-Mechanical Analyses [DTMA]• Thermogravimetric Analyses [TGA]• Differential Scanning Calorimetry [DSC]

Material identification• X-Ray Fluoresence [XRF and µXRF]• Fourier Transformation IR spectroscopy [FTIR]• GCMS, LCMS: gas & liquid chromatography [HPLC] linked with mass

spectrometry• Inductive Coupled Plasma Spectrometry [ICP]

Microscopic analyses• Stereomicroscope• Scanning Electron Microscope [SEM]

plastic conversion competence centre · centexbel-vkc actively supports and promotes the...

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