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Purging and
Cleaning
Compounds

A range of compounds to aid in the purging, cleaning and shut down procedures of polymer extrusion equipment.

Efficient and defect free manufacturing.

As the majority of polymer processing machines are running almost continuously, they are susceptible to accumulating degraded materials consisting of oxidised polymer, black carbon deposits, and other matter derived from coloured pigments and additives that have been processed.

For efficient and defect free manufacturing it is essential to maintain the cleanliness of extrusion and moulding machinery. The use of purge compounds and shutdown materials will greatly help to achieve this.

How it works.

Wells have designed purge and shutdown compounds that when used in conjunction with each other, and coupled with good general housekeeping practices, will keep processing equipment in prime condition.

Wells purge compounds contain a synergistic combination of chemical and abrasive cleaning agents to remove degraded materials and other foreign contamination from the extruder. It is advisable to have a regular scheduled purge programme to keep degraded materials to a minimum.

Wells purge compounds can be used to clean between colour changes to reduce downtime, and lessen the risk of colour cross contamination. A purge of the machine will also be beneficial prior to any planned shutdown of the extruder.

Wells shutdown compounds contain highly efficient thermal stabilisation packages that prevent the polymer from oxidative degradation during long periods in the extruder barrel. The shutdown compound protects the material in the barrel from degradation during the cooling down and heating up processes, thereby giving faster start-ups and greatly reduced start up scrap.

Once introduced to the extruder, Wells shutdown compounds will be sufficiently stabilised to sit for several hours at reduced temperatures (around 100OC). This is often important as it can allow maintenance to be conducted on ancillary equipment with the confidence of a rapid, clean start up.

It is also good practice to use shutdown compounds during ‘planned shutdowns’ such as weekends and holidays, where they will facilitate much faster start-ups and return to ‘good’ production. Wells shutdown compounds are well stabilised to cover machinery shutdowns to ambient temperatures for periods of several weeks.

Applications: Blown film, Cast Film, Sheet Extrusion, Profile Extrusion, Blow Moulding, Injection Moulding

Polymer Carriers Available: PE

Talk to us about purge and shut down compounds

Find out how Wells can help with efficient and defect free manufacturing

BACTIglas™

Antimicrobial Masterbatches and powders for polymer applications

Reverte™

Biodegradable Additive Masterbatches for polymer films

Documents

Here you can access our policies, regulatory documents and certificates

1984
Wells Plastics Founded

The business was founded in 1984 by Danny Wells servicing the UK with specialist additive masterbatches for the UK film and fibre marketplace, with a particular expertise in UV masterbatches.

1997
New Management

In 1997 Danny left the business, under new management the product range began to grow.

1999
Bactiglas™ Launches

In 1999 the business entered antimicrobial masterbatch marketplace which would become the Bactiglas™ range of products.

2003
Reverte™ Arrives

In 2003 Wells developed a range of oxo-biodegradable masterbatches which would become the Reverte™ range of products in 2005.

2006
Expansion

In 2006 the business began its first site expansion taking on more warehousing and office space on the same industrial estate, including an expansion of the lab facility to support the growing business.

2009
Growing Team

In 2009 the

Technical Department expanded further

2011
Management Buy Out

In 2011 KCP supported a management buy-out and provided investment for growth

2012
International Growth

In 2012 Wells increased dramatically its international foot print through an expanded distribution network.

2015
Founding Members

In 2015 Wells are the founding Member of the oxo-biodegradable plastics federation (now known as the Society of Biodegradable Polymers)

2018
Capacity Increases

In 2018 the business underwent a significant capacity uplift with a 40% expansion and extension of the current production facility

2019
ISO 14001

In 2019 the business achieved ISO 14001

 

2020
Ecovadis Silver

In 2020 Wells achieve a Silver EcoVadis rating

2022
A Busy Year

In 2022 Wells created the Innovation Centre, a raw material warehouse, gained a Gold Ecovadis rating and completed a Management Buy Out

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Our products

A wide range of masterbatches for film and sheet applications

Marketed under the Bactiglas™ trademark masterbatches and powders food packing through to medical devices.

A wide range of masterbatches for film, sheet and injection moulding applications

Wells offer a bespoke additive masterbatch and compounding service

Exothermic and endothermic masterbatches and powders for extrusion and injection moulding processes.

A range of biopolymer and biobased materials for extrusion and injection moulding applications.

Wells additive masterbatch and compound contract manufacturing services

Moisture absorbing masterbatches for all extrusion and injection moulding processes

A wide range of bespoke flame retardant masterbatch and compound solutions.

Masterbatches to enhance point of sale items with fragrances or eliminate unwanted mal-odours from recycled feedstocks

A range of masterbatches sold under the Reverte™ trademark for providing a biodegradable property to polyolefins

Masterbatches to improve the quality and aesthetics of extruded polymer, reducing waste and energy consumption.

A range of compounds to aid in the purging, cleaning and shut down procedures of extrusion equipment.

Masterbatches and compounds which provide an enhanced and controlled slip property to extruded and injection moulded articles.

Masterbatches to enhance stability polymers during processing, in use and during recycling suitable for a wide range of applications and processes

Masterbatches to enhance the UV stability of polymers during suitable for a wide range of applications and processes