Norner takes a role in our sustainable future with capability and competence in Biopolymers. Our high focus brings substantial value and increased speed to customer’s bioplastics projects.  This is supported by broad industrial expertise in plastics from polymer properties to application performance.

We have hands on experience with biopolymers from recipe development. Our technology centre enable that the various aspects of these polymers can be tested like polymer. characterisation, compounding, processing, performance testing on standard specimens or packaging prototypes.

Project examples

• Strategic technical studies of the suitability of bio sources for polymers
• Norner evaluates bio-polymerisation in a cost/complexity/benefit scenario
• Bio polymers as neat solutions or as composites are studied versus end applications
• Conversion to end products and documentation of end use performance of biopolymer
• Development of new and enhanced properties and applications for biopolymers

• Catalytic polymerisation, modification, processing and testing of polymers from CO2
• Processing and testing of commercially available bioplastics like starch based, PLA, PBS, PCL and PHA types in film and moulding lines
• Patent and literature surveys on the converting of various raw materials to bioplastics
• Chemical modifications of starch to make it plastic

With our facilities for catalyst synthesis and preparation together with the advanced range of autoclave polymerisation reactors, we are well equipped to carry out development projects in all polyolefin catalysts, materials and technologies. The experienced team can advise how to implement the results of our projects directly into a large plant facility.

Additionally, we have been active in research and in catalyst and process studies for several other polymers like PS and PVC.

A special field where we have been extensively involved in is the development of polymerisation of CO2 and the performance and application of this polymer.

If you are looking for a partner for development of catalysts, polymerisation studies or research in polymer technology, Norner can be a candidate to consider.

Project examples

• Catalyst synthesis and carrier technology
• Catalyst development and optimisation
• Olefin process optimisation
• Polymerisation and process studies
• Process development and upscaling
• New, green and sustainable technology
• CO₂ chemistry to chemicals and polymers
• Plant optimization; process and market fit 

New technologies - Catalysis and polymerisation

• Examples of our achievements are inventions for trimodal HDPE and multimodal PE Metallocene.
• These technologies show improved product performance and increased production economy.
• Expanded assets and capabilities in industrial small test pilots and have have conducted client projects for increased profitability for a variety of olefin and polyolefin processes.
• We have conducted studies on optimizing alkane hydrogenation and alkene dehydrogenation.

 Read more about our Polymerisation laboratories

Norner provides sustainable solutions, consultancy, verifications and testing of polymer materials for the energy industry. Norner contributes to develop high quality, innovative and sustainable polymer solutions for demanding requirements within the energy segment.

Norner deliver support within:

• Cost effective solutions
• Materials for harsh environments
• Performance assessment of new solutions
• World class additive and filler expertise
• Lifetime prediction
• Quality evaluation and improvement
• Sustainable solutions for a circular economy

Our plastic processing pilot centre gives you opportunities to carry out experiments and trials which is not possible on production lines due to cost and size as well as risk. We are experienced in performing processing studies of various kinds on our lines which cover:

• Twin screw compounding
• Injection moulding
• Extrusion blow moulding
• Cast film extrusion
• Blown film extrusion
• MDO stretching line
• Thermoforming
• Rotational moulding
• Small scale extruders

 Project examples

• Industrial scale moulding or film trials
• Study effect of processing conditions on product properties
• Product and material testing
• Material evaluation and selection
• Product and process optimisation
• Quality improvement
• Product and failure investigations

Norway Health Tech is a non-for-profit member organisation, representing the full value chain of healthcare.

Norway Health Tech’s mission is to improve quality in treatment and care by developing and industrializing world class health solutions through our members and eco-system.

Norner is a member of Norway Health Tech and we contribute with:

• Comprehensive verification and testing laboratory for medical devices and medical, consumer and food packaging systems according to specifications and/or regulatory standards for product properties, life time verification, high purity solutions and functionality.
• Development of sustainable material solutions based on virgin, bio based and recycled materials.
• Prototyping and selection of production process in own plastics processing centre or at selected partners in Norner network.
• Packaging development and material selection in our R&D material and processing laboratory.
• More than 40 years of industrial experience, working globally with clients in the whole plastic value chain.

Pharmaceutical packaging and medical devices

Our experts support you with international regulations for polymers used in food contact and medical applications.

The healthcare market has stringent requirements for product safety, quality and consistency.

• The authorities require extensive documentation regarding regulatory compliance for materials used in pharmaceutical applications.
• Norner has long experience in polymers used in healthcare packaging and medical devices. Being an independent plastics institute Norner operates as a cooperation partner to clients.
• Norner has leading expertise in plastics and packaging including additives, catalysts, monomers, polymer structure and characterization. 
• Our expert group has broad knowledge in international regulations for polymers used in food contact and medical applications as well as REACH regulation.

Norner services

Testing of European Pharmacopoeia standards

The European Pharmacopoeia is a collection of quality standard for medical substances aimed for testing.

Testing of materials for medical segments

Polyolefines

• Polyethylene without additives for Containers for preparations for Parenteral and for Ophthalmic Preparations
• Polyethylene with additives for Containers for preparations for Parenteral and for Ophthalmic Preparations
• Polypropylene for Containers and Closures for Parenteral and Ophthalmic Preparations. Plastic additives

Polymer long term stability studies

• Advanced polymer analytic methods are used to follow if any changes in polymer structure, composition and properties is taking place during exposure in defined media and conditions
• Polymer degradation studies (ref. ISO10993-13)
• Chromatography testing

Polymer additive and composition analysis

• Detailed polymer composition and additive analysis  in order to confirm compliance to Eur. Pharmacopoeia regulation regarding additives
• Chromatography testing

Investigation and detection of potential contaminants/foreign matters in products

• Microscopy center
• Chromatography testing

Quality control and product consistency

• Raw material  batch- to- batch quality and consistency
• Final product control
• Chromatography testing
• Rheology testing

Wide range of analytical and chemical services

• Analysis of additives and monomers in packaging
• (EC) 1935/2004, (EU) 10/2011, REACH and FDA expertise
• Overall migration testing according to EN 1186
• Identification of possible SML components
• Specific migration testing according to EN 13130
• Notification services for US and EU food contact regulations
• Heavy metals in toys
• Analysis of volatiles 

We give advice regarding selection and testing of different  polymer grades available in the market for medical applications.

Read more about Heltcare

The packaging industry and value chain is a high focussed area at Norner. We have both the expertise, high quality processing pilots and a wide range of test and analytical capabilities tailored to it focus on innovation and technical solutions in processing and products of plastic materials for rigid packaging. 

Support to moulding industry and a technology partner in material, process, product development

• Rigid plastic packaging for food, consumer and industrial products is a large and important business. A wide range of moulded products and packaging applications require specific physical properties for different demands.
• The final performance is influenced by the choice of material type and grade, material recipes and additives, mould design and processing.
• It becomes increasingly important to understand these relationships vs. requirements for the packers, end users and legislation.
• We have the competence, equipment and capability required to support the moulding industry and be a technology partner in material, process and product development, troubleshooting and support. 

Norner services

Material evaluation and selection

• Industrial moulding trials, product and material testing, international test standards, raw material quality, selection strategy and harmonisation, material recycling.

Product and process development

• Operational excellence, onsite technical support, product development, improvement and optimisation, harmonisation of additives and masterbatches and simplification of recipes.
• Quality improvement
• Product and failure investigations
• Tailor made seminars and training
• IPR strategy and assistance
• REACH and EU food directives 
• Oxygen transmission rate calculator

Our technology centre has been a centre of excellence in additives since the 1980’ies which has given us a unique position in the industry. Additives are used in plastics in order to achieve improved properties and performance. Some examples are:

• Degradation stability by antioxidants
• UV stabilisers
• Nucleating agents
• Antistatic and Antifog additives
• Slip and antiblock
• Flame retardants

Additive development projects involve studies of how such properties of the plastic material can be improved. On one side Norner is equipped with processing pilots for prototyping and specialised lab testing for evaluation of the effect of specific additives and the dose. On the other hand, Norner have competence of hundreds of grades of these additives and a relation to the relevant suppliers.

Project examples

• Additive cost and performance optimisation
• Functionality studies vs grade, processing and dosing
• Longevity, degradation in heat or UV
• Improved resistance to challenging chemical environments
• Food contact and medical applications
• High purity solutions
• Regulatory services
• Chemical safety
• REACH and environmental impact
• Benchmarking

Any polymer grade is tailored in its design and performance to a processing technology and specific end use applications like for instance the use of HDPE for pipe extrusion vs blow moulding of packaging containers. Polymer development is utilising our expertise, know-how and understanding of both the polymer structure, the application and the market to identify new potential innovations.

Polymer development projects will involve several of Norner’s disciplines like polymerisation, processing, application experts and laboratories for testing and verification of performances.

Polymer grades are under continuous evolution in order to improve specific properties.

Project examples

• Composites and nanomaterials
• Higher strength for down gauging
• Improved conversion economy
• Sealing for advanced food applications
• Optimal shrinkage performance for advanced moulding applications
• Melt strength for advanced processing performance
• Optimal flexibility/stiffness performance
• Low warpage for moulded products
• Optimal design for low migration applications
• Reduced carbon footprint
• High purity solutions
• Benchmarking

 Our long experience in R&D of polyethylene and polypropylene resins have given us unique knowledge in the structure-property relations of polyolefins such as:

• The effect of comonomer on morphology and properties
• The effect of different catalysts on molecular weight distribution (MWD)
• The effect of MWD on processing and properties
• The effect of MWD, processing and additives on crystallisation behaviour and morphology
• The effect of morphology on the strength of flexible packaging