Norner is an independent, global development and test centre, active in the whole plastics value chain from advanced catalytic polymerisation to end products in several application areas. We have an extensive industrial experience and we support customers innovation projects and development. This is exemplified for our key disciplines below.
Innovation projects can mean that Norner takes responsibility for the full development or that Norner deliver parts or studies to our client. What is common for these projects is that they involve many laboratories who are working together with the researchers in multidiscipline projects.
When needed, our broad industry and academic network can be used to support value creation for our customers to have a “one-stop-shop” for innovation projects.
We are active in funded research and innovation projects and helping our clients with applications for such grants. Typically, we are involved in 10-15 funded research project at any time and these range from local and nationally funded projects to large EU funded R&I projects.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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