Polymer Testing
Lab Scale Mixing & Extrusion Equipment
Developing new polymer materials requires equipment that delivers accurate, repeatable processing while using relatively small quantities of material. Laboratory mixing and extrusion systems allow researchers, manufacturers and quality control laboratories to develop new formulations, evaluate process performance and confidently scale successful products towards production.
Buckham supplies advanced laboratory mixing and extrusion equipment from COLLIN Lab & Pilot Solutions, supporting universities, research organisations and manufacturers throughout the UK and Ireland. From compact laboratory extruders through to pilot-scale processing lines, we help customers select equipment that supports research, development, quality assurance and small-scale production.
Whether you’re developing new polymers, testing recycled materials, evaluating additives or creating multi-layer film structures, our experienced team can help identify the most appropriate laboratory processing solution for your application.
Overview
Laboratory mixing and extrusion for polymer research and pilot production
From compact laboratory extruders to pilot-scale processing lines, we help customers select equipment that supports research, development, quality assurance and small-scale production.
What is laboratory mixing and extrusion?
Laboratory mixing and extrusion allows polymer materials to be processed under carefully controlled conditions using relatively small quantities of material.
Unlike full-scale production equipment, laboratory systems are designed to provide maximum flexibility while minimising material consumption. This enables researchers to evaluate multiple formulations, compare processing conditions and optimise material performance before investing in pilot or production-scale manufacturing.
Modern laboratory processing equipment can support every stage of polymer development, from initial material screening through to pilot production and product validation.
Typical applications include:
- Polymer compounding
- Rapid polymer compound formulation screening
- Material development
- Masterbatch development
- Polymer recycling research
- Additive evaluation
- Extrusion trials
- Film development
- Pipe and profile development
- Quality control
- University research
Applications
Why Invest in Laboratory Mixing & Extrusion Equipment?
Laboratory processing equipment provides researchers with complete control over material development while significantly reducing development costs.
Accelerate Product Development
Laboratory equipment enables multiple material formulations to be evaluated quickly using only small quantities of material.
This allows research teams to develop new products more efficiently while reducing raw material consumption.
Reduce Material Costs
Research projects often involve expensive polymers or specialist additives.
Laboratory-scale processing minimises waste while allowing multiple development trials to be completed using only a few grams or kilograms of material.
Improve Process Understanding
Modern extrusion systems provide detailed control over processing parameters including temperature, pressure, screw speed and residence time.
This enables researchers to understand how materials behave during processing before scaling up production.
Support Pilot Production
Many organisations require more than simple laboratory testing.
Pilot-scale extrusion systems bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial production, allowing new products to be validated before full-scale manufacture.
Flexible Research Applications
Laboratory mixing and extrusion equipment supports a wide range of materials including thermoplastics, elastomers, engineering polymers, recycled materials, composites and biodegradable polymers.
Selection
Choosing the Right Laboratory Mixing & Extrusion Equipment
Every research laboratory has different processing requirements.
Selecting the most appropriate equipment depends on factors including:
- Material type
- Batch size
- Research objectives
- Production simulation
- Film, pipe or profile development
- Compounding requirements
- Future expansion plans
- Temperature for torque / sheer requirements
Buckham works closely with customers to understand these requirements before recommending laboratory equipment that supports both current research and future product development.
Our COLLIN Lab & Pilot Solutions Range
Buckham supplies a comprehensive range of laboratory mixing and extrusion equipment from COLLIN Lab & Pilot Solutions.
Our solutions include:
- Single Screw Extruders
- Twin Screw Compounding Extruders
- Laboratory Two Roll Mills
- Hot Presses
- Pressure Filter Tests
- Teach Line Systems
- Pilot Scale Extrusion Lines
Whether you’re developing new polymer formulations, producing laboratory samples or validating manufacturing processes, we can help identify the right solution for your laboratory.
Applications
Which industries use laboratory mixing & extrusion equipment?
Laboratory processing systems support organisations across a wide range of industries.
Polymer Manufacturing
Developing new polymer formulations and evaluating processing performance.
Universities & Research
Supporting teaching, material science research and collaborative innovation projects.
Recycling & Sustainable Materials
Evaluating recycled polymers, bio-based materials and sustainable packaging solutions.
Medical & Healthcare
Developing specialist polymers used in medical devices, tubing and healthcare applications.
Industrial Manufacturing
Supporting product development, quality assurance and process optimisation across manufacturing operations.
Volpak
Volpak supplies high-speed pouch packaging systems for wet pet food, semi-liquid pet food, premium treats and snacks. Their advanced machinery delivers reliable filling and sealing across a wide variety of pouch formats, making it ideal for manufacturers looking to maximise productivity while maintaining excellent pack quality.
Senzani
Senzani provides automated cartoning and secondary packaging systems, making it an ideal solution for products such as gravy bones, dog biscuits, cat snacks and retail-ready packaging.
Umbra Packaging
Umbra specialises in high-performance filling and bagging systems for large bags of dry pet food, helping manufacturers automate the handling of higher-volume products efficiently and reliably.
Hydrolock
Hydrolock offers specialist filling solutions where accurate filling, hygienic production and reliable performance are essential for liquid and semi-liquid applications.
Fully automated sterilization systems that include product handling. Ideal for petfood pouches on high speed production lines.
Intamac Machinery
Intamac provides compact, cost-effective pre-made pouch packaging systems that are particularly well suited to wet pet food, semi-liquid products, treats and snacks, making them an excellent option for smaller manufacturers or businesses introducing automation for the first time.
Support
Supporting research, innovation and scale-up
Successful polymer development requires confidence that laboratory results can be translated into production. COLLIN laboratory processing equipment enables researchers to understand material behaviour, optimise formulations and simulate production processes before committing to larger manufacturing investments.
By combining laboratory-scale mixing, compounding and extrusion within a single development programme, manufacturers can accelerate innovation while reducing development costs and technical risk.
Machine in Action
Volpak pet food pouch packaging in operation
Sustainability
Supporting sustainable manufacturing
As manufacturers continue to reduce waste and improve sustainability, thermoforming technology continues to evolve. Modern machines process a wide variety of recyclable and recycled materials while improving material utilisation and reducing unnecessary waste during production.
Combined with efficient process control and lower energy consumption, today’s thermoforming systems can support manufacturers looking to improve both environmental performance and operational efficiency.
Gallery
Laboratory processing in operation
Industry
Supporting growth in the pet food industry
Consumer expectations continue to evolve, with increasing demand for premium products, recyclable packaging, improved convenience and greater product variety.
Modern packaging automation helps manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce waste and introduce new packaging formats while maintaining consistently high production standards.
By selecting the right packaging equipment, manufacturers can improve productivity today while creating a platform for future growth and product innovation.
Why Buckham
Why choose Buckham?
Selecting laboratory processing equipment requires more than choosing machinery — understanding your materials, development objectives and future production plans is equally important.
Buckham works alongside COLLIN Lab & Pilot Solutions to recommend laboratory and pilot-scale processing equipment tailored to each customer’s individual requirements. From equipment selection through to installation, commissioning, training and ongoing support, we help organisations invest in processing technology that delivers reliable performance and long-term value.
Frequently asked questions
What is laboratory mixing and extrusion?
Laboratory mixing and extrusion is the small-scale processing of polymer materials to support research, development, quality control and pilot production.
Which materials can be processed?
Equipment can process thermoplastics, elastomers, engineering polymers, recycled plastics, composites, masterbatches and many specialist materials.
Who uses laboratory extrusion equipment?
Laboratory extrusion systems are widely used by universities, research organisations, polymer manufacturers, quality control laboratories and product development teams.
What are the benefits of laboratory-scale processing?
Laboratory systems reduce material consumption, improve process understanding, accelerate product development and support scale-up into commercial manufacturing.
How do I choose the right laboratory processing equipment?
The most appropriate solution depends on your materials, research objectives, required processing methods and future production plans. Buckham can help assess your requirements and recommend the most suitable COLLIN equipment.
Speak to Buckham about your laboratory processing requirements
If you’re looking to invest in laboratory mixing and extrusion equipment or expand your polymer research capabilities, we’d be pleased to discuss your requirements.
Our experienced team can help you identify the most appropriate COLLIN laboratory processing solution for your application, supporting research, innovation and product development now and into the future.