LIST Technology explores new applications for high-viscosity technology
- LIST controls its entire supply chain now after buying a former supplier
Polymers, chemicals, fibres, oil, medicines, food and biomass – these are different materials with distinct processing parameters but they all have one thing in common: LIST Technology. With its KneaderReactor technology, LIST provides a distinctly engineered solution to fit the specific industrial process requirements of a wide variety of sectors.
Since founder Heinz List established LIST Technology in 1966, the company has always strived to support clients by introducing environment-friendly, sustainable and efficient process technologies for viscous, sticky and crumbly products. From sublimation, torrefaction and crystallisation to polycondensation, drying and devolatilisation, LIST has set technological benchmarks with the KneaderReactor.
When it comes to high-viscous, challenging processing, LIST is the company to call
“When it comes to high-viscous, challenging processing, LIST is the company to call. The market might be more familiar with many conventional process machines, but we are the better and more advanced alternative. Our kneaders support the development of future processes, creating long-term value for customers,” says CEO Karsten Güdemann.
A name trusted by major chemical companies, LIST seeks to broaden its customer base to include medium-sized companies. Removing entry barriers for smaller customers, LIST developed a compact multipurpose laboratory unit that simplifies the development work while delivering high-quality results.
For LIST, serving customers goes beyond supplying them with the relevant solutions – it is about meeting their comprehensive needs. Aiming to offer its clients better turnaround times, LIST has proactively taken control of its complete supply chain with the acquisition of one of its former Switzerland-based manufacturing suppliers.
“In the past, we relied on partners to manufacture our machines. We have decided to take the whole manufacturing chain into our hands to give us more flexibility,” Güdemann says.
Envisioning every project as an opportunity to develop an innovative solution, LIST continues to identify new areas of application for the KneaderReactor. One is in refinery and another is cellulose-based fibres.
Working on a solution specifically designed for the refinery industry, LIST plans to launch the product this year. Once the product is launched, the company is open to partnerships with licensers to tackle major projects requiring specialised equipment and expertise.
LIST is also working with several companies on a solution for sustainable fibres for fabric production. Seeing as how the current available technology for viscose is environmentally hazardous, the company is exploring alternative options for green manufacturing of cellulose-based fibres.
“We are part of the laboratory development and we have running pilot plants. By this year, we envision the first industrial plant,” Güdemann says. “With the rapid developments in the textile industries in China and India, these two markets are crucial for us.”
For LIST, China is slowly moving from traditional industrial processes and is steadily making its way towards more sophisticated methods, specifically in producing their own new products. It is for this reason that LIST is eventually planning on opening a test centre in China, modelled after the LIST Test Centre in Switzerland. In the test centre, companies can rent or use LIST products to evaluate and confirm their process feasibility while identifying and addressing potential challenges.
By letting customers experience its technology first-hand, LIST hopes to raise its profile in China to meet new customers. The Swiss company is also considering opening a LIST Academy training centre there to educate students and customers about kneading technology.
With many developments in Asia, LIST further strengthened its support in the region with the opening of its South Korean office in 2017. Together with its Singapore and China offices, LIST endeavours to reach out to more companies seeking innovative process solutions.
“The industry knows us because of our more than 50 years of history. But people retire and grow old, so we pursue new approaches to reach the new generation of developers and engineers,” Güdemann says.
