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Advanced Pilot Plants Driving Innovation at Ballestra

Milano Pilot Plant: Multifunctional Excellence

Advanced Pilot Plants Driving Innovation at Ballestra

Ballestra's R&D department in Milan is home to a state-of-the-art multifunctional pilot plant designed to support the development of cutting-edge solutions in the chemical industry.

This facility is equipped with advanced technologies to simulate and optimize industrial processes, enabling precise scaling from laboratory to production.

Technological Capabilities of the Milano Pilot Plant

  • Sulfonation Falling Film Reactor: Capable of processing alcohols, ethoxylated and propylated alcohols, linear alkylbenzenes, heavy alkylates, olefins, methyl esters, and EO-PO products.
  • Methyl Ester Sulfonate Re-esterification and Bleaching Unit: Enhancing product purity and quality.
  • Wiped Film Evaporator and Vacuum Neutralizer: For efficient separation and purification processes.
  • Saponification Unit: Facilitating the development of innovative soap formulations.
  • Spray Dryer and Prilling Tower: Supporting diverse powder and granule production needs.
  • Multi-purpose Reactor: Designed for flexibility in various chemical reactions.
  • Agglomeration Unit (Non-Tower Powder Detergent Route): Enabling sustainable and efficient detergent production.
  • Granulator and Flaker: For customized particle size and product forms.
  • Modular Multifunctional Units: Offering adaptability for diverse process trials.

Alkoxylation Pilot Plant: Enhanced Loop Reactor (ELR)

Ballestra's Alkoxylation Pilot Plant features the advanced Enhanced Loop Reactor (ELR), offering superior control and flexibility for multi-product manufacturing. Designed for batch sizes ranging from 50 to 150 kg, this pilot plant integrates intrinsic safety and explosion-proof concepts, ensuring maximum operational safety and reliability. It supports the development of tailored solutions for ethoxylation and propoxylation processes, driving innovation in surfactant production.

Busto Arsizio Soap Pilot Plant: Pioneering Soap Production

The Busto Arsizio facility houses a dedicated Soap Pilot Plant, developed to support laboratory and full-scale trials for soap production. A specialized team of chemists and process engineers work continuously to enhance process efficiency and product quality. The facility is open to customers for testing raw materials, intermediates, and finished products, ensuring the development of innovative and high-performing soap technologies.

Pratteln Pilot Plant: Precision in Chemical Processing

Located in Switzerland, Buss ChemTech's Pratteln Pilot Plant operates three specialized units equipped with pre-/post-treatment, filtration, and separation facilities.

This setup allows for rigorous testing and optimization of chemical processes, including the safe and efficient handling of complex reactions such as phosgenation. The Pratteln Pilot Plant is integral to ensuring process scalability and reliability for industrial applications.

Driving Innovation Through Pilot Plant Excellence

Ballestra's network of pilot plants plays a vital role in transforming innovative concepts into industrial-scale solutions. By combining state-of-the-art facilities with expert teams, Ballestra ensures continuous technological advancement and tailored solutions to meet evolving market demands.

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