Peak Performance Compounding Inc. has expanded through the addition of two twin-screw extruders.
In a news release, officials with Peak in Leominster, Mass., said the COVID-19 pandemic "resulted in an unprecedented deceleration of new product development worldwide," but in the last year manufacturing and innovation "have witnessed a global resurgence."
Peak "is proud to lead the charge, providing crucial support to manufacturers with small production volumes for new product development," they added.
The new extruders — one 22-millimeter line and one 23mm line — have strand cut, underwater and waterless pelletizing capabilities. They offer pre- and post-drying functions, downstream feeding and pre- and post-blending and mixing.
Officials said the new equipment allows Peak to provide "high-quality, small-lot compound batches, ensuring product integrity and reducing excess waste and costs associated with larger extruders."
They added that trends in medical and industrial manufacturing towards more personalized and advanced technologies have increased the need for services like small-volume compounding.
"Product development is one of the most important facets of the manufacturing process," President Todd Marchand said. "The integration of these cutting-edge twin-screw extruders affirms our companywide dedication to no minimum order quantity."
Earlier this year, Peak launched Synnergy-brand compounds for medical and industrial applications. The new materials are a custom line of low-friction compounds for single and dual-layer tube extrusion, injection molding and blow molding applications.
Peak was founded in 2019 by compounding industry veterans Marchand, Robert Tocci Jr., Michael Carota and Jonas Angus. The firm offers pre-colored compounds based on a wide range of resins for several markets.