The kneader was developed by Heinz List, and the technology gained significant popularity in the processing industry immediately upon its introduction. In 1966, List stated that "processing high-concentration materials is more effective and economical than processing low-concentration ones." He believed that handling high-concentration materials-which implies using little to no solvent-maximizes process yield per unit volume. However, processing such materials is inherently complex and challenging, necessitating the development of new technologies. Consequently, he set out to develop a reliable process capable of handling phase changes in high-concentration materials-a method known as the "dry process."
Evolution in China
The kneader technology was introduced to China from the Soviet Union in 1967. It was brought in by the state-owned Nanjing 518 Factory-under the then-Ministry of the Fifth Machine-Building Industry-primarily for the production of nitrocellulose chips used in manufacturing nitro-based explosives. Following nearly five decades of development, Sichuan North Nitrocellulose Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of China North Industries Group Corporation) has grown into the world's largest production base for nitro-based explosives.
