A multi-stage treatment is required to eliminate these odours sufficiently, allowing the pellets to be processed into high-quality end products for applications in industries such as packaging, automotive, and consumer goods.
Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH (NGR) and Kreyenborg GmbH & Co. KG have announced a strategic collaboration to sustainably enhance the quality of the recycled product through innovative technologies aimed at reducing odours and emissions.
This partnership combines NGR's know-how in efficient recycling of plastic waste streams with Kreyenborg's innovations in heat treatment of recycled pellets.
A modular, energy-efficient system has been developed that minimizes unpleasant odours in post-consumer plastics, thereby increasing the acceptance and potential applications of recyclables in high-quality applications.
Maximum Cleaning in the Melting Phase of Plastic
The process begins with an exceptionally efficient regranulation step based on NGR’s proven C:GRAN cascade technology. An initial cleaning step occurs in the cutter compactor, where warm exhaust air from the cylinder cooling system flows through the preheated material.
Optionally, a degassing zone can already be integrated before the melt filter to remove volatile contaminants. In the subsequent melt filter, all solid particles are removed from the melt stream. After filtration, the melt is fed into a highperformance degassing zone within a cascade extruder.
This "power venting section" acts as a surface generator and, along with an efficient vacuum system, facilitates maximum degassing performance. The goal is to remove volatile impurities from the melt as thoroughly as possible. After passing through the cascade, the melt is granulated, and the granules are transported to the Kreyenborg IR-Fresh Conditioner for post-treatment.
Thermal-Physical Post-Cleaning using the Kreyenborg IR-Fresh Conditioner
In the second crucial step for overall process quality, remaining low-molecular impurities are reliably removed through a thermal-physical cleaning process in the IRFresh Conditioner. This specially designed container maintains the material at the optimal temperature range for decontamination using a stream of hot air.
The precise interaction of the process parameters ensures consistently excellent deodorization and decontamination results, as evidenced by numerous successful tests conducted on various material streams.
