TECHNOLOGY | MELT FILTRATION


tures capable of maintaining tight quality control even when recycling streams include mixed polymers or post-consumer waste with residual adhesives and barriers. “The different filter systems are combined with other Maag products to meet customer require- ments, providing our customers with a tailor-made solution for the entire value chain from a single source,” said Uwe Kellner, Managing Director Maag Ettlinger.


Emphasis was placed on ease of use and


Above: Functional principle of the RSFgenius self-cleaning, process-con- stant rotary filtration system from Gneuss


challenging material streams. Erema says it is expanding in-house manufactur-


ing of filter components at 3S, a fellow Erema Group company, in Wartberg, Germany, and investing in new production and heat treatment technologies to increase vertical integration. The LF 812 is available either as a single version or as a twin configuration for more demanding applications. An increase in throughput is also the result of development in Maag Ettlinger’s established ERF series with the new ERF 2000 filter. The ultimate aim is to develop a continuous filter system with drum screens that is suitable for recycling process- es with high quality requirements, high demands on screen service life, and throughputs of up to 18 tonnes/hr. The company says the ERF series sets the benchmark for a sustainable recycling process, as the melt loss of ERF filters is low in comparison to other filter systems. Ettlinger’s new ECO 500 series extends continuous filtration into medium- scale lines, handling up to 4,000 kg/h. Based on a rotating drum with self-cleaning scrapers and modular screen assembly, these units are designed specifically for PET recycling where black speck removal and consistent melt quality are top priorities.


Multi-stage strategies Beyond single improvements, multi-stage melt filtration strategies are gaining traction as recyclers turn to highly contaminated and mixed streams that challenge conventional systems with double- stage filtration configurations pairing a coarse filter with a fine filter are emerging as a popular and effective strategy. Combined systems can facilitate continuous operation for months and minimise melt loss, which is crucial for profitability in large- volume recycling. These developments reflect a broader trend toward integrated filtration architec-


28 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | April 2026


integration into complete systems during the development of the new Basic Recycling Filter (BRF) disc filter from Maag Ettlinger. At the heart of the system is the rotor which lifts the contamination from the screen, with the frequency of cleaning being adjusted to the level of contamination. The contamination is discharged via a hydraulic system to ensure that the valve can be opened safely without an explosive release of plastic, even in the case of organic contaminants. “The main advan- tages of the BRF series are consistent recyclate quality, intuitive operation, and easy integration into the Maag ecosystem,” said Stefan Schierl, Product Manager. Since the end of 2025, the BRF 70 (700 mm size) has been available in addition to the BRF 50 (500 mm) and BRF 60 (600 mm). The BRF 70 has a filter area of 3,739 cm² and is very well suited for recycling applications with higher throughputs. In addition, robust and inexpensive screen discs ensure low operating costs. A wide range of filter finenesses from 150 µm to 2,000 µm are available to respond to changing requirements. The BRF is operated via an intuitive control system that allows easy remote access via the Maag IoT gateway, with the integration of automation and digital control systems proving to be another emerging trend in melt filtration. The company says that systems are increasingly incorporating pressure-differential monitoring, automatic screen change logic, and predictive maintenance alerts, reducing operator intervention, process variability, and unplanned stoppages. Automation also supports fine filtration down to 20 µm or less where required for stringent product specifications such as those in bottle-to-bottle recycling or technical compounding. The Maag IoT Gateway not only enables remote access to Maag products, but also the monitoring of process parameters. In the event of a tolerance violation, users can be notified by email. In addi- tion, it supports AI-supported analysis of all parameters in the planning stage, which assists in process optimisation.


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


IMAGE: GNEUSS


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