WASHING | INNOVATION
Enhancing performance to meet recyclate quality goals and the need for integrated wastewater treatment are the focus of suppliers of materials and systems for washing, writes Mark Holmes
Improved washing in the recycling operation
Developments in washing and drying technologies are important for raising the quality of recycled plastics and as a result closing the loop and producing recyclates that can offer similar proper- ties to virgin materials. New additives are being introduced that can improve the washing process and shorten drying times, as well as enhance the performance in de-inking, de-labelling and de-metallising. Improvements in these operations are also at the forefront of the developers of complete washing and drying systems. In addition, these manufacturers are addressing the increasing demand for efficient wastewater treatment to be integrated into washing lines. Additives can play an important role in washing and drying technologies for plastics recycling, reports Evonik. “There is currently high demand for additives in plastics recycling and the market itself is very dynamic,” says Ido Offenbach, Ameri- cas Segment Manager. “We are observing high capacity of new recyclers all over the world, especially in Europe. As a result, the quantity of the
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recycled plastic is consistently increasing. There- fore, it is not surprising there is a need for additives to optimise the washing step and decrease the drying time. To achieve these targets, Evonik has developed additives for the washing and floating steps that can enhance de-labelling, de-inking and de-metallising, as well as reduce the water content in the recycled material which results in lower energy consumption in re-compounding.” Offenbach adds that the washing process is far
from perfect and, therefore, optimisation is needed. Currently, most developments are typically focused on improving the efficiency of the cleaning process. Evonik is primarily developing solutions to improve efficiency and minimise upstream problems. For example, re-agglomerated inks can be partly removed with a melt filter/sieve in the production of rLDPE film. However, this slows down production. Furthermore, malodour issues will appear from the thermal degradation of the printing ink resin materi- als. Evonik has developed a biodegradable de-watering additive that reduces water uptake
July/August 2021 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 13
Main image: Efficient
washing is a vital step in producing higher quality flakes
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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