PET RECYCLING | TECHNOLOGY


in order to generate food-grade and non-food- grade recyclate. Another Austrian company,NGR, claims to be technology leader in liquid state polycondensation (LSP) technology, which it incorporates into its P:React recycling units. With LSP, the reaction speed in the PET melt is significantly higher than in SSP, the company says, adding that all impurities are removed from the PET melt to such an extent that the neces- sary requirements for food packaging, including water bottle grade, are achieved. The process produces EFSA- and FDA-compliant products. NGR has just expanded its PET pilot plant with a second LSP line. Bottle-to-bottle trials and other applications can be tested. NGR says that, compared to other systems, its


process offers an energy-efficient and better melt cleaning process. IV is constantly measured and adjusted to the customer’s target value via auto- mated control of the vacuum unit. This makes it possible to finely tune the material quality to the customer’s product specifications, including ultra-tight IV control, which is essential for down- stream production. No addition of nitrogen or similar process aids are required for IV increase. P:React units can be coupled directly with


production processes such as film manufacture, spun yarn production, and the manufacture of preforms. “This eliminates a complete re-melting step and the associated IV degradation resulting from a downstream process,” NGR notes. “The elimination of the pelletising process again significantly increases energy efficiency.” Amut has an eye on recycling PET food trays,


use of which continues to grow, especially with lifestyle changes imposed by Covid-19, it says. The company has developed turn-key solutions suitable for this application, with lines including sorting and


Above: The recycling of production waste in the manufacture of BOPET biaxially oriented films is already common practice, but Erema says production becomes an extra challenge if PCR is also used. It worked with Lindauer Dornier to fulfil a customer’s requirement by integrating components for the first time in a recycling line for a film manufacturer in Europe. The line combines an Erema Intarema 1512 TE recycling machine with a Lindauer Dornier melt filter for fine filtration


washing sections. The Amut Ecotech division, which specialises in sorting plants, provides the front end of the washing line. Amut says it can achieve outstanding yield both in sorting and washing, minimising the generation of PET fines. It says the washing lines remove the highest level of dirtiness and residual organics typical of this kind of packaging, normally much higher than post- consumer bottles. Bandera’s Revotech technology, which can also be used for sheet and film applications, combines innovative extrusion, converting, and recycling technologies. It also includes the pre- and post- treatment phases of the material. Revotech can be used for production of rigid film for thermoforming and industrial use, in food and non-food grades. Patented microwave heating and drying technol-


ogy makes it possible to process post-consumer (PCR) PET extremely quickly, the company says. “In this way it is possible to directly feed amorphous material that will be crystallised, dehumidified and dedusted in the same process,” says Senior Sales & Product Manager Andrea Carraro. “In addition to having extremely low energy consumption, the process manages to


reduce or even avoid the typical yellowing effect, even without the use of controlled


oxygen-free atmospheres.” Revotech incorporates Bandera’s PURe purification process, which can be incorpo-


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com March/April 2021 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 29


Left: Liquid state polycon- densation is incorporated into NGR’s P:React unit


IMAGE: DORNIER


IMAGE: P:REACT


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