SIZE REDUCTION | TECHNOLOGY


Shredding technology in the plastics recycling process is becoming increasingly sophisticated to handle a wider range of materials with different requirements. Mark Holmes reports on new trends and developments


Serious shredders take on the toughest jobs


Shredding technology is an essential step at the start of a plastics recycling operation. Different types of plastics require different shredding operations with specific cutting configurations, power requirements and output sizing capabilities. Now shredders are increasingly required to be flexible and adaptable to a wider range of duties. New developments in shredding technology are playing a crucial role in the plastics circular economy, as plastics recycling becomes increas- ingly important to the industry and society as a whole. “The industry has known for a long time that plastic ‘waste’ is a significant problem,” says Marcus Brew, Managing Director, Untha UK. “However, many of the difficulties associated with processing it for reuse and recycling – which often stem from further up the value chain – have deterred a number of operators from investing too much in this arena. But, over the past two years in particular,


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plastics has become such a ‘hot topic’ that it is now a concern among the masses, rather than the few.” He continues: “We have seen plastics reuse and


recycling specialists position themselves so they can process more material, more efficiently, through bigger plants. And the savvier of shredder manufac- turers have collaborated with such organisations to design technologies that will help them thrive. Bigger or more sophisticated plants may represent a greater initial capital outlay, for example, but if they can achieve increased throughput tonnages, with lower whole life running costs, and safer, more effective use of human resources, the business case – and payback period – is strong.” Brew adds that he does not necessarily believe


that the industry is facing new plastic challenges, but that a greater ‘can do’ mind-set is emerging among the more pioneering of processors, which means they are striving to solve problems that perhaps


May/June 2020 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 13


Main image: Manufacturers say shredders now need to be adaptable to cope with a wide variety of plastics waste streams


IMAGE: DAVID ELDRIDGE


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