SHREDDING | TECHNOLOGY


Evolving shredders take on greater role


Plastics shredding technology is increasingly being asked to meet process control needs. Chris Saunders reports on recent developments


Shredding, once treated as a purely mechanical pre-processing step, is undergoing a quiet but consequential technological transformation in plastics recycling. Historically, shredding focused on throughput and size reduction. Today, it is increasingly viewed as a process-critical control point with a key shift being towards uniform particle generation. Development work in the sector now targets tightly controlled flake sizes with accuracy rates often exceeding 95%. Modern shredders are evolving into advanced systems combining mechanical robustness with real-time control. The focus of R&D work is broad: variable torque drive systems dynamically adjust to heterogeneous inputs, preventing stalls and optimis- ing energy use; adjustable shear gaps and screening systems allow operators to tune particle size distribu- tion in-line; and multi-edge blade geometries extend tool life and maintain cutting precision across mixed material streams. This indicates an emerging demand for shredding systems to be configurable units within digitally managed production lines. A major recent development has been the


convergence of shredding with upstream and downstream intelligence. Many recycling facilities


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


now deploy AI-driven sorting and material charac- terisation, using deep learning to classify plastics by polymer type, contamination level, and use-case history. The result is closed-loop process optimisa- tion, where shredding is dynamically aligned with material variability. In mechanical recycling, uniform flakes improve washing, drying, and pelletising efficiency, leading to higher-quality recyclate, while in chemical recycling, precise size control enhances conversion efficiency and product consistency. At IFAT 2026 in Germany in May, recycling


specialist Lindner showcased its latest innovations in shredding technology and – after its official launch last year – the new Urraco Evo mobile series for plastics and other materials was presented to a broader audience. The mobile twin-shaft shredder has been specifically developed for demanding heavy-duty applications and combines impressive power, a quick-change function, and Lindner’s proven shaft versatility. Lindner has been produc- ing mobile shredders at its Austrian sites since 2012, but the company considers the launch of the new Urraco Evo series as breaking new ground. “We have responded to the changing market requirements – away from a primary segment of


May/June 2026 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 31


Main image: Cutting unit of the Lindner Micromat series shredder


IMAGE: LINDNER


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