TECHNOLOGY | RECYCLING LINES
While Bausano’s MD Twin Screw Extruders and E-GO R Single Screw Extruders are designed for recycling PVC and polyolefins respectively, the forward-thinking company says it is also collaborat- ing with the Politecnico/University of Turin in Italy on research into artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive maintenance. This partnership aims to create more efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, ensuring optimal operation and reduced waste through advanced AI-driven maintenance strategies.
Above: Bausano’s method starts with the customer’s specific polyal formula and then works out structured analyses to customise each extrusion line for manufactur- ing core tubes
is essential to increase its firmness and transform it into a manageable compound suitable for further processing. The final output is a robust tube with a smooth surface considered ideal for winding reels of cloth, film, paper, and other materials. Bausano’s method starts with the customer’s specific formula and then works out structured analyses to customise each extrusion line. Follow- ing a preliminary evaluation, the work is transferred to the company’s laboratory, where materials are analysed using a capillary rheometer to understand their viscosity as a function of the shear rate. Starting with the rheological characterisation of the molten material, Bausano’s team of engineers are able to optimise the design of the screw and extrusion head. A subsequent test, conducted on a Brabender plastograph, provides crucial informa- tion for predicting the behaviour of the cast material during all processing steps.
Rheology In this case, the use of the plastograph made it pos- sible to accurately record values for the mixture’s melting speed, rotor torque and energy required for the process. Using software for fluid-dynamic analysis, the data obtained was compared with the rheological characteristics of materials already known to be compatible with extrusion. The comparison showed that the process parameters of the polyal processed by the customer were in line with those of materials easily extruded using Bausano technology, ensuring optimal output levels in terms of both quantity and quality. “Bausano’s distinguishing feature lies in the know-how of its experts, declined in a consultative and customer-oriented approach,” said Marco Masiero, Extrusion Test Manager at Bausano. “Cutting-edge extrusion technologies, such as those developed by Bausano, open up new horizons in the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste.”
16 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | October 2024
Recompounding At NPE 2024, Italy-based Sirmax highlighted the successful integration of its US recycling and PP compounding facilities in Anderson, Indiana, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. “The vertical integration we have undertaken allows us to differentiate ourselves in the market and meet client demands for more sustainable materials in the automotive and household appliance sectors,” said Lorenzo Ferro, US country manager for Sirmax. “This is accom- plished without compromising on traceability and the high-quality standards required for premium virgin materials, which are already being supplied today.” The PP compounding plant has a capacity of 46,875 tonnes/yr and consists of seven lines, five dedicated to production and two to R&D activities. The recycling plant operates two lines and a total capacity of 17,856 tonnes/yr. Due to low availability and quality of post-consumer streams in the US compared to Europe, the company has focused on post-industrial recycled (PIR) waste streams with the material coming from a range of sources including flexible and rigid packaging. Ferro said OEMs and processors are not only looking to meet performance specifications but also seeking to fulfil key sustainability goals and Sirmax’s integrated system, which includes production processes and full control of supply sources, ensures greater reliability and consistency in recycle-content compounds. Sirmax’s 2025-27 industrial plan earmarks €30m in new investments, partly at its Anderson facility.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.coperion.com �
www.herbold.com �
www.magnumgroup.in �
www.starlinger.com �
www.erema.com �
www.bausano.com �
www.sirmax.com
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
IMAGE: BAUSANO
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