Processing of Post-Consumer Films | LLDPE & LDPE
There are a number of things to consider when recycling post-consumer films. Among the biggest challenges are surely the purity and degree of contamination. To overcome these, the films are coarsely shredded in the first process step and ferrous metals and minerals are eliminated before these – depending on the degree of contamination – are washed and dried repeatedly and then turned into high-quality plastic flakes.
LLDPE & LDPE Films | Post-Consumer
Post-consumer films are usually obtained from the dual system. Accordingly, the degree of contamination is also very high. One challenge in processing this plastic is the sometimes high proportion of organic residues such as fats and oils. In addition, most post-consumer films have labels and thus glue, contain remains of aluminium foils and usually consist of several thin layers (multi-layer) - not to mention the odour-intensiveness.
The Recycling Solution
Recycling processes for these plastic fractions are characterised by comprehensive shredding, sorting, washing and drying steps. Optimal bale opening and pre-shredding enable optimal performance of the downstream sorting systems. A second shredding process, where minerals and metals are extracted, is followed by a plastic separation process. When it comes to washing, the LINDNER WASHTECH hot-wash system is usually indispensable whenever strong odour and grease residues occur. Special attention must also be paid to the correct drying process so that, despite the high volume, a dryness degree of 4 - 6 % can be achieved.
Vasil Asparouhov
Managing Director of Vadias Bulgaria
LLDPE & LDPE Films
Post-consumer film is plastic waste, primarily packaging, which is the result of consumption by private and commercial end consumers. These waste films are often heavily contaminated and must be pre-sorted before being washed and regranulated. The complex processes for cleaning these films require highly efficient washing systems that work in several steps.
