Plastic Recycling: Cost Efficiency in Melt Filtration
Recyclates of the highest quality are a highly sought-after commodity in the plastics processing industry. In line with demand, stricter requirements are also being placed on the productivity of the recycling systems.
German-based company Ettlinger, the center of competence for recycling in the MAAG Group, offers a solution for providing corresponding product quantities for the recyclable material cycle. According to the manufacturer, its flagship is the powerful high-performance melt filter ERF 1000. “When processing easy-flowing materials, for example, for injection molding applications, its four rotating, perforated drums can filter up to ten tons of plastic melt per hour,” the company informed. “The system’s benefits include continuous operation in a stable process at consistent pressure and long operating times without filter changes.” The very low melt loss in the range of a few percent and the possibility of changing each drum individually and without interrupting production also would contribute to the cost efficiency of the ERF 1000. If throughputs lower than those provided by the ERF 1000 are sufficient, the ERF 350 (up to more than 3,000 kilograms/hour) and ERF 500 (up to 6,000 kilograms/hour) offer alternatives to meet such requirements.
“All three sizes are designed for energy efficiency and are suitable for filtering common thermoplastics, including soft PVC,” the company said. “The proportion of contaminates such as paper, aluminum, wood, elastomers (rubber or silicone) or high-melting polymer composites can be up to 16 percent.” ERF melt filters can, in principle, be used in any extrusion line – either single or twin-screw and irrespective of the type of pelletizing system or other downstream unit.
(Published in GLOBAL RECYCLING Magazine 2/2023, Page 49, Photo: Ettlinger)
