With a throughput of up to 6 tonnes per hour, it consumes 10% less energy than comparable systems without the new EcoGentle plasticization technology, which Erema will unveil for the first time at K 2022.
In the PET recycling segment, Erema has proven its expertise several times over the last year as a partner in unique large-scale recycling projects. At the end of 2021, the recycling machinery manufacturer has delivered for the first time his large Vacurema Basic 2628 T plant with a production capacity of up to 40,000 tons of rPET granules per year. Since then, throughput capacity has increased significantly again. “Our new plasticizing technology allows up to 6 tons per hour,” he points out Michael Heitzinger, Managing Director of Erema. The recycling machine maker calls this plasticizing unit EcoGentle because it significantly reduces energy consumption. Measurements with the Vacurema Basic 2628 T system show up to 12% total energy savings (specific total energy consumption, kWh/kg) and 30-47% with extruder drives in his Vacurema Basic plants of size 2021 and above. Energy savings are obtained. Additionally, EcoGentle handles lysis in a very gentle manner. At the same time, it achieves unprecedented high throughput. “Overall, this is a package that allows our customers to increase their productivity and significantly reduce their costs,” he says.
The decisive factor here is the even more perfect interaction between the intake section and the extruder screw as a result of the combination of the EcoGentle plasticizing unit and the proven Counter Current technology. Optimizing the compression ratio ensures better feed performance, and selective utilization of elongational flow, along with many other rheological optimizations, results in a particularly homogeneous melt and a wider process window. increase. This makes it easier to compensate for input material variations without adversely affecting process stability. Due to the significantly lower temperatures, the melt is treated more gently overall. The result is lower acetaldehyde (AA) values, leading to higher quality rPET pellets.
Erema’s large factories are now focusing on PET recycling. But it doesn’t stop there. This is because recycling machinery manufacturers are already focused on expanding polyolefin recycling technology, which can achieve large throughputs. “It is necessary to drive the circular economy and we offer the usual quality and reliability,” Heitzinger confirms.
