Circular Economy
Oct 10, 2019 |
Plastic: part of the problem...part of the solution - Part 4: Efficient use of recyclates
The problem of plastic waste seems insurmountable. But there is good news: plastic recycling is on the rise. And that is good for the circular economy. In parts 1, 2 and 3, we delved into the role of the waste management and recycling industry and how material sorting technologies can help. Part 4 is all about the increased use of recyclates as an essential part of properly closing the plastic cycle.
The plastics industry is facing a great many challenges. Harvesting recyclates from waste is only worthwhile if the plastic has been properly sorted and does not contain any metal, and if the products made from the secondary raw material are similar in quality to those made from new plastic.
Manufacturing
recyclates from plastic waste is the first step. But in order to fully close
the plastic cycle, more recyclates need to be used in the manufacturing of new
products.
This
is a lucrative business for plastics processors, as recyclates are cheaper than
new materials.
With
material costs in the plastics industry accounting for 40% to 80% of total
expense, depending on the segment, using recycled materials can significantly
increase profitability. In addition, the secondary raw material in its
ultra-pure state has practically the same characteristics as new plastic.
Yet
there are still a number reservations in the industry when it comes to
recyclates. The quality of the input material is particularly important in this
regard. Recyclates must be free from any contamination to protect processes and
machines from damage and ensure that the final products meet high standards of
quality.
FINDINGS OF A SURVEY ON THE USE OF RECYCLATE
BY PLASTICS PROCESSORS IN EUROPE (IK Survey – Nov. 2017, excerpt)
- Lack of quality and security of supply are the key challenges facing plastics processors at the moment
- Price is the main incentive for companies to switch to using recyclates.
- The attitude of processing companies’ customers regarding the use of recyclates needs to be improved
- The introduction of quality standards for recycling could lead to companies using more recycled plastics.
- Despite the numerous obstacles, the vast majority of European plastics processors already use recyclates – for cost reasons.
- Increase volumes and quality in the recyclate market.
- Increase demand and improve the acceptance of recycled plastics.
- Increase innovation to find additional processing technologies.
Metal
particles among the most common forms of contamination affecting the quality of
recyclates. These particles must be removed prior to processing to prevent
faulty plastic parts from being produced and to prevent machinery from standing
idle. Defective plasticising screws, blocked hot runners and under-injected
plastic parts are all issues caused by metal contamination.
Idle
machinery, machinery downtime and recalls are costly and can damage a company’s
image. Furthermore, they all lead to valuable material being wasted.
The
solution to this problem is to use metal detectors and separators. Compound
manufacturer Sitraplas, for example, has used metal separators since 2006 to
detect and sort out metal contaminants. Installed directly before the conveyor
pipe, they detect the finest metal particles in a fraction of a second and
remove them using a reject mechanism.
Metal
separators therefore help enhance the quality of recyclates, allowing them to
be used without risk, and make a sustainable contribution to a properly
functioning circular economy.
Missed
any other parts of this series? You can find them here:
Part 1: A global problem
Part 2: The European Union's solution
Part 3: Sorting technology
