06. Feb 2017
EREMA solves odor issues in recyclate derived from household waste
Post-consumer waste has long posed problems in recycling because of contamination problems. At K 2016, Erema demonstrated their solution: the ReFresher.
Impurities and the fluctuating degree of contamination in post-consumer waste are responsible for the foul smell in recyclate derived from this waste stream, limiting the scope of applications this could be used for. Nonetheless, the sheer volume produced makes it an interesting resource.
"We recognized the potential of continuously increasing packaging waste early on and worked intensively on finding a technical solution for the odor issue,” said Erema CEO Manfred Hackl. “With the ReFresher, we offer recyclers and producers the edge in terms of quality to establish themselves in the marketplace with odorless recyclates from household waste.”
The ReFresher eliminates odors caused by migrated substances and residues left on the plastic materials, even in the case of severely contaminated packaging waste. This can include, for example, food contamination, cleaner/detergent residues and cosmetics. The ReFresher is downstream of the extrusion process and keeps the recyclates at the required temperature at which volatile materials can be discharged. The ReFresher is available in various expansion stages depending on the end application. Starting immediately, EREMA now offers a mobile ReFresher as an additional service for on-site trials directly at the customer's location to adapt the solution precisely to the requirements of the end product.
The ReFresher is based on Erema’s proven TVEplus technology. The INTAREMA TVEplus prevents unpleasant odors from developing during the extrusion process. In conventional processes, these smells develop, for example, through cellulose contamination, such as wood or paper, which burn during extrusion and transfer the smell to the plastic. The combination of the preconditioning unit, Airflush technology, a low melt temperature, efficient filtration and several degassing steps ensures that the cellulose particles are separated from the plastic.
"At the end of the extrusion process, what we have in our hands is high-quality recyclate which is already suitable for many applications. And here I am referring to extrusion products such as pipes or film in the waste management or construction industry,” explained Clemens Kitzberger, Post Consumer Business Development Manager at EREMA. “The odor caused by migrated substances, however, is more stubborn. End products such as plastic parts in cars or in the home call for an additional recycling step to neutralize the odor. And this is exactly what we developed the ReFresher for."
TVEplus technology has a market share of around 85 per cent in the post-consumer sector in Europe alone. "I am sure that the ReFresher will be another boost for the use of recyclates from post-consumer material. Whether it is in supermarkets or homes – I assume that we will come into contact with this type of odor-treated recyclate more and more in the future," said Clemens Kitzberger.