Agglomerator that lets thermoplastic waste be recycled and reintroduced into production stream

17-Jun-11

Thermoplastic waste can be recycled and reintroduced into the production stream with Pallmann’s PFV Plast-Agglomerator. The equipment is characterized by its relatively low acquisition cost in comparison with other technologies, as well as the low thermal stress it puts on materials, allowing them to maintain as many of their original characteristics as possible. The PFV Plast-Agglomerator can handle waste coming from production of film, fibers, foam, carpets or other mixed materials, from PP, PE, PVC, ABS, and XPS as well as compounded materials. The waste precut into 8-10 mm pieces is gently plastified by means of frictional heat, pressed through a die and cut at the outer circumference by rotating knives. The agglomerated material is transported pneumatically to a downstream hot melt granulator, creating free-flowing granules with a high bulk density and a minimum of thermal degradation. This valuable raw material can then be reintroduced into the production process or used in other applications, as a filler for example. New technical characteristics make the Plast-Agglomerator even more attractive than before. Pallmann can now deliver complete systems, premounted on a base frame, including wiring and water hook-up, simplifying installation and decreasing assembly time. Even after assembly, the complete system can be quickly moved and so is easily adaptable to changing production conditions at the customer. To facilitate processing of abrasive materials such as carpet waste, the die and the agglomerating vane are equipped with a specially developed wear resistant coating. The result is a considerably increased lifetime of the agglomerating elements as well a reduction in unproductive downtime that occurs during replacement of worn parts.