Recycling

Recycling technology for diverse applications

Sustainability is a key focus in modern plastics processing, particularly in recycling applications with varying quality and throughput requirements. KraussMaffei Extrusion enables proven extrusion technologies for the full range of recycling processes, from standard to advanced applications. Our engineering expertise supports the realization of reliable recycling solutions for your production requirements.

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Applications

Mechanical Recycling: PET

Mechanical PET recycling converts post-consumer waste into high-quality rPET, reducing packaging’s environmental footprint. Twin-screw extrusion enables gentle melting, moisture/VOC removal, and short residence times. KraussMaffei Extrusion’s ZE BluePower combines high intake capacity (OD/ID 1.65), torque density (16 Nm/cm³), and low energy consumption, enabling scale-up beyond 10 t/h. Integrated SSP supports IV build-up and decontamination for EFSA/FDA food-contact compliance.

Mechanical Recycling: Polyolefin

Rising regulatory requirements increase demand for high-quality recyclates in consumer applications. KraussMaffei Extrusion provides solutions for large-scale processing of post-consumer waste into food-grade packaging. The ZE BluePower extruder combines efficient intake (OD/ID 1.65) with a torque density of 16 Nm/cm³. Stripping agents enable deep-vacuum degassing, removing VOCs and odors to support food-grade polyolefins without solvents or chemical recycling.

Mechanical Recycling: Engineering Plastics

KraussMaffei Extrusion provides twin-screw solutions for recovering high-value materials while preserving polymer properties for secondary use. The ZE BluePower extruder ensures efficient intake (OD/ID 1.65) and gentle processing with a torque density of 16 Nm/cm³, supporting consistent quality and reduced energy consumption. It enables upcycling technical scrap into resins for demanding automotive, electrical, and industrial applications.

Chemical Recycling: Pyrolysis

Mixed and contaminated plastic waste often exceeds the limits of mechanical recycling. KraussMaffei Extrusion solutions enable stable feeding, contaminant removal, and efficient melting of polyolefin-rich waste for chemical pyrolysis. This process converts waste into hydrocarbons, supporting material circularity. The ZE BluePower twin-screw extruder handles low-density waste (OD/ID 1.65), while its 16 Nm/cm³ torque density supports rapid heating and homogenization.

Chemical Recycling: Depolymerization

Chemical depolymerization enables the breakdown of technical polymers into monomers or high-value chemical intermediates, supporting circular use of materials such as PA6, PET, and PC. KraussMaffei Extrusion’s ZE BluePower is a key enabler (intake: OD/ID 1.65 / torque density: 16 Nm/cm³), allowing precise temperature control and handling highly viscous melts. It provides the stability and scalability needed to transform technical scraps into virgin-quality chemical building blocks.

Solvent-based Recycling

Solvent-based recycling (dissolution) enables selective extraction of high-purity polymers from complex or contaminated waste streams without degrading polymer chains. KraussMaffei Extrusion’s ZE BluePower twin-screw extruder is uniquely qualified for this process. Its OD/ID ratio of 1.65 provides free volume for efficient intake of low bulk density feedstocks and volatile removal. A high torque density of 16 Nm/cm³ supports recovery of virgin-quality resins from PC, PS, and multi-layer packaging.

Processing Options

Mixaco Heating/Cooling Mixer

Koch Technik Hot Air Dryer

CMG Granulator

Our Process

Upstream Processing

Before processing, raw materials are carefully evaluated in our laboratory for moisture content, bulk density, and other critical properties.
Material handling is customized to align with each customer’s production setup.
Optional compacting of low bulk density raw materials is performed.
High-precision gravimetric dosing guarantees outstanding consistency in formulations.

Extrusion

The materials are fed into the intake zone in a controlled manner. After melting, optional fillers and sensitive additives are incorporated through side feeding. Vacuum degassing removes moisture and volatiles, ensuring consistent product quality. Final result is a homogenous melt.

Forming and Downstream Processing

Depolymerization products are collected as samples and transferred to the customer’s downstream reaction equipment.
Pelletizing can be performed using underwater, strand, or hot-air pelletizing technology.
Drying and conditioning are carried out using a vibration conveyor.

Logistics

KraussMaffei Extrusion manages the entire logistics process – from worldwide shipping to onward transportation for downstream processing steps. Whether by land, air or sea, or via on-site collection, we reliably coordinate the transportation of machinery, plastics and rental equipment according to your requirements and ensure their integration into customized process engineering systems. With fully digitalized, SAP EWM-supported processes and integrated hazardous materials management, we ensure safe, efficient and internationally coordinated logistics.

Our Products

For more information about our extrusion products, please visit our product pages on kraussmaffei.com.

Co-rotating twin-screw extruder (ZE BluePower)