Mechanical recycling of post-consumer or post-industrial polyester
Mechanical recycling of polyester waste material is often done by shredding – washing - melting and this results in new polyester grades (rPET). These grades are used for packaging, strapping, monofilaments, high tenacity yarns, fibers and other high demanding technical applications.
With mechnical recycling the color of the extruded output (polyester grades) follows from the color of the waste input: clear PET bottles will lead to clear new material. Because mechanical recycling has the highest CO₂ reduction figures we are also exploring mechanical recycling of other polyester waste streams like polyester textiles and carpets.
Food-grade bottle-to-bottle PET recycling facility
In 2013, we started with the recycling of post-consumer bottles, back into a rPET grade suitable for direct food contact and the development of special grades based on recycled materials. Nowadays, 60% of our capacity is occupied with the upgrading of recycled PET and 40% with virgin specialties with experience in PET, Copolyesters, PBT, PEF, etc.
Each day we recycle 2 million PET bottles into valuable, food contact approved polyester grades (rPET). These recycled polyesters can have the same or even better quality, functionality and feel as virgin polyester and have a significantly lower carbon footprint than virgin PET materials. We are continuously expanding and improving our processes and know-how of mechanical recycling.
Depolymerization Recycling
Mechanical recycling is successful, but it still leaves a lot of polyester waste unused. Heavy colored materials and other non-food polyesters are not suitable as feedstock for this process. Depolymerisation recycling can complement existing mechanical polymer recycling processes. They have the potential to increase the availability of high quality rPET by upcycling difficult to recycle PET plastic that cannot currently by recycled via mechanical recycling means and is instead downcycled, incinerated or sent to landfill.
That is why Cumapol has developed this new continuous CuRe Rejuvenation process. a Depolymerisation Recycling Technology that can create high quality rPET because it breaks down PET products to their component ‘building blocks’ through a process known as depolymerisation. This process is akin to pressing a ‘reset button’ on the PET waste and returning it to an impurity-free, ‘as good as new’ rPET grade.
Interested in our polyester recycling solutions? Please contact us!
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