Compact washing technology – Efficient, sustainable and space-saving
Krones Recycling GmbH, Hall 9 – Booth C29
The plastics recycling industry is under increasing pressure to make processes more efficient, sustainable and space-saving. While the demands on the quality of the recyclate are increasing, the available space in many companies remains limited – whether due to existing infrastructure or the structural conditions at the site. Especially in running systems, the integration of additional technology is often only possible with considerable effort. Krones Recycling has responded to these requirements by developing the MetaPure Compact, a washing module configuration that offers high process quality in a minimal space.
From plastic bales to food-grade recyclate
Krones Recycling’s systems cover the entire plastics process chain – from sorting and shredding to washing and decontamination. The MetaPure washing module plays a key role in this, as it is essential for determining the quality of the flakes produced in terms of purity, odourlessness and suitability for food law applications. Virtually residue-free cleaning is crucial, especially for bottle-to-bottle processes, as only absolutely clean flakes are approved for direct contact with food.
Efficiency in the smallest of spaces
The new MetaPure Compact was specially designed for production environments with limited space. Krones says that it significantly reduces the space required without compromising the washing quality compared to larger reference systems. The machine is designed for gentle processing, which largely avoids the formation of fine particles – a crucial aspect, as flakes of less than 2 mm are usually ejected from the process and thus economically lost. In addition to the material-friendly washing profile, the machine is energy-efficient and has a water-saving process. Made of stainless steel, the MetaPure Compact is suitable for processing PET bottles and HDPE and, thanks to its consistently high washing quality, can be easily used for bottle-to-bottle processes. Due to the gentle process, it is claimed to be particularly suitable for brittle materials such as PET trays, PP and PS because the production of fines is minimised. With input capacities of around 1.5 and 6 t/h, the MetaPure Compact addresses both compact locations with limited space and retrofits in existing buildings where additional square meters are simply not available.
Flexible adaptation
In its standard version, the compact configuration covers all requirements for a washing module at attractive conditions and can be installed and commissioned under shorter project durations. At the same time, a modular catalogue of options allows specific functions to be added as required – from process-related adjustments to monitoring and service packages. The compact design has a direct impact on the total cost of ownership: it reduces space requirements as well as energy and water consumption, shortens pipe routes and reduces installation and maintenance costs. All these factors help to minimise the total cost of ownership and facilitate economic use, especially in markets with high cost and space pressure.
Proven technology with a new structure
Parallel to the compact version, a second product line remains in the range, which covers an equally important need for many customers. The new MetaPure Performance, based on the previous MetaPure W, is aimed at complex application scenarios that require very high system availability and robust behaviour in demanding operation – for example, when different products are processed on the same line. In order to meet these requirements even better in the future, targeted optimisations have been made. The module now works more efficiently – with consistently low fines production and excellent washing results, says the company.
Expansion of the range of materials
With a view to future requirements, Krones Recycling is consistently expanding its range of materials. A solution for the efficient washing of LDPE – and thus for a large segment of film and bag materials – is also available and will be presented shortly. For special applications or complex material combinations, the company’s own Recycling Technology Center is also available. There, material characterisations, feasibility studies and process optimisations can be carried out under realistic conditions in order to secure the optimal system configuration based on data before large-scale investments are made. With the MetaPure product line, Krones Recycling offers a clearly structured new portfolio of its scalable, resource-efficient and practically integrable washing technology for different requirements. MetaPure Compact has been developed to address the increasing space and cost pressures without compromising on quality.