PETpla.net Insider 03 / 2011

MATERIAL / RECYCLING 13 PET planet insider Vol. 12 No. 03/11 www.petpla.net the sorting system can evaluate up to a million spectra per second and can detect accurately even the finest particles. Materials to be eliminated are identified individually, detected at the threshold and blown out. Unisen- sor claim that “depending on the type of impurity, separation levels of up to 98% can be achieved with a minimum loss of product”. Powersort was exhibited at K2010 in Düsseldorf. We saw the machine in the Unisensor Technical Centre in Karlsruhe in an impressive demonstration. But laboratory conditions in general differ from the tough conditions found on the shop floor. So we visited three customers of Unisensor to ask them about their experience and listen to their comments. They are given below. References We first asked Artenius Packaging in France for an opinion. Then we went to Wellman International in the Netherlands and finally to RecyPET in Switzerland. We saw Powersort in action and we asked questions such as the following:  Why Powersort and for what particular purpose?  Where – in an established operating recycling line – is the optimum location to install the sensor system, so that it operates effi- ciently and economically?  And, most importantly, how good is the quality of the end product? We heard the following comments: Artenius PET Packaging Europe (APPE) recycling plant/ Beaune/France “Stabilising quality in an established line” APPE, part of La Seda de Barcelona, has been pioneering PET recycling in Europe. APPE in Beaune has an intake capacity of 31,000t in bales and supplies 24,000t in pellet form to the markets, of which approx. 17,000t are so called high quality SuperCycle pellets with food contact approval. A significant portion of pellets are for APPE in- house conversion into new preforms for demanding customers such as Danone and Coca Cola. Powersort was placed within an existing operating line to improve and stabilise the quality of flakes before extrusion into pellets. Frédéric Blanchard, Plant Director at APPE Beaune, commented: “APPE recycling in Beaune invested in a Powersort from Unisensor last year. The flakes sorter from the German company – with a laser detection system - is able to sort PET flakes at a high output rate. We have installed the system just before the extruder. This amazes even the professionals: oval shapes can also be blow-moulded. Using ProShape – the latest module for the krones Contiform. www.krones.com interpack 2011 Düsseldorf, 12 – 18 May Hall 14, Stand D14/E29

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