CHINA SPECIAL & CHINAPLAS 2022 PETplanet Insider Vol. 23 No. 03/22 www.petpla.net 35 improvements in product shelf life and market appeal. Application of barrier materials into PET packages in the form of a laminated structure can improve the package’s resistance to permeability of gases and light depending on the type of barrier applied. Durability and shelf life of the product contained are extended as a result. It is particularly suitable for products which are sensitive to oxygen such as juice, and light such as dairy products. The technology also helps retain CO2 content in carbonated drinks, thus preserving their taste and flavour for a longer period. Moreover, multilayer co-injection can also realise colour gradation, delivering a new option for market appealing impression. PETplanet: Can you say something about the recyclability of the finished product? GDXL: While multilayer packages have potential in enhancing food safety and food conservation, their recyclability is worth improving from technological and commercial aspects. Research in bio-based and bio-degradable barrier materials, and a realisable way to process them in existing sorting and recycling systems are needed to attain sustainability goals. PETplanet: GDXL is strongly committed to research and development. What improvements/modifications in the field of preform, cap or blow moulds have been realised recently? GDXL: Continuous dedication in R&D of mould products have improved our overall competitiveness in the sector. For moulds, recent developments involve further improvement in performance. For instance, we developed a new structural design for enhancing uniform cooling capability of mould cavities, and a new base mould design achieving low pressure blowing, etc. There are also developments in preform designs. For instance, we are developing a preform design with an optimised base to achieve uniform distribution of base material during the blowing process, enhancing the performance of the resulting bottle while creating a bonus in the possibility for weight. Developments in other areas include inspection methods and improvements in our digital production system, etc. PETplanet: Thank you very much! www.gdxl.com Three questions for Boretech Group New projects in Taiwan What are new projects of Boretech? In 2022, the subsidiary of Boretech Group in Taiwan introduced the latest EC process technology of the PET bottle recycling system developed by Boretech. The EC process has been completed development in 2021, it is the first time to be applied in the PET recycling project. What is special about the EC process? The project adopts the hot washing and rinsing modular of the EC process PET bottle washing system. Compared with the traditional recycling process, it includes pre-mixing, hot washing, and drying, it occupies an area of only 110m2. The entire hot- washing module can replace the hot-washing machine, screw conveyor, and friction washer with the minimum equipment, which reduces equipment and civil engineering investment, and the process design is rationalised, compact and simplified. The special structure design of MegaWasher and the frequency control greatly improve hot washing efficiency and the rPET flakes’ cleanliness. The impurity content of the flakes after high-speed hot washing with MegaWasher can be stably produced. The Hydro rinsing module includes high-speed rinsing, floating, ultrasonic washing and dehydration. It is applied to PET recycling, either for HDPE, PP, PE recycling. The Hydro Washer replaces the continuous rinsing, which not only occupies a small area but also has higher rinsing efficiency. After rinsing, the pH value of flakes is stable in the range of 7.5±0.5, and the inline water reuse system reduces industrial water by 50%. The structure design of the floating washing machine ensures the material is under the water and achieves the complete separation of the sinking and floating materials. Where do you see future markets for PET recycling? Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued direction under Section 16(5) of the food safety and standards act, which involved guidelines for recycling of post-consumer PET for food contact applications. It means that India has opened access to the food-grade application of recycled PET. As the second-largest populated country in the world, India has pushed the global recycled PET food application to a new chapter. The food-grade recycling equipment of Boretech provides a new option for India to open up food-grade applications for waste PET bottle recycling. www.bo-re-tech.com/en
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