MATERIALS / RECYCLING PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 01+02/23 www.petpla.net 13 MATERIALS / RECYCLING 13 Polycondensation (SSP) technology that guarantees industrial security at all stages of the thermal process and eliminates all remaining impurities on a molecular scale. SGR also has an extruding machine with underwater cutting and an ultra-efficient decontamination system that produces rPET pellets whose visible qualities (transparency and colour), mechanical qualities (viscosity) and organoleptic qualities match those of virgin PET. The whole process requires little consumption of energy. During extrusion, the decontamination reactor makes the PET suitable for food contact. It allows the flakes to melt, to filter them (at 36μm) before leaving them in the form of granules. Our extruder is equipped with an underwater cutting allowing direct crystallisation of the granule. The flow rate of our equipment is 1,500kg/h. The decontamination process takes part on a molecular scale. At this stage, the viscosity index (IV) of the granules obtained is similar to virgin PET. Nitrogen vacuum depression is at 200mbar, the temperature is 200 °C. The residence time of PET granules is about 10 hours. SGR has invested 8 million euros in its decontamination line,” Anthony proudly announced. While walking back we passed the preform production area again. Fabien Tabart, SGT Production Workshop Manager explained us some hard facts on SGT and SGR: “With a workforce of 170 employees in Rezé and 50 employees in Chalon-SurSaône and finally SGT Algeria with 330 employees, we have an overall turnover of €152.7 million for SGT France, €136 million for SGT Algeria and €12 million for SGR. With growth of 5% in each plant, we export about 25% of our production. SGT offers a broad range of more than 270 customisable preforms (from 100ml to 20 l) and seven types of caps and handle in high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The SGT group’s annual production capacity totals 7 billion preforms and 2.8 billion caps. The bestselling preform is the one for the 1.5 l water bottle. 80% of our preform production is sold to the food and beverage (50% water, 25% CSD, dairy drinks 8%, juices 5%) and 20% to the non-food market. We expect the African continent, with its growing population, to achieve significant growth rates in the coming years.” After the factory tour and some interesting conversation, we ask Jean Marc Wiencek for a final statement on the current situation: “Between logistical difficulties, geopolitical instability (Ukraine), the health crisis, plastic bashing and now the energy crisis, we have to face every adversity. The yesterday’s certainties are now replaced by caution. Despite everything, if we had to stay positive, I would say that we are learning to live in an uncertain and increasingly risky environment. That is what we call resilience.” We thank our hosts and climb into the cab of our Editour truck - our journey continues, because communication and information exchange are an important means to overcome any crisis! www.sgt-pet.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTY0MjI=