EVENT REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 25 No. 0/24 www.petpla.net 34 MAS launches iQonicTwin series for food-grade PET recycling Tray-to-bottle recycling Austrian company MAS premiered its iQonicTwin HyperPET at K 2025. The new range is specifically targeted at PET recycling for food-contact applications. The company says that it sets high standards and, at the same time, offers users the chance to “unlock new business opportunities”. The flagship HyperPET solution integrates MAS’s proven co-rotating conical twin-screw extruder with a Solid-State Polycondensation (SSP) process, based on infrared radiation and vacuum, which eliminates the need for nitrogen. The company claims that this delivers good intrinsic viscosity (IV), colour stability and minimal acetaldehyde (AA) formation, while reducing energy consumption. MAS has partnered with PET recycling specialist Christian Schiavolin to integrate his proven solution into the MAS iQ Series. The company says that it is working closely with him on the iQonicTwin HyperPET solution in order to consolidate its position as a leading provider of comprehensive plastics recycling and upcycling services. Pre-extrusion SSP The HyperPET configuration locates polycondensation upstream of extrusion. rPET flakes are preheated and dried in a crystalliser; a MOBY reactor applies infrared radiation under vacuum, reducing moisture and adjusting IV to the target level for bottle-grade applications. The MOBY reactor recirculates PET material inside a tube by a screw feeder. Infrared radiation provides direct and uniform heat; undertaking this activity within a vacuum increases heating efficiency by up to 30%, compared with heating in air. It also controls material temperature more directly, through different stages including crystallisation, dehumidification and decontamination. Stored heat reduces extrusion energy needs and increases throughput. According to MAS, it offers short dwell time in the SSP, along with IV stabilisation of PET flakes. The process within the MOBY reactor is conducted without nitrogen, which means that the only additional resource required is electricity, contributing to simplified operation and compact machine footprint. Bottle-to-bottle and tray-to-bottle HyperPET has the capability to undertake “tray-to-bottle” recycling: the processing of both bottle and PET tray regrind, either alone or blended. This expands the feedstock pool and reduces reliance on post-consumer bottles, the company says. According to MAS, the iQ HyperPET solution enables the production of stable, high-quality pellets with low AA and consistent IV and colour, as well as compliance with strict food-contact regulations. It claims that operators can expect lower operational expenses, because of lower energy consumption and simplified operations, and the greater sourcing flexibility can help to improve return on investment. iQonicTwin HyperPET is available in three capacities, which makes it suitable for both pilot lines and industrial-scale applications. MAS also offers an rPET SSP solution and an rPET Regran solution within its new portfolio. www.mas-tech.com
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