Flake Purifier allows production of PET bottles from used PET bottles
At Munich’s PETpoint 2013 in September, S+S Separation and Sorting Technology GmbH presented sorting systems for the recycling of used PET packaging, along with inductive metal separators that can be used in the injection-moulding of PET preforms or caps.
The company’s Flake Purifier technology, designed for PET recyclers requiring food-grade recycled raw materials, was one of the technologies shown in Munich. S+S says their Flake Purifier guarantees food-grade output, using PET bottles as feedstock, allowing new PET bottles to be made from used PET bottles. The technology is based on a compact, modular concept, and uses up to three sensors for contaminant detection.
Apart from sensors for metal and colour separation, the Flake Purifier system also features a high-performance module for the detection of contaminant materials, including different types of plastics. For example, PVC content or bioplastics such as PLA, which otherwise would mean considerably reduced quality of recycled material (or which can even render high-quality recycling impossible) can be removed from PET flakes.
In combination with camera sensors, S+S says the Flake Purifier makes it possible to identify incorrect colours even with very small colour shade differences. Metal particles are detected by inductive sensors, and an air-blast unit matched to the application ensures reliable and efficient separation of unwanted particles, with little loss of good material and reduced compressed-air requirements.
