Recycler increases capacity with shredder-granulator pairing

Aqua Plastics, Inc., a plastics recycler located in Hickory, North Carolina, integrated a WEIMA WLK 15 shredder into their recycling line in 2006. Since then, the company says they have experienced the benefits of a high-quality shredder that can process a wide variety of plastic scrap in large volumes.

The WLK 15 shredder at Aqua Plastics uses a V-rotor which is ideal for processing hard scrap and features a lift-up door for easy rotor access and maintenance. The unit was installed at the front of the recycling line, but the company says it wasn’t until they paired it with a granulator – a Pallmann profile unit, type PSP 500-700, which was able keep up with the shredder’s throughput – that they were able to capture the true potential of the WLK 15 shredder.   

Aqua’s Hickory plant processes multiple grades of polypropylene parts, polyethylene parts, TPO, PET, and various other plastic types. The company says their initial goal was to provide pre-processed material for a large customer overseas. As they grew within the recycling market however, they began grinding, washing, pelletizing and pulverizing for domestic manufacturers as well. Today, with a streamlined and efficient recycling process, they have been able to supply regrind to both of these markets.

“We wanted a machine that could handle everything from hard scrap to film and fibre,” said Randall Cline, Plant Manager for Aqua Plastics. “WEIMA’s shredder could do that and more. 

“WEIMA has a reputation on the market for versatile, easily-maintainable machinery, and that has been our experience. We haven’t run into a plastic material that our [WLK 15] shredder couldn’t handle.”