Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPEAs small and pure as possible - the preliminary recycling stage
The key to a successful recycling process lies in the precise sorting and shredding of materials to ensure efficient recycling.
Responsible use of resources is crucial for a sustainable future. An essential step in this process is the embedding of materials in a closed material cycle. In order to be able to recycle polymers mechanically or chemically, their material flows must be homogenized and impurities separated.
The first step in a mechanical recycling process is to break down the input material. Whether by crushing, shredding, cutting, grinding or a combination of these methods - the choice of process depends heavily on the nature of the material. These different processes can be tested in the technical center to determine the best method.
The more precisely the material properties are characterized, the more effectively efficient processes for separation and processing can be developed and scaled up to industrial standards. These include methods such as suspension in liquids, separation in air classifiers, separation using magnets, optical separation processes and mechanical sieves.
These processes are versatile and can be applied to almost all industrially processed polymers. Experience with multilayer materials from the packaging industry and complex fiber-reinforced materials from the electrical sector shows that the industry does not matter. On this basis, we can extend the development of efficient comminution and separation processes to other industries.