Extrusion International 1-2018

22 Extrusion International 1/2018 RECYCLING Gas chromatography: volatile substances in the regranulate as measured after conventional extrusion (in black) and after treatment in the Smell Extraction Unit (in red) (©Starlinger) Starlinger & Co. Ges.m.b.H. Sonnenuhrgasse 4 , 1060 Vienna, Austria www.starlinger.com tent odor of dishwashing or laundry detergent even after undergoing a shredding and washing process. The goal was to produce high-quality re- granulate, and to aim for optimum removal of the strong smell. In ad- dition, the regranulate should not entail qualitative losses compared to products made from virgin material. Taking these requirements into ac- count, Starlinger started a test pro- duction during which more than 100 tons of HDPE post-consumer mate- rial were processed. The subsequent production of bottles from 100% rHDPE fulfilled all expectations; this means that Starlinger was the first technology provider to offer a recy- cling solution for detergent bottles. During test production, samples were extracted and sent to a Ger- man laboratory for analysis. The analysis consisted of an olfactory test with human participants and a physical analytical method called gas chromatography. The knowl- edge obtained through this analysis enabled Starlinger to optimize the recycling process – and thus the fi- nal product – one step at a time. As a result, the material was fit to be reused in the production of laundry or dishwashing detergent bottles: a new take on bottle-to-bottle recy- cling. First HDPE detergent bottle made from 100 % odourless recyclate Starlinger does not only sell ma- chines, but solutions: the develop- ment and transfer of know-how is an integral part of the full package. Thanks to the pioneering work of Starlinger, the first HDPE detergent bottle made from odourless regran- ulate could be presented on the market. A special characteristic of odor re- duction by means of Starlinger technology is its permanent na- ture. While conventional processes merely bind odors through the use of additives and therefore enclose them in the final pellets, Starlinger’s odor reduction process permanently removes the substances causing the unwanted smell. In part, this remov- al already occurs during material preparation in the SMART feeder of the recycling line recoSTAR dynamic as well as during degassing with the highly efficient C-VACmodule. As a final step, the regranulate receives the “finishing touches” in the Smell Extraction Unit – its configuration and process parameters may be adapted individually to the needs of the customer’s material. The technology stirs up lively interest worldwide; test runs at Starlinger re- cycling technology in Weissenbach can be performed upon request.