Extrusion International 4-2017

31 Extrusion International 4/2017 A new take on bottle-to-bottle: processing of detergent bottles by Starlinger recycling technology It is hard to imagine packaging without the use of plastics. Whether it is shampoo, shower gels, liquid laundry detergents or household cleaners – everything reaches the supermarket shelves in containers made of PP, HDPE, or PET. But in contrast to PET bottles, for which extensive collection systems have partly been set up, the collection of used containers made of polyolefins is still in its early stages. One reasonforthelackofeffortinthisarealiesinthecomplicatedrecycling process of plastic containers that were filledwith detergents; due to migrated substances, the plastic, and in turn the recycled material, takes on an unpleasant odor. Pioneering work in odor reduction The call for sustainable packaging solutions for polyolefins – especially by brand manufacturers – prompted Starlinger to engage with this topic on a deeper level. Over the last years Starlinger engineered a project for the recycling of the in- put material of a renowned European recycler. The material came from detergent bottles from a postconsumer collec- tion that had maintained a persistent odor of dishwashing or laundry detergent even after undergoing a shredding and washing process. The goal was to produce high-quality regranulate, and to aim for optimum removal of the strong smell. In addition, the regranulate should not entail qualita- tive losses compared to products made from virgin material. Taking these requirements into account, Starlinger started a test production during which more than 100 tons of HDPE post-consumer material were processed. The subsequent production of bottles from 100% rHDPE fulfilled all expec- tations; this means that Starlinger was the first technology provider to offer a recycling solution for detergent bottles. During test production, samples were extracted and sent to a German 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 final product – one step at a time. As a result, the material was fit to be re- used in the production of laundry or dishwashing detergent bottles: a new take on bottle-to-bottle recycling. First HDPE detergent bottle made from 100 % odourless recyclate Starlinger does not only sell machines, but solutions: the development and transfer of know-how is an integral part of the full package. Thanks to the pioneering work of Star- linger, the first HDPE detergent bottle made from odourless regranulate could be presented on the market. A special characteristic of odor reduction by means of Star- linger technology is its permanent nature.While convention- al 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 substanc- es causing the unwanted smell. In part, this removal already occurs during material preparation in the SMART feeder of the recycling line recoSTAR dynamic as well as during degas- sing with the highly efficient C-VAC module. 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 recycling technology in Weissenbach can be performed upon request. Starlinger & Co. Ges.m.b.H. www.starlinger.com RECYCLING Detergent bottles are given a new life. ©Starlinger 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