Extrusion International 5-2026

38 Extrusion International 5/2026 tuations by being able to process a wide range of PET feedstocks. The change to PET, however, introduced a major processing challenge. PET is hygroscopic and readily absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment. In con- ventional extrusion processes, the material must therefore be dried before processing to ensure consis- tently high sheet quality – particu- larly when recycled material is used. The company therefore looked for an extrusion solution capable of processing different PET feedstocks without upstream material drying while maintaining maximum energy ef ciency. The choice was a Gneuss MRS 110 extruder with a through- put of up to 600 kg/h of PET. Since its commissioning in early 2025, the system has successfully met both re- quirements. At the heart of the system is the patented Multi Rotation System (MRS) technology. Multiple satel- lite screws dramatically increase the melt surface area, enabling highly ef cient devolatilisation and de - contamination of the PET melt. As a result, virgin resin, bottle akes and in-house production regrind can all be processed exibly without the need for energy-intensive pre- drying. The extrusion process has re- ceived FDA approval for the pro- duction of recycled PET intended for food-contact applications. In addition, EFSA approval for the customer-speci c process has been applied for, with approval expect- ed during 2026. This will enable the company to use food-grade recycled PET for international food packaging markets. A gravimetric dosing system al- lows different material streams to be blended with high precision. A Gneuss RSFgenius rotary ltration system continuously removes solid contaminants from the melt, ensur- ing consistently high sheet quality. The sheet is then fed directly into the thermoforming lines via an en- ergy-ef cient inline process. Since entering production at the beginning of 2025, the extrusion line has proven itself in daily opera- tion. The combination of exible raw material selection, elimination of energy-intensive material pre- drying and the energy-ef cient in - line process reduces overall energy consumption while increasing ex - ibility in raw material sourcing. As a result, the company now has the technical capabilities to increase the recycled content of its food pack- aging according to market require- ments and to respond exibly to fu - ture market developments and the evolving demands of the European circular economy. Gneuß Kunststofftechnik GmbH Mönichhusen 42, 32549 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany www.gneuss.com EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGY – CASE STUDY Gneuss OMNI extrusion line with MRS extruder and RSFgenius melt ltration system Gneuss RSFgenius rotary ltration system with integrated backush technology