Lindner at PRSE : Process excellence and innovation as the foundation for high quality in plastics recycling

As part of the European Recycling Trade Show, Lindner will present integrated engineered solutions and innovative technologies for processing plastics. In line with the slogan 'Ready for the future of your business', the company is presenting itself as a reliable partner for the sector. The technology partnership between Lindner Washtech and EREMA demonstrates how integrated process solutions can set new standards across the entire supply chain. Highlights at the company's exhibition stand include innovations in mechanical recycling that produce the high levels of purity required for use in the food, cosmetics and personal care sectors.

With nearly 80 years' experience in waste management and recycling, Lindner has become a leading solutions provider in the recycling industry. The company's portfolio ranges from powerful standalone machines to integrated systems, complemented by extensive service and lifecycle deliverables. Lindner has been covering all the essential process steps of shredding, sorting and washing in plastics recycling for decades. The company's international project and process expertise is evidenced by the installation of more than 250 washing plants and components worldwide.

Thanks to its technology partnership with EREMA, Lindner Washtech can now offer a complete recycling process. Lindner Washtech’s experience in mechanical processing and EREMA’s expertise in extrusion complement each other perfectly to provide a continuous system. The result is an integrated, comprehensive solution — from feedstock to final recyclate.

In their joint “Added Values” project, a benefits package was developed with the aim of optimising material flow, energy efficiency, plant availability and process stability. Standardised interfaces, consistent system networking and joint first-level support increase transparency, as well as operational and investment security. In addition to perfectly coordinated machine engineering, customers also benefit from coordinated project management, which improves quality, throughput and cost-effectiveness measurably.

Lindner is showcasing the technology it uses to recycle post-consumer plastics. Producing food-grade recyclate is widely regarded as one of the most challenging tasks in plastics recycling. Food-grade recyclates are recycled plastics that have been verified as suitable for food contact and that meet the strictest purity and safety requirements. Through its collaboration with the Northern Irish recycling company Polymer Matters, Lindner demonstrates how food-grade rHDPE granulate can be successfully produced on an industrial scale from used milk bottles using state-of-the-art washing and extrusion technology. This technology involves a precisely coordinated process, from sorting and cold and hot washing to subsequent extrusion and thermal decontamination. The first EFSA phase of the European approval process has been achieved, meaning the recyclate can be used to manufacture milk bottles. This flagship project demonstrates that fully integrated, energy-efficient mechanical recycling processes and high-quality recyclates can pave the way for demanding applications, such as food-grade recycling.

Lindner will also be presenting another revolutionary mechanical recycling technology: FlexLoop. Developed by P&G, Lindner holds the exclusive worldwide licence for FlexLoop and has scaled it for industrial use. Flexloop uses a solvent-based extraction process to specifically remove impurities, such as NIAS (non-intentionally added substances), odours, adhesives, and printing inks, from polymer chains without damaging them. The high level of purity achieved opens up new application options and creates new business opportunities for recyclers, for example in the cosmetics and personal care sectors.

As the established European trade fair for plastics recycling, PRSE brings together innovation, dialogue and networking in one location, creating the ideal setting to discuss responses to the industry’s challenges. This is also where Lindner steps in.

“Volatile raw material markets, the rising oil prices and high energy costs are currently putting pressure on the plastics and recycling sector,” says Matthias Egarter, Lindner CEO. “This makes it all the more important to ensure efficient and stable processes throughout the supply chain. These processes reduce operating expenses while also improving recyclate quality, opening up new business fields for recycling companies, for instance in regulated fields such as food, cosmetics and personal care packaging.”