The PET recycling machine P:REACT makes it possible to revolutionize the PET recycling process. It transforms PET waste and PET bottle flakes into food-grade recycled PET in minutes.

Description

Thanks to the advanced LSP (Liquid State Polycondensation) process, the PET melt phase is used to trigger the polycondensation of PET. The reaction speed in the PET melt is significantly higher than in the solid phase. The clear advantage: IV values, controlled with pinpoint accuracy, that can be even higher than those of the original starting material – depending entirely on your objectives.

Additionally, we have paid attention to highest energy efficiency and minimization of operating costs when developing the PET recycling machine P:REACT – profitability is thus guaranteed.

At a glance

• PET recycling at the highest level
• Output rate up to 2,200 kg/h (4,840 lbs/h) depending on type
• Continuous process with enormous process stability
• Significantly higher energy efficiency than conventional SSP applications
• Approval by FDA and EFSA for 100 % food safety

The liquid state polycondensation process (LSP)

The LSP-Process utilizes the inherent capability of PET to condensate in the molten phase under vacuum. This condensation leads to an increase of IV. The high performance vacuum effectively decontaminates the material from harmful chemicals, – securing further use of the material for 100% food contact.

As molten PET enters the vertical part of P:REACT, strands are formed to create a suitable surface to volume ratio. The material is then collected in a horizontal drum and slowly pushed forward. Condensation starts immediately as the strands are formed and is set forth until PET exits P:REACT. IV increase is controlled by the residue time and the vacuum level of the molten PET inside P:REACT and therefore can be adjusted to a desired level. The settings of parameters allow the control unit to maintain the desired IV-level within a small tolerance-band.

The decontamination performance is extremely effective, as carried out in the liquid phase of PET. The cleaning of the material exceeds limits set by recognized food safety standards, but also effectively removes spin oil from fibers.

Continuous operation by design

The continuous operation of P:REACT provides rPellets within a narrow IV-range, suitable for usage in valuable high end applications (i.e. fiber-spinning or sheet extrusion). Batch related IV-fluctuations are simply designed out.

Rapid IV-increase

The favorable conditions inside P:REACT (temperature/ surface:volume ratio of the melt/high performance vacuum), easily initiates the condensation-process of PET. This results in IV increase rates of some 0.01 dl/g per minute. Faster reaction leads to faster results and a more profitable operation.

Automatic control of IV-level

P:REACT actively controls the residue-time of the PET-melt and the vacuum inside the reactor and automatically adjusts the machine parameters to receive the desired IV at a consistent level.

High decontamination performance

The separation of harmful contaminants, as spin-oils or those components not desired for food contact, are removed by high performance vacuum. This high decontamination performance allows the use of P:REACT for many applications for highest flexibility.

FDA and EFSA approved for 100% food contact

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) both confirm that the Liquid State Polycondensation (LSP) process is fully food-safe.

High energy efficiency

The recycling of PET requires the material to be melted. P:REACT uses the melt-energy for condensing PET. The reactor itself only maintains the heat-level. P:REACT is therefore highly energy-efficient, which results in low operating costs.

Exceeding the highest expectations for production

Connecting to a film production system

Significantly increased production volume and minimized process downtimes at the same time – the advantages of the P:REACT and its enormous process stability are plain to see. The more uniform material thickness of the films in downstream production, made possible by the process stability, reduces production costs – as does the option of modifying conventional formulations and of reducing the often fed virgin PET material or to cut it out completely. Thus, the use of the P:REACT becomes an important contribution to efficiency and practiced sustainability.

Starting materials

Some of them are: Loose film, reject rolls, edge trims, start-up lumps, punch scrap, reject parts, post-consumer PET (bottle flakes, trays, etc.)

A real bonus

• Changes of color are possible at any time in running operation – in contrast to other systems, shutting down and cleaning the machine to change color is a matter of the past with the P:REACT.

Connecting to a fiber production system

Fiber production is known for its stringent requirements for the recycling process. Here, P:REACT can take full advantage of its enormous process stability and push the output rate up to a previously unknown level. Minimized downtime increase the production volume significantly. Additionally, the effective decontamination during the melt phase results in reliable removal of chemical agents such as spinning oils. In short: P:REACT is the perfect partner for your reliable and stable fiber production.

Starting materials

Some of them are: Fibers, fabric, fleece (nonwovens), textiles, post-consumer PET (bottle flakes, trays, etc.)

A real bonus

• The unique process stability of P:REACT reduces fiber breaks and thus enables significantly increased product quality.
• Reliable decontamination.

Connecting to a production system for straps

A high and stable IV value is the basis for the production of high-quality straps. Here, the P:REACT demonstrates its strength in the exact control of the desired IV values. The improved quality, simultaneously combined with a reduction of the production costs (by reducing or omitting the addition of virgin PET material) renders the P:REACT the winner in the cost-benefit calculation.

Starting materials

Production waste, post-consumer PET (bottle flakes, trays, etc.)

A real bonus

•  The IV increase up to the desired target value is the condition for a better product that can also sell at a higher price.

Production of PET pellets

The effective decontamination and the precisely controllable IV buildup turn the P:REACT also into the ideal technology for the production of recycled pellets (rPET pellets), usually upstream of the flexible distribution on different production lines for further processing. There is one special feature that makes P:REACT score highly: consistent quality output despite feeding the most varied production and post-consumer waste.

Starting materials

Practically all common starting materials can be used, some of which are loose film, reject rolls, fabrics, production waste, post-consumer PET (bottle flakes, trays, etc.)

A real bonus

• The IV increase up to the desired target value is the condition for a better product that can also sell at a higher price.
• The decontamination right in the melt phase is highly effective and improves the degree of purity of the finished rPET enormously.