Wittmann Granulators Lead the Way for the Circular Economy
Interplas 2023 sees Wittmann Battenfeld UK presenting large cost and energy-saving opportunities for injection moulders who wish to profit from efficient recycling technology.
Mechanical recycling – the physical repurposing of moulded parts and sprues – will be a key part of the future plastics circular economy: It is estimated, for example, that mechanical recycling alone will reduce 27% of thermoplastics CO2 emissions by 2050.
Within plastics processing businesses, in-house mechanical recycling is more commonly known as reprocessing, and Wittmann’s InGrinder granulator-based solutions have been leading the way.
The Wittmann in-house magazine – Innovations – has recently covered in detail the reprocessing successes of two Wittmann Battenfeld UK customers – Rugby Plastics and also White Horse Plastics.
Both injection moulders are profiting differently from Wittmann’s InGrinder recycling technology.
Dan Williams, Wittmann Battenfeld UK Joint Managing Director, says that “our InGrinder system took its basic inspiration from our Insider automation solutions. We believe that we offer the most compact and cost-effective moulder recycling systems today. Since factory space is always at a premium, our InGrinder solutions are always in demand.”
Dan adds that “thanks in great measure to the continuing product development and granulator expertise from Wittmann France we also offer leading edge recycling performance for UK moulders; demonstrating advances in superior blade and cutting technology; dust and fines management; noise control; guarding and other ergonomic advantages.”
A typical example of product innovation comes in the form of Wittmann’s S-Max Dual 6, which will be shown at Germany’s Fakuma exhibition this coming October 17-21. The new granulator replaces the Junior Double 6 model, the main difference being that the two 2.2kW motors are now arranged vertically to enable the smallest possible footprint. The rotation speed has been set at 27 rpm, ensuring maximum torque for the granulation of hard and brittle materials, less wear and tear and – always key for Wittmann – low energy consumption.
Tracy Cadman, Joint Wittmann Battenfeld UK MD, says that “anyone who attended the K exhibition in Düsseldorf last October will have witnessed the Wittmann commitment to developing the sustainable economy: We are leaders in energy efficiency throughout the production cell; injection moulding, materials drying, automation, and mould temperature control. Last but not least our InGrinder systems ensure that every last gramme of value can be recovered from the polymer materials used. We are looking forward to demonstrating the technology in detail at Interplas 2023 this year. Come and see us!”
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