BlueAlp and KraussMaffei Extrusion advance recycling

BlueAlp and KraussMaffei Extrusion have announced a partnership aimed at accelerating the development of plastics recycling. The partnership was presented at PRSE (Plastics Recycling Show Europe) in Amsterdam. The joint project focuses on BlueAlp’s solution in which ZE BluePower technology from KraussMaffei Extrusion is to be used, which is expected to improve operating parameters and product quality in the chemical recycling process.

As part of the collaboration, co-rotating ZE BluePower twin-screw extruders are to be installed at a BlueAlp plant being built in Italy by RES, a company active in sustainable waste management, as well as at BlueAlp’s plant in Ostend. According to the information provided, the extruders were designed for demanding recycling applications, with an emphasis on high energy efficiency. The stated benefits also include efficient material processing at high melt temperatures and high melt pressure.

Validation at the Technology Center in Laatzen

For the pyrolysis process, ZE BluePower is expected to ensure efficient, stable and reliable conditioning of the plastic material. According to the partners, this was confirmed by extensive testing carried out at the Technology Center in Laatzen.

The Technology Center is also expected to support further process optimization at BlueAlp and provide application support during operation. The parties indicate that the close link between development work and implementation is intended to deliver measurable benefits for the project.

Ralf Benack, Managing Director of KraussMaffei Extrusion, comments: "The BlueAlp project is a prime example of how our extrusion technology can make a decisive contribution to scaling up chemical recycling processes. At the same time, it demonstrates the added value we can offer our customers throughout the entire process development cycle through our Technology Center. We look forward to collaborating with BlueAlp and working together to drive innovative solutions forward"

Industrial scale and the regulatory context

BlueAlp emphasizes that through the collaboration it intends to accelerate the scaling of its chemical recycling technology and efficiently return plastic waste to the recycling loop.

Valentijn de Neve, CEO of BlueAlp, states: "This partnership is an important building block in our technology and roll-out strategy. KraussMaffei Extrusion’s proven track record, combined with its ability to adapt and innovate, makes it an ideal partner. Together, we are well positioned to accelerate plastic recycling"

The announcement also highlights the importance of a circular approach in which plastic waste becomes a valuable resource. It states that in February 2026 the European Union adopted mass balance rules, described as an important milestone for chemical recycling, and that regulation, innovation and the value chain together are driving an increase in investment in this segment.