KraussMaffei Extrusion will present a comprehensive portfolio of plastics recycling solutions at Plastics Recycling Show Europe, PRSE, centered on the ZE BluePower series of co-rotating twin-screw extruders. The company said the application range covers both mechanical and chemical recycling, including solvent-based processes, depolymerization, pyrolysis and polyurethane recycling. An important part of this offering is the Technology Center in Laatzen, where customers can test, optimize and scale processes up to series production under conditions close to actual production. This infrastructure is complemented by a modern analytical laboratory and a partner network intended to support the development of solutions tailored to specific applications.
Lennart Eberlein, Head of Sales Compounding and Recycling at KraussMaffei Extrusion, emphasizes: "Whatever our customers are planning in recycling, we develop the right solution for them. At the same time, we have extensive references in the market." As the company notes, the importance of this approach is growing with stricter regulatory requirements such as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, PPWR. "Recycling is no longer an optional topic, but a central component of future-proof plastics processing. At the same time, raw material prices and regulatory pressure are rising. This makes it all the more important to take a holistic approach to recycling," adds Lennart Eberlein.
Mechanical recycling, from polyolefins to PET
In mechanical recycling, KraussMaffei Extrusion points to a broad range of processed materials, from polyolefins and PET to engineering plastics. The company notes that polyolefins, which are the main component of around two-thirds of all plastic packaging, offer very high recycling potential. According to Lennart Eberlein, the technologies used enable both food-grade recycling of rigid packaging and the upgrading of flexible and multilayer materials into high-quality films and compounds.
A similar approach applies to the mechanical recycling of PET, including bottle-to-bottle applications. "With ZE BluePower, we offer a particularly energy-efficient solution for PET processing. The system ensures gentle melting, effective removal of residual moisture and short residence times while maintaining intrinsic viscosity. Throughputs from 20 to 12,000 kg/h enable maximum scalability," says Lennart Eberlein.
Chemical recycling and solvent-based processes
Alongside mechanical processes, chemical recycling technologies are gaining increasing importance. In this area, KraussMaffei Extrusion offers solutions including feed extruders for depolymerization and pyrolysis processes. According to the company, ZE BluePower enables energy-efficient preparation of material for downstream processing. Vacuum degassing helps remove aggressive components from the process, reducing corrosion in the customer's reactor and extending system service life. Continuous melt filtration, in turn, lowers contamination levels and thus reduces process cleaning effort.
KraussMaffei Extrusion also offers efficient degassing extruders for downstream stages of solvent-based recycling processes.
Chemical recycling opens up new pathways for difficult-to-process plastic waste: KraussMaffei Extrusion offers innovative extrusion technologies for feeding downstream reactor systems, for example in pyrolysis and depolymerization.
As an example from its chemical recycling portfolio, the company also points to the purity glycoLine PU process, developed together with partners. This is a continuous extrusion process designed for the chemical recycling of polyurethane waste, enabling the recovery of valuable raw materials even from heavily contaminated material streams. According to the company, this solution is a cost-effective alternative to conventional batch processes.
Presentation of solutions at PRSE
At PRSE, KraussMaffei Extrusion intends to present recycling in a visual and interactive format. A dedicated exhibit table is to guide visitors through typical applications, from household packaging waste to automotive components and refrigerator recycling, presenting the corresponding technologies and process solutions.
The company will be present at PRSE at booth D130.
Efficient degassing: single-screw degassing extruders for solvent-based recycling
