MEAF Machines will introduce two new equipment series based on the patented Xtender technology, to be presented at K 2025. MDX-IV is designed to raise intrinsic viscosity (IV) and decontaminate rPET, enabling lower-IV batches to be processed to higher quality levels. MDX-DEO, in turn, is a system for decontaminating and deodorising thermoplastic recyclates, including PP, PE and PS. The solutions are targeted at producers in packaging, recycling, and film and sheet, and in the case of MDX-DEO also at manufacturers of carpet backings and automotive interior components, where odour and volatile component requirements have so far limited the share of secondary raw materials. At the regulatory level, MEAF’s solutions address the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which provides for a minimum of 30% recyclate in PET packaging and 10% in other product-contact packaging by 2030. From a business perspective, the manufacturer aims to increase flexibility in selecting different streams of regranulates under conditions where virgin materials remain cheaper than recycled materials, due in part to lower-cost feedstock supplies from the Middle East and Far East.
MDX-IV: raising IV and decontaminating rPET
MDX-IV is used to increase the intrinsic viscosity of rPET and to decontaminate it. The equipment enables upcycling of lower-IV feedstocks into higher-quality, higher-IV material, increasing flexibility in managing diverse streams of PET regranulate. Applications include packaging manufacture and film and sheet production, as well as recycling operations where parameter stability and material cleanliness are critical for application compliance.
MDX-DEO: deodorisation and decontamination of PP, PE and PS recyclates
MDX-DEO is intended for processing recyclates of other thermoplastics, in particular PP, PE and PS. The objective is to reduce nuisance odours and the content of volatile components and to decontaminate the material, paving the way for broader use of secondary raw materials in packaging, films and sheets, as well as in carpet backing and automotive interior production. The manufacturer notes that deodorisation and upcycling increase flexibility in using regranulates of varying quality and originating from different streams.
Xtender technology and line integration
Both series use the Xtender melt co-processing technology with enhanced mixing and devolatilisation performance, developed in cooperation with an Italian partner. Modules based on this technology can be installed as retrofits on both single-screw and twin-screw extruders. According to the manufacturer, commercial availability will cover global markets from the fourth quarter of 2025.
"With our revolutionary new MDX series, plastics processors gain more opportunities to reduce dependence on virgin feedstock and to align with the EU packaging directive, while lowering their carbon footprint" says Roald de Bruijne, sales manager at MEAF Machines. "Importantly, this can be achieved without compromising product quality or significantly increasing energy consumption. At MEAF we are proud to have developed the new MDX-IV and MDX-DEO series in line with our core values: high quality, compact machines with low energy consumption and a very competitive price."
Presentation at K 2025
An MDX-IV prototype will be displayed at MEAF’s stand in Hall 17 during K 2025. A presentation of MDX-DEO has also been announced. The company will be in Hall 17, stand A22.
