Reliable storage is a critical starting point for plastics processing, safeguarding material properties, preventing contamination and stabilising production. Raw materials arrive in bags, big bags, octabins or by tanker and rail, and may include sensitive technopolymers that require aluminium-lined or 20–25 kg polythene bags. Regardless of packaging or throughput, storage should integrate with automatic conveying to reduce manual feeding at processing machines. Moretto describes a modular approach that covers bag-to-bin transfer, indoor and in-outdoor silos, systems for big bags and octabins, and automation to prevent material mix-ups. The range includes options for poorly flowing materials, level control and contamination mitigation, as well as barcode and RFID checks that shift routine verifications to digital systems so operators can focus on quality-critical tasks.
Storage containers and options
The bag is the most common packaging on the market. To ensure continuous feeding at the injection moulding machine (IMM), material can be transferred into a bin that enables side suction to the machine hopper. These bins are available in 10 different sizes, allowing handling by hour, shift or day and limiting manual interventions.
- Bag-breaker screen
- Level sensors
- Star magnetic separator
- Multi-way suction valves
For granules, regrind and flakes, Moretto provides containers suitable for materials with poor flow characteristics and for integration with conveying.
CS, storage containers
Indoor and in-outdoor silos
For indoor installation, compact modular stainless-steel containers are available with capacities from 400 to 50,000 dmc. The series includes 24 UNI single-chamber and 24 TWIN double-chamber models. A bag-breaker screen can be fitted to ease emptying of bags or big bags. After storage in the SILBOX silo, material can be connected to an automatic conveying system. Options include level sensors.
For in-outdoor use, cylindrical stainless-steel silos feature a removable lid and one-way suction valves, with capacities from 1,800 to 30,000 dmc. Available options include:
- Cone with 60° inclination for poorly flowing materials
- Europa version support frame with parapets and connecting walkways
- Level sensors
- Bridge breaker system with pulsed suction valves
- Thrust loading system
Handling big bags and octabins
Baggy - the big bag is standard for non-hygroscopic granules such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The Baggy system uses a large support frame to empty without material loss. Its modular construction allows quick disassembly and stacking after emptying.
BAGGY, big bags unloader
SBB big bags unloader - for 800–1,000 kg and 1,500 kg big bags, the SBB system supports loading with forklift or crane. It includes a large granule collection tank, suction valve and a safety ring for secure opening of the spout. Versions for flakes and regrind add integrated shakers and safety protections. Options:
- Pulsed suction probe
- Forced fluidification
- Lower bridge-breaker for flakes
- Capacitive and/or vibrating level sensors
Fillbag - for filling big bags with granules, regrind or flakes, or when regrind must be stored for transport, Fillbag uses an inflation system to keep the bag open for streamlined filling. Options:
- Weighing of bag contents on pallet
- Printer for reports and weight labels
Oktobag - designed for complete emptying of big bags, Oktobag uses floating arms, the Wave system, to direct granules toward the centre where a suction probe recovers material and prevents loss. It also empties octabins by acting on the inner polythene bag. Versions: Blue with manual movement and control, Sky with programmable arms, and Lux for medical applications. An optional empty-bag detection valve signals when discharge is complete.
Oktomatik - this patented system empties up to 15 octabins per hour, about one every four minutes, to support high-throughput transfer to larger silos connected to conveying. It handles up to 1,500 kg octabins with hygroscopic materials or technical polymers. The inner polythene bag protects contents against environmental contamination and granule dispersion.
Tilter - for gaylords and octabins of 500–600 kg up to 1,000 kg, Tilter enables extraction by suction while the probe remains immersed. As the level drops, the tilting platform shifts the container to direct remaining granules to a bottom corner, achieving complete emptying without operator intervention.
Error prevention and material traceability
Daily bins - to avoid feeding machines with the wrong material, Daily bins use interlocking lids and an RFID tag that defines the intended granule type. The lid unlocks only when a barcode or QR code reader recognises the code stored on the tag. Containers are available in 10 sizes. After loading the correct material, a tag with the material name is attached. A networked RFID reader verifies that the container contents match the program, then authorises transfer to the IMM. This controlled sequence reduces manual interventions and supports consistent workflow.
CSR Barcode storage containers
Automated receiving and high-throughput unloading
Silcontrol - large-volume consumers often receive 25-tonne batches by road or rail tanker stored in multiple silos. Deliveries may be delayed or partial, which requires matching silo contents with the incoming material and ensuring sufficient free capacity. Upon arrival, the operator scans the delivery note barcode to activate Silcontrol, which verifies the ordered material, selects the correct target silo and ensures the tanker will be fully emptied. The selected silo opens its loading hose inlet, waits for connection and then transfers the load to the correct silo, reducing the risk of error. This is essential in very high consumption applications.
SVS 800 bag unloader - the automatic SVS 800 empties plastic granule bags from a full 1,000 kg pallet. A layer of five bags is gripped, cut and shaken with a programmable cycle, and the recovered granules are collected and conveyed by pressure or vacuum to one or more silos. Throughput is up to 800 bags per hour. An empty-bag compression system is available, and emptied pallets are stacked in a dedicated station. Options include:
- Roller conveyor for pallets to be emptied, up to 5
- Thrust loading group for transferring to silos
- Station for empty pallets
- Customisable layout in-line or T-shape
- Machine compliant with CE regulation
- Machine compliant with Industry 4.0 standards
- MOWIS Ready
SVS, bag unloader
The described applications illustrate core operations and controls for managing raw materials in granules with specialised machinery. The emphasis is on preventing human error by delegating repetitive checks to digital systems while operators focus on higher-level tasks. Moretto positions these storage and handling systems for integrated use with conveying at plastics processors.
