Manufacturing and Production

Plastics Recycling and Reprocessing Operations

Recycled plastic is bought on a specification and produced from a feedstock nobody controls, which makes sorting and contamination management the whole business rather than a preliminary to it. This course works from the input. Delegates work through polymer identification and the separation of streams that look identical and behave differently once melted. Collection, baling and the material recovery facility are covered. Sorting technology follows across manual, density, near infrared and electrostatic methods. Size reduction, washing and the removal of labels, adhesives and residues are addressed. Drying and moisture control are covered, since moisture degrades polyester during extrusion. Pelletising, filtration and degassing follow. Property loss through repeated processing is treated honestly, including chain scission and additive depletion. Compounding and property restoration are addressed. Food contact and regulatory requirements for recycled material are covered. The course closes on specification, on customer qualification and on the economics that decide viability.