Extrusion International 3-2023

48 Extrusion International 3/2023 scenario. They are capable of detecting and accurately sorting polyolefins by polymer type, as well as separat - ing different colors, generating multiple fractions at the same time. With the integration of the most advanced flake sorting technologies in a recycling plant, materials can be shredded and washed in a single line before en- tering the flake sorting process. This, in turn, eliminates the need for multiple lines or batch processing. Embrac- ing these solutions gives recyclers access to huge quan- tities of post-consumer materials to create high-purity fractions of rPE and rPP. Flexibility for predictably higher yield Infeed materials continue to become more complex. Depending on the respective contamination level and purity requirements, supplementary sorting steps are often required to purify the target fraction. Smaller op- erators with flake sorting installations can reap a lot of benefits from the system's capabilities and efficiencies. First, flake sorters can be easily integrated into existing plants because they require little space compared to other processing machinery, which makes them ideal for upgrading the sorting and purification capabilities of an existing recycling line. Second, it is possible to run multiple sorting steps within a single unit. This means operators can choose to balance throughput in favor of higher recovery rates and purity levels as needed. At the same time, smaller recycling companies can profit from the flexibility of processing a wider range of materials, thanks to the possibility of working in batches on a sin- gle unit. The scenario is different in high-volume plants, where operators can install multiple sorting machines in parallel or cascade setups to maximize throughput and qualities without increasing operation times. Re- gardless of the installation setup, flake sorters offer unrivaled flexibility, performance and generate reliable flake qualities. Thus, the sorting results are predictable and so is the recycler’s yield. Blue skies ahead Today, an extensive product portfolio of flake sort - ing solutions exists to meet both current and future de- mands. Plastic recyclers on the quest to source more ma- terials or scale up their operations rely on best-in-class flake sorters. Whether PET, PP or PE, clear, blue, green or any opaque colored materials, today’s advanced sys- tems produce high–purity, mono-material and color- segregated fractions. Moreover, they withstand tough conditions, process large volumes and produce high- quality secondary feedstock. Flake sorting machines save space and reliably generate predictable results that lead to maximum yield. Their efficiency paired with the system’s flexibility enable a rapid return on investment and give operators a competitive edge, now and in the long term. The potential flake sorting holds is very promising and future-forward. When these technologies are in- tegrated at scale and combined with modern extrusion and de-odorization processes, the future of plastics re- cycling will make an evolutionary change. The author Alberto Piovesan, Global Segment Manager Plastics at TOMRA Recycling Sorting TOMRA Sorting GmbH Otto-Hahn-Str. 2-6, 56218 Mülheim-Kärlich, Germany www.tomra.com/recycling RECYCLING Easy to change configurations for maximum flexibility