Page 44 - Plastics News December 2022

Vecoplan helps processors to implement all stages of the circular economy
climate-damaging greenhouse gas and tear-resistant and very elastic -
emissions can be reduced by up to which makes shredding all the more
50% if recyclate is used instead of difficult. “A homogeneous output
new granulate from crude oil. We material is optimal for all downstream
have to leverage this potential.” processes,” explains Schmidt. “That’s
However, recycling is not only why excessive lengths and fine particles
crucial for climate neutrality, it also should also be avoided because they
conserves valuable resources and can cause disruptions or losses during
the environment. A wide range of the process.” In addition, to ensure
industries in the plastics industry are effective downstream processing of
undergoing a transition. The aim is the plastics, the characteristics of the
to increase the recycling rate and input material must not be changed
use the advantages of plastic in such by the heat input that arises during
urope wants to be climate- a way that no damage is caused to the shredding.
Eneutral by 2050 – and the circular environment. The increasing demand Focused on energy efficiency
economy for plastics will make a telling in the various industries is leading to Vecoplan relies on its exceptional
contribution. The core element of the a tense supply situation and acting as HiTorc drive to achieve the best
EU Packaging and Packaging Waste a price driver. “We’re seeing a clear possible energy efficiency during
Directive is the recycling rate. By trend towards increased demand shredding. Thanks to eliminating
2025, member countries must recycle for high-quality plastic recyclates. mechanical drive elements such
at least 65% of their packaging waste, Many manufacturers are closing their as belt and gear drives, flywheels
which will increase to 70% by 2030. cycles because that enables them to and clutches, the direct drive is 10-
influence this demand and deal with
The production of goods and 15% more efficient. The HiTorc is
commodities generates harmful it,” explains Martina Schmidt. dynamic, has a strong start-up phase,
emissions that increase the natural Taking recycling into their own hands is low-maintenance and is insensitive
greenhouse effect. This inevitably Processors can quickly and cost- to extraneous materials. Even one
leads to temperature changes with effectively satisfy the demand for unscheduled plant stoppage caused
far-reaching consequences for the high-quality recyclates by taking by a broken shaft, burnt overload
climate. Greenhouse gas emissions reprocessing into their own hands clutch or defective gear is enough
must therefore be reduced by at least and following a holistic approach. to justify using a HiTorc drive since
55% throughout Europe by 2030, and “We work closely with our customers it significantly reduces maintenance
Europe intends to be climate-neutral in developing our solutions,” says work and downtimes. “Our HiTorc is
by 2050. “The circular economy is Schmidt. “In the past, processors the Tesla among today’s drives,” says
one of the tools that can be used to always came to us with new Martina Schmidt.
achieve these goals,” says Martina challenges, which motivated us then - Technology is key
Schmidt, who heads the Recycling and still does today - to actively shape
and Waste division of Vecoplan this change.” Achieving the optimal coordination
AG. Vecoplan is one of the leading for the case at hand then continues
suppliers of machinery and equipment The shredding of the materials is with the selection of the ideal cutting
for processing primary and secondary particularly challenging. For example, unit, and here Vecoplan technicians
raw materials for thermal and material yarns, fibres and filaments are available work closely with their customers.
recycling. “In the field of product in different thicknesses, in various “We develop shredders, which we
design and packaging, using recycled and often extreme lengths and are individually coordinate through many
plastics offers many possibilities for made from various plastics. However, tests in our technology centre. The
substitution,” says the Vecoplan despite all their differences, they test results are documented, made
expert. “According to the UMSICHT also share some unique mechanical available to the customer and included
study by the Fraunhofer Institute, properties - they are tough, wear- in our database,” says Schmidt.

44 PLASTICS NEWS December 2022