Page 50 - Plastics News January 2020

produCt news

New generation of stabilizers for STADLER Delabeler provides

high-quality polyolefin recyclates high-quality plastic bottle sorting

raunhofer LBF and Brüggemann cooperate has ermany-based manufacturer. have introduced
Fcome together in developing new stabilizer systems GSTADLER Delabelers that offers a valuable solution
to improve the properties of polyolefin recyclates, for plastic bottle sorting plants. The company's label-
especially those made of polypropylene and polyethylene. removing technology is engineered to significantly
These pioneering stabilizers are capable of reducing improve the plastic bottle recycling process, increasing
the effects of previous damage to such an extent that output and purity rates. The powerful STADLER
recycled materials become suitable for processing Delabeler removes labels from bottles of all types,
into sophisticated molded products. In its ongoing
development, Fraunhofer LBF is collaborating closely with
L. Brüggemann GmbH & Co. KG, a leading manufacturer
of tailor-made high-performance additives for engineering
plastics, who will also be responsible for production
and worldwide distribution. Fraunhofer LBF has used its
extensive know-how on the effects of polymer additives
such as antioxidants, light stabilizers, flame retardants and
nucleating agents to tackle the special challenges posed
by recycled materials. Due to their special reactivity, the
new stabilizer systems have the potential to neutralize
the effects of previous damage, paving the way for the
production of recyclate with processing properties and
long-term heat stability that are similar to those of
virgin material. The new systems are based partially on achieving a quality standard of up to 80 percent of
renewable raw materials, additionally contributing to a labels removed. It processes a mass flow of up to nine
reduced CO2 impact on the environment. Achieving this tons per hour - depending on the particle size and
development target was accelerated with the support of material composition. The company saw an opportunity
the recently launched "Circular Plastics Economy" research to improve the process for plastic bottles and thus it
cluster, i.e. five institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft developed a specific solution to remove the labels.
working with their stakeholders to develop system services STADLER Delabeler's robust overall construction and
for a functioning circular plastics industry, ranging from extremely high resistance to impurities and troubling
materials result in excellent durability and mean that
it will deliver a consistent high performance throughout
its long life cycle. These machines are equipped with
blades made from high-tensile steel that are attached
to the rotor at one end so that they can oscillate
freely, and to the housing´s inner wall at the other.
The machine's other quality features include a rotor
with rotating arms, belt drive with tensioning pulley,
quality motor and gear box from SEW, maintenance
doors with safety lock, and an electrical cabinet with
prototypes and recycling to acceptance processes and frequency inverter and adjustable rotor speed - from
business models. Dr. Klaus Bergmann, Head of Polymer 20 to 60 Hz (80 to 240 rpm). Rok Mežič, Head of R&D
Additives at Brüggemann: "Continuous development is Slovenia for Stadler, who led the development process
an essential basis for our company's success. We are very of this machine says, “labels are made of a different
pleased to have entered into a cooperation agreement polymer and color than the bottles, which negatively
with the Fraunhofer LBF to expand our portfolio of affects the accuracy of the sorting process.
recycling additives to polyolefins.

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