References
Sustainability and resource efficiency are core values of the POLYTEC GROUP. Reusable containers are both produced and recycled at the company's site in Austria. To this end, the company relies on its own recycling plant. An UNTHA RS50 is used as a pre-shredder to prepare the boxes for processing in a subsequent cutting mill. The granulate obtained from this process is then processed into new reusable containers for food logistics in the wholesale and retail sectors.
The client
Founded in 1986, the POLYTEC GROUP is one of the leading developers and manufacturers of high-quality plastic solutions. Headquartered in Austria, the company employs around 3,000 people worldwide. As a full-service provider, POLYTEC specialises in injection moulding, fibre-reinforced plastics and original accessories made of plastic and stainless steel. Among other things, the company produces plastic components for the automotive and commercial vehicle industries, as reusable packaging such as logistics containers for food and plants, which are used in wholesale and retail trade throughout Europe.
The problem
POLYTEC GROUP produces reusable containers in Ebensee, Austria, for retail use. When these reach the end of their life cycle, they are returned for recycling. This process begins with a pre-shredder, which prepares the boxes for further processing in a cutting mill.
REQUIREMENTS
- Shredding to < 5.9 inch
- Throughput capacity of approx. 3 t/h
- Feeding by conveyor belt
- Back pressure device
The solution
An UNTHA shredding solution is used for the pre-shredding of the plastic containers: the RS50 4-shaft shredder features two 30 kW drive motors and a frequency converter for speed adjustment and optimised throughput. The shredder is also equipped with a hydraulic feed device, automatic central lubrication, a special hopper and a discharge conveyor belt with a metal separator. The RS50 is fed with material via a special conveyor system and shredded at a rate of around 3 tonnes per hour to a fraction size of < 5.9 inches. Depending on the quantity of material, the shredder runs in two or three shifts and is characterised by high resistance to contaminants and machine availability.
The shredded plastic is then sent to a cutting mill for further shredding, washed and processed into regranulate, which is used to manufacture new boxes.
The RS50 is the perfect pre-shredder for us. Its compact and robust design and throughput capacity of 3 t/h make it ideal for preparing material for the subsequent cutting mill. Plastic boxes are shredded evenly and prepared for recycling.
Günter Stieger
Head of Industrial Engineering POLYTEC Ebensee
