In the recycling world, not all waste is created equal. While rigid plastics (like bottles and pipes) are straightforward to crush, soft materials—specifically plastic films and textile fibers—are notoriously difficult to process.
They wrap around rotors, jam screens, and melt under friction. Yet, they represent a massive portion of the waste stream.
To turn these problematic materials into profit, standard crushing is not enough. You need high-torque, low-speed shredding technology. This guide explores how specialized shredders are revolutionizing the recovery of film and fiber, turning potential landfill into valuable feedstock.
The Challenge: The “Soft Material” Problem
Before understanding the solution, we must respect the challenge.
- Plastic Films (LDPE/LLDPE/PP): Lightweight and flexible. In a standard granulator, films tend to “float” rather than feed, or worse, wrap tightly around the main shaft, causing downtime.
- Fibers (Textiles, Carpets, PP Raffia): Extremely high tensile strength. They don’t break easily; they tear. Without the right cutting geometry, they can cause catastrophic jams and motor burnouts.
The Solution: Single-Shaft Shredding Technology
The industry standard for overcoming these challenges is the Enkelvoudige as-shredder. Unlike high-speed granulators, these machines operate at lower speeds with massive torque, using a hydraulic ram to force material against the rotor.
1. Revolutionizing Fiber & Textile Recycling
Textile waste—from old clothes to industrial carpets—requires a machine that can shear through tough synthetic fibers without tangling.
A specialized Enkelassige versnipperaar voor textielafval is engineered for this exact purpose.
- Anti-opwindontwerp: The rotor knives are arranged to prevent long fibers from wrapping around the shaft.
- Process Integration: By breaking down bulk textiles into uniform pieces, the shredder prepares the material for downstream processes, ensuring smooth feeding into Kunststof pelletiseermachines without bridging or blocking the extruder throat.
- Volumevermindering: Loose textiles are voluminous and expensive to transport. Shredding increases bulk density significantly, optimizing logistics.
2. Optimizing Plastic Film Processing
For agricultural films, shrink wrap, and post-consumer bags, the shredder acts as the critical “first step” in the washing line.
- Pre-Washing Preparation: You cannot effectively wash a whole bale of film. Shredding opens up the material, exposing more surface area.
- Dieptereiniging: This size reduction is vital for the next stage. It ensures that water and mechanical force can effectively remove dirt, sand, and contaminants in the subsequent Wrijvingsschroefring.
- Protecting Equipment: By reducing the film to a consistent size (e.g., 40-60mm), you prevent clogging in pumps and conveyors further down the line.
Sustainability Meets Efficiency
Investing in the right shredder isn’t just an operational decision; it’s a sustainability strategy.
- Closing the Loop: By effectively processing difficult materials like dirty agricultural film or discarded carpets, recyclers can recover resources that were previously deemed “too hard to recycle” and sent to landfills.
- Energie-efficiëntie: Modern shredders with smart control systems (like auto-reverse on overload) consume less energy per ton compared to outdated, brute-force crushing methods.
- Higher Quality Recyclates: A clean, uniform cut leads to better washing results and, ultimately, a higher-quality recycled pellet that commands a better market price.
Conclusie
Shredders are the gatekeepers of the recycling plant. For rigid materials, they are helpful; for films and fibers, they are mandatory.
Whether you are dealing with high-tensile PP raffia or dirty agricultural films, the difference between a profitable operation and a maintenance nightmare often lies in your choice of shredder. By utilizing advanced equipment like the Enkelassige versnipperaar voor textielafval, you ensure your line runs smoothly—from the initial cut, through the friction washer, all the way to final pelletizing.
