Government regulations are becoming increasingly stringent: Starting in 2025, Germany, among other countries, will require a minimum recycled content of 25 percent for single-use PET beverage bottles. Beginning in 2030, the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) will tighten the requirements further, mandating a minimum recycled content of at least 30 percent across Europe.
To fulfil these strict requirements economically and with the highest level of purity, the use of high-precision screening machines in the processing workflow is essential. GKM Siebtechnik offers perfectly optimized machine models for this purpose at several key points in the recycling cycle.
Efficient cleaning of the wash water
In the recycling process, used PET bottles are first sorted, shredded and intensively washed. The GKM vibrating screening machine ensures the continuous cleaning and reuse of this wash water. A liquid distributor integrated into the lid ensures that the water is distributed absolutely evenly across the screen surface, guaranteeing constant, trouble-free operation. A specially adapted screen cleaning system is used to reliably prevent the mesh from becoming clogged by label residue or dirt particles. The tightness of the machine and the protection of the electrical components are ensured as standard for this screening application.
Precise separation and dust removal of PET flakes
After the drying process, the finished PET flakes must be precisely separation and dedusted for further processing, as a uniform particle size is crucial for the quality of the end product. The GKM vibrating screening machine handles this task. Since PET flakes can become electrostatically charged during dry screening, the machine is grounded as standard for this process. Precisely specified cut-offs and a highly efficient screen cleaning system guarantee continuous throughput without product jams or blinded mesh sizes.
Thanks to its flexible construction, the GKM tumbler screening machine can be precisely adapted at any time to specific customer requirements and individual plant designs. With this proven technology, GKM ensures that recyclers can meet tomorrow’s quality standards today.
