Weima America,  Fort Mill, S.C., has partnered with the Italian plastics recycling machinery supplier Gamma Meccanica to supply a PET (polytheylene terephthalate) recycling line for the plastics recycling company Palmetto Synthetics LLC, Kingstree, S.C.

The line begins with a Weima WLK 15 shredder and features a GM125 Compac with Ecotronic control system (cutter-compactor), extruder, screen changer and underwater pelletizer. According to Weima, the entire production line is capable of recycling PET into yarn, fabric, sheet and film.

Early in the process, the material is shredded by the Weima system. The company says its WLK shredder is built for high-throughput quantities and is suitable for processing most plastics. The shredder features a rotor with adjustable counterknives that are designed to provide optimal shredding results.

After the material is shredded, it is introduced to the Compac’s cutter-compactor. Using the Ecotronic system, the material undergoes a "predrying" and densification process under a controlled temperature before entering the extruder, Weima says. The Compac unit accepts up to 10 percent moisture to eliminate meltdowns and saves up to 40 percent in energy consumption for the compactor motor. The machine also offers variable speed control.

The GM125 extruder features a high-performance degassing system and uses either a twin- or double-vent with high vacuum pumps to remove any possible residual moisture that is not extracted by the Ecotronic cutter-compactor, Weima says. The screen changer, which is connected to the extruder, features a design made for working with PET material and capable of filtering down to 25 micron, the company adds. 

The end of the line features an underwater pelletizer capable of processing all types of materials, Weima says, especially those with high fluidity, such as PET, hot melt, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and nylon, among others. The production capacity is 1000 kilograms per hour.

After the recycling phase, granules are treated using the MOBY system, which uses infrared radiation and vacuum processes simultaneously to remove contamination and water, resulting in desiccated, dehumidified and crystalized granules. According to Weima, the MOBY system can produce recycled PET granules that are suitable for direct food contact.