U.K. recycler Re-Gen installs new model Bollegraaf baler

Colin Doherty, director of Re-Gen

Netherlands-based Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions and U.K.-based recycling company Re-Gen have finalized the installation of a new Bollegraaf HBC-140 baler, one of the “next-generation” Bollegraaf HBC balers.

Re-Gen operates a strategically located materials recovery facility (MRF) that serves public and private sector organizations throughout the U.K. and Ireland. The MRF, capable of processing in excess of 120,000 metric tons of commingled dry recyclable waste per year, employs 40 staff members and features an automated sorting line, the company says.

Equipment supplier Bollegraaf says the HBC-140 offers a significantly reduced rate of wire breakage and lower energy consumption, thereby producing heavier bales. This contributes to the production of compact, heavy bales for maximized freight and handling efficiency.

“A baler is at the heart of any recycling facility, and Re-Gen wanted to ensure the design of this new installation achieved the most efficient processing plant possible,” says Colin Doherty, director of Re-Gen. “One of the main selection criteria, as part of its competitive purchasing process, was the bale weight for plastics. Bollegraaf was the only company that offered the self-learning, electronic control channel pressure. It is self-regulating and adapts to the material being baled in the channel. This system can increase your bale weight by 10 to 20 percent compared to traditional channel pressure systems.”

“We’re very happy with the results of the final installation,” Doherty continues. “Our goals have been more than achieved, the capacity is enormous. We now work two to three hours less per day, big savings!”

Bram Bos, sales director at Bollegraaf Recycling Solutions, observes, “With more than 50 years of experience, Bollegraaf is one of the most knowledgeable suppliers in the market. We know there is no single specification for the composition of waste, which is why we believe versatility is key. It inspires us to engineer, build and deliver tailor-made solutions that are easy to use, have a low cost of ownership, perform to your specifications, and offer an excellent return on investment.

For example, Bos points out, a high bale weight cannot be reached with only five wires. In order to prevent the wires snapping at maximum compression force, bales normally will require cross-wires or double wires. Thus the cost of using double binding wire will be double. Furthermore, switching from single to double or cross wires takes time, he adds.

“At Re-Gen, we used only the upper thread as double wire. In practice this is sufficient to keep the heavily compressed bales together. The big advantage is the wire consumption is reduced by two-thirds compared to cross wires or double wire,” Bos says.

Bollegraaf says the company has a long tradition of producing “best-in-class” balers and have recently introduced several innovations and upgrades to the company’s existing line of HBC balers:
 

• Self-learning channel pressure: This major development is the self-learning, electronic channel pressure control, the company says. It is self-regulating and adapts to the material being baled in the channel. This system can potentially increase bale weights by 10 to 20 percent, Bollegraaf says, compared with traditional channel pressure systems.
• Eco-design: The motors of the HBC-140 baler are equipped with a frequency drive control, enabling them to run at a low revolutions per minute (RPM), in case the feed of material is insufficient. According to Bollegraaf, this Eco-design provides electricity savings of up to 30 percent. One of the most prominent features of these balers is the company’s Variable Frequency Drive resulting in significantly less energy consumption and less noise during operation, Bollegraaf says. Designed with an efficient hydraulic block, the baler also can automatically switch to standby mode after 180 seconds.