For manufacturing of plastic parts, we use plastic (PP/POM/PBT) granules/pellets.
In addition to that we add some grinded plasticscrap as well.
I want to know, what percentage can be added along with virgin raw material. What are the factors affecting this decision. What is the effect of recycled plastic on properties of final part/product?
Dear Jagdeep Singh,
in the automotive business I had in the past, 10 % were the maximum as we could not make the housing of headlamps more robust by adding more thickness to frame.
I had a quick glimpse into the automotive materials data base IMDS, reading; "The definitions used for post-industrial and post-consumer recyclate are from the ISO 14021 definitions that are commonly used in many industries."
Here, we added a lot of our own post-industrial recyclates as these had the highest purities. Then, you can also add well sorted post-consumer recyclates if your supply sources can well differentiate between PP/POM/PBT. It depends on the purities you get on your local market.
Pursuing my interests in post shredder sorting technologies, I had visited www.galloo.com lately, where Mr. Delgado had shown me the shredding and sorting. I also recommend you to get in touch with the South German Plastics Centre via http://www.skz.de/en/index.html.
I suggest you approach your customers/end users with the question. And keep in mind that not all recyclates are "good" because they may contain phtalates as well as other plasticisers and brominated flame retardants. Many of these are not suitable for toys, drinking cups and the like.
Good luck with your project.
Best regards, Carsten Dietsche
To use regrind materials you are producing in the plant, one thing to consider is how many generations can this regrind go through your process. Even with low percentage try not to go beyond three generations. Your process has part to do with it if at that point you are starting to compromise the strength integrity. Also part of this determining what percentage of regrind to use will be based on your product and how much strength properties is needed. I have gone from 1% all the way to 100% with many types of plastic. As mentioned you will need to do experiment on the percentage base on you part design. I have ran PP at 25% for medical with only going to two generations and had no loss in strength integrity. Also make sure your actual process does not change too much. If so, make adjustments to your condition so your process is similar to virgin.
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