Hydro Polymers starts up PVC recycling technology

Hydro Polymers starts up PVC recycling technology
By John Whitehead

25 September 2003 – Hydro Polymers this week launched a new recycling technology for PVC which it believes will play a big role in removing waste polymer from landfill.

The process is based on a Battenfeld 130mm twin screw extruder, modified with sophisticated technology to remove non PVC contaminants from the feedstock flow.

The recycled material will form a new product line, to be marketed under the EcoVin brand as a recycled alternative for use in standard extrusion equipment.

Feedstock in the UK will be provided by a network of PVC recyclers such as Epwin’s Dekura arm and Ecoplas of Scotland, who will collect product, initially from users of PVC such as window manufacturers.

They will supply Hydro’s Newton Aycliffe plant with crude chip material, which the PVC major will then compound on the Battenfeld. Initially, the new line will have the capability to produce up to 5,000 tonnes of EcoVin a year, but this figure will grow.

The EcoVin line is available in a limited non-colour match range and typically will be targetted at applications with a skin of virgin product; however extrusion performance is claimed to be very similar to virgin PVC-U materials.