BellandVision of Germany has introduced a water-soluble polymer

BellandVision of Germany has introduced a water-soluble polymer

BellandVision of Pegnitz, Germany, has introduced a new material that it claims can be recycled “as easily and economically as paper and cardboard”. BellandMaterial is a water-soluble polymer based on styrene and acrylate monomers containing free carboxyl groups. These guarantee defined solubility in a special process, which can also be carried out after separation of the material to be treated from mixed waste with filters and screens.

Molecular cleaning removes oligomer materials that have penetrated the material during use. Treatmented by weak inorganic acids such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acids, or organic acids such as formic and citric acid, results in precipitation of BellandFlock material. This is dried and processed into BellandMaterial granulate for injection moulding or thermoforming.

The recycled material is expected to be used for labels, protective films, bags and as an intermediate binding layer in composite products. The company has invested around E150m to develop the new material and its associated recycling process.