Profitable Recycling: German Company Relies on ZSK Twin Screw Extruders from Coperion
For decades Coperion’s high-performance ZSK extruders have been used in various plastics applications – especially those that require high torque and gentle handling of the material. In recycling applications where the quality of the end-product is a decisive factor for further processing, the ZSK’s technological characteristics are particularly beneficial.
For this reason, one of Coperion’s customers, Aurora Kunststoffe, a company located in Neuenstein / Germany and member of the MOL Group since late 2019, has been relying on ZSK twin screw extruders for many years. After a major fire in the production facility in 2017, the recycling company decided to rebuild and expand its production with three ZSK 45 extruders from Coperion. These new systems were successfully taken into operation in 2019, reaching an output of up to 650 kg/h per ZSK 45.
Profitable Business Model Based on Recycling and Upcycling of Production Waste
Aurora’s business model is based on the production of recycled pellets. Aurora buys production waste from various manufacturers and combines it with additives to create new raw material for compounders.
First, the composition and varietal purity of the incoming material is thoroughly examined and prepared for the next process steps. Afterwards, single-variety plastic waste is ground, fed into the compounding process and pelletized. The end-products are homogeneous high-quality plastic pellets on a PA6, PA66, PA11, PA12, POM, PP, PC, and PC-ABS basis.
Coperion Delivers Customized Compounding Systems
To meet Aurora’s specific requirements, Coperion designed three customized ZSK 45 twin screw extruders. The systems are equipped with ZS-EG side devolatization units as well as special wear protection on product-contact parts. Furthermore, the set-up involves semiautomatic SCP 200 strand conveying systems from Coperion Pelletizing Technology which automatically convey the plastic strands via a cooling water chute and a conveyor belt to the strand pelletizer’s feed mechanism. There, they are cut into high-quality pellets – Aurora’s final product. Thanks to the system’s flexibility and high torque, Aurora can easily adapt the process parameters and recipes to the various raw materials. In this way, they are not only more flexible but can offer their customers recycled pellets without any variations in quality.
Jochen Schofer, Business Segment Manager, Recycling & Direct Extrusion at Coperion is convinced of Aurora’s approach and their contribution to the Circular Economy: “Aurora Kunststoffe is taking an absolutely leading role for us; their company concept is not only profitable, it’s sustainable too! We’re proud to support Aurora Kunststoffe with our compounding and engineering know-how!”
Learn more about Coperion’s plastics recycling solutions:
https://www.coperion.com/en/industries/plastics/recycling
