Direct Recycling of Nonwovens

With over 56 years of producing machinery for plastics recycling, Sikoplast has developed a strong global reputation as an innovator in new technology for recycling plastics in many forms. Today, Sikoplast has over 1000 lines in operation with greater than 300 based on Sikoplast proven Sikorex direct re-feeding of spunmelt nonwoven edge trim and start up waste. In short, Sikorex uses a special side extruder with a technologically advanced conical screw design with one or two independently working draw-in devices. Edge trim and start up waste is fed directly from the production line back into the main extruder in melt form thus bypassing costly steps of size reduction, intermediate storage, melting, pelletizing, transporting and re-melting once again.

Sikorex technology allows for quick and efficient processing of waste using very little space. These system also use much less energy than classic repelletizing systems and have a lower overall investment cost resulting in a quicker payback. In addition, Sikorex systems can be retrofitted to any existing line.

As an innovator in "in line" recycling technology, Sikoplast has recently developed new techniques for recycling spunmelt nonwovens treated with hydrophilic surfactants. In the past, hydrophilically treated nonwoven fabrics have been recycled successfully but more often by repelletizing. With these new developments, Sikoplast has modified the widely successful Sikorex extruder by equipping it with a longer screw (6 x L/d), a vacuum system for degassing as well as a melt pump for precise melt feeding. These components together allow for the direct feed of hydrophilic nonwoven material at high throughputs.