Austrian plastics recycling machine manufacturer Erema Group has become a member of Chemical Recycling Europe. The company joined the association as of July 2021 to underline its ongoing commitment to improving networking and intensive cooperation within the plastics industry.
As a producer of machinery for mechanical recycling processes, the company aims to integrate recycling know-how into the value chain in such a way that benefits the environment, the industry, and society. Where the limits of what can be achieved with mechanical recycling are reached, as is the case for certain ‘unrecyclable’ material streams, other options must be pursued, if the European Union's targets for plastics recycling and the use of recyclates are to be achieved.
While chemical recycling presents a viable option to recycle the maximum volume of plastic waste, in many cases, mechanical processes are ‘at the beginning of the process chain for chemical recycling in order to prepare input streams and ensure a reliable, continuous and energy-efficient material feed’, said Klaus Lederer, Technology Research Manager - Chemical Recycling at Erema Group GmbH.
Erema therefore also offers extrusion equipment adapted to meet these specific requirements, which has already been deployed in existing chemical recycling plants. As a member of Chemical Recycling Europe, Erema can both contribute to the further development of chemical recycling processes as well as broaden the group's own understanding of the needs of plant operators and promote cooperation.
Over the past years, Erema Group has worked to bring players in the plastics industry together ‘to put proven Circular Economy solutions on the road even faster’, said Manfred Hackl, CEO of Erema Group GmbH. With chemical recycling, there are still a number of challenges to be solved.
"We will contribute as a member of Chemical Recycling Europe in the same way as we do in other recycling initiatives with great commitment and very good results!” Hackl ended.