Global demand for bigger PET recycling machines continues to rise, Austria-based recycling machinery manufacturer Erema said in a statement.
Since 2020, Erema has placed a dozen VACUREMA PET recycling machines with throughput capacities of four to six tonnes per hour on the market worldwide, contributing to the production of approximately 350,000 tonnes of recycled PET (rPET) annually.
Demand for higher throughput comes mostly from Latin America, the manufacturer said in a statement, but Erema anticipates a similar trend in China. The company has already installed over 50 VACUREMA and VACUNITE systems across the country but sees significant growth potential for high-throughput machines exceeding four tonnes per hour.
According to Christoph Wöss, business development manager for the bottle segment at Erema, the industry trend has shifted in recent years from machines processing three tonnes per hour to those handling even greater volumes.
“Over the past three years, we have observed increasing demand for PET recycling solutions exceeding three tonnes per hour,” said Wöss.
VACUREMA machines offer throughputs ranging 600 to 6,000 kilograms per hour. The system ensures efficient decontamination and maintains intrinsic viscosity (IV) levels to meet stringent food safety standards in Europe and North America. Even the basic version of the system produces food-grade rPET, making it suitable for a variety of applications.
“Users benefit from the versatility of VACUREMA, whether they process rPET into new bottles, sheets, or fibres,” explained Wöss. “Its adaptability allows recyclers to respond swiftly to market changes and fluctuations in demand.”
For applications requiring the highest material quality, Erema offers its VACUNITE technology, designed for throughputs of up to 2,500 kilograms per hour. The machine integrates vacuum-assisted solid-state polycondensation (SSP) within a nitrogen atmosphere. This innovation enhances material properties, minimises pellet yellowing, and improves overall efficiency through reduced nitrogen consumption and optimised process control.
In polyolefin recycling, Erema is also betting on bigger machines. At Fakuma 2024, the manufacturer launched its largest ever polyolefin recycling system. The INTAREMA 2325 is the largest size of the well-known INTAREMA system to date. The new model has a preconditioning unit diameter of 2.30 metres and an extruder screw with a diameter of 250 millimetres, reaching a throughput of over four tonnes per hour for polyolefin regrind.