Hellweg Maschinenbau defied odds last year, seeing an increase of 30% to 50% in output by the end of 2023, at a time when many European plastics recyclers were seeing double-digit percentage drops in sales.
The German machinery manufacturer is now capitalising on that increase in output, having signed a new distribution agreement with Poland-based Flexal Group. Flexal is now Hellweg’s sales partner in Poland, where it will be responsible for maintenance and technical advice for the complete range of Hellweg grinders.
Flexal is a distributor of machines for thermoplastics and rubber processing as well as automation solutions. Its portfolio also includes pellet dryers, centralised feeding systems, conveyor belts, laboratory extruders, robots, dosing devices, amongst others.
Hellweg’s new MDSGi 1500/600 wet grinder, launched at Fakuma 2023, is likely to be a popular choice. It uses low-power motors rated from 45 kW to 110 kW, which enable previously unattained low power consumption of just 70 kWh to 90 kWh, a huge advantage during the current high electricity price market. Forced feed of PET, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, polycarbonate, polylactic acid or PE films using a tamping screw ensures long-term, trouble-free operation even with contaminated input materials, achieving a throughput of up to 5 tonnes of film per hour.
Even though Hellweg only started commercialisation at Fakuma in October 2023, it received six orders for the rest of 2023 then, with another eight already booked for 2024.
The market for plastics recycling is set to grow in Poland from this year onwards. Poland will implement the European Union’s single use plastics directive on July 1, 2024. The directive also sets targets for recycled content in new products. From 2025, single-use plastic bottles are required to contain 25% recyclate, and 30% from 2030, for example.