How can the circular economy actually work in plastics processing? Students on the “Engineering” course and the “Sustainable Plastics Processing” module have been asking themselves precisely this question over the past few weeks – and have gained exciting insights into companies that implement innovative recycling solutions.
It all started at Böhme GmbH Wertstofferfassung in Rehau. Managing Director Stefan Böhme gave an impressive presentation on the hurdles involved in sorting and recycling packaging. His practical examples of greenwashing and the critical examination of different methods for calculating recycling rates made a particular impression. Plant manager Lars Hillebrand then gave the students a tour of the state-of-the-art sorting plant, which achieves a sorting rate of over 50% using NIR scanners and automated conveyor systems – strong evidence of effective recycling management in the packaging sector.
At the POLIFILM Group, the students were given an insight into film recycling at POLICYCLE Deutschland GmbH. Thomas Schlüter (Managing Director of POLIFILM Extrusion GmbH), Tino Amler (Plant Manager of POLICYCLE Deutschland GmbH) and Ralf Hoffmann (Head of R&D) took a lot of time to explain the strategic goals and technical processes. Plant manager Tino Amler’s “living room” – recycling production – was particularly impressive with its innovative processes and palpable enthusiasm for sustainable solutions. For many students, this was a motivational boost to continue on their chosen path.
The visits to KomRec-ReCond GmbH and Barthmann Recycling GmbH showed how important post-industry recycling is for sustainable plastics processing. Managing Director Olaf Thannheiser vividly explained how production waste, punching waste and returns are turned back into high-quality plastic granulates that replace primary raw materials. In view of the new EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), this recycling approach will become even more important in future – companies will have to make their material strategies more sustainable and provide evidence of the use of recycled materials.
Finally, at the beginning of June, Saperatec, a true pioneering company, was on the agenda. Tobias Otto, development engineer, showed how Saperatec succeeds in separating polyethylene coatings from composite materials – such as Tetra Pak packaging – and making the recovered PE usable again as recyclate. An important contribution to realizing closed material cycles.
The excursions illustrate that sustainable material cycles not only require technical knowledge, but also partnership-based cooperation between research, industry and future specialists.
We would like to thank everyone involved for the open doors, the intensive exchange and the practical insights!
