EREMA sees growing demand for large-scale PET recycling systems
24.03.2025Demand for high performance solutions for bottle-to-bottle recycling is increasing worldwide. In view of this trend, the specifications for PET recycling machines to handle higher capacities are also growing. With VACUREMA® technology, EREMA offers a proven system that enables throughputs of up to 6 t/h.
"The need for high-performance PET recycling systems is growing. More and more customers are specifying large-scale systems with higher throughput capacities to meet the increasing demand for high-quality rPET," says Christoph Wöss, Business Development Manager for the Bottle segment at EREMA ahead of Chinaplas
© EREMA GmbH
"While the bottle-to-bottle market initially tended towards 3-tonne machines, over the past three years we have been seeing increasing demand for PET recycling solutions with throughputs in excess of 3 t/h," says Christoph Wöss, Business Development Manager for the Bottle segment at EREMA. In total, a dozen VACUREMA® machines with throughput capacities of four to 6 t have been installed and commissioned worldwide since 2020. "Together, these large recycling machines produce almost 350 000 t of rPET per year, which is a clear sign that this order of magnitude is now commonplace in the industry," adds Christoph Wöss.
The highest throughput capacities with maximum flexibility
With VACUREMA® technology, EREMA offers a proven system for throughputs between 600 and 6000 kg/h. This technology achieves impressively efficient decontamination and gentle IV treatment and fulfils the strict requirements of the European and North American food safety authorities. Even the basic version produces food-grade rPET, providing the basis for a wide range of end applications. Whether the pellets are then used with SSP for IV adjustment for bottle-to-bottle or high IV applications, an additional upstream vacuum treatment enables direct connection to preform production, or the material is processed inline into sheets or fibres, the VACUREMA® is a versatile all-rounder with food-grade certification. "This versatility allows users to react flexibly to changes in the market and fluctuations in demand, an important advantage in a dynamic market environment," says Christoph Wöss.
VACUREMA® system for bottle-to-bottle recycling: flexible technology that enables throughputs of up to 6 t/h and produces food-safe rPET even with the basic version
© EREMA GmbH
Advanced VACUNITE® technology for the highest rPET quality
Applications with especially high material quality requirements are covered by advanced VACUNITE® technology. It combines the proven VACUREMA® system with integrated vacuum-assisted SSP in a nitrogen atmosphere. This combination further optimises the material properties and significantly reduces the yellowing of the pellets, which is an important quality factor in bottle-to-bottle recycling. What is more, the closed nitrogen cycle and optimised process control ensure even lower nitrogen consumption, and ultimately, a particularly efficient and environmentally friendly process. VACUNITE® technology is available on machines for throughputs of up to 2500 kg/h that feature particularly low energy consumption and a compact design.
EREMA at Chinaplas
"In several markets, like Latin America, there is a clear trend towards larger PET recycling machines. We expect the market to develop this way in China too, to meet the increasing demand for high-quality rPET suitable for sensitive applications such as food packaging," says Christoph Wöss. EREMA has already installed more than 50 VACUREMA® and VACUNITE® systems in China, but only a few with throughputs in excess of 4 t/h. Christoph Wöss sees opportunities here: "For Chinese recyclers, the bandwidth and flexibility of the VACUREMA® and VACUNITE® systems offer great potential for a wide variety of applications. We are looking forward to discussing the various options in more detail at Chinaplas." EREMA will be represented at Chinaplas in Shenzen from April, 15 to 18 in Hall 10, Stand B41.
