Poineer Polymers Ltd and its Associates adhere to tried-and-tested recycling processes, using experienced, fully trained technicians. We also strive to embrace new technology and introduce leading-edge techniques to speed up and refine these processes for our customers where possible.
Stage 1
Initial preparation
Due to their inherent lightness in relation to volume, it is seldom cost-effective to transport plastics by truck unless they are first compressed. This is achieved in two main ways.
- Baling - special baling machines are used to form dense, uniformly-shaped, stackable bales, secured by twine or wire, that can be palletised for easy loading by forklift or Hiab crane. Baling removes as much air as possible, reducing volume by up to 90% to vastly increase the amount of plastic that can be transported compared to un-baled loads.
- Compacting - modern compactors break down certain plastics - usually expanded polystyrene - and use a heat process to form them into briquettes that can be recycled to generate revenue.
Stage 2
Main preparation
Next, plastics we receive need to be sorted and purged of labels, foil, dirt and other residues using several processes.
- Sorting - the recycling industry has benefitted from huge technological advances in waste sorting processes, many of which are incorporated by Sharp Polymer Solutions to produce the purest recycled plastics possible.
- Sawing - granulation and shredding equipment is size-limited, and sawing enables items like large Packaging boxes , lengths of piping and other bulky construction materials to be cut down to manageable size.
- Stripping - much of the plastic we recycle needs to be liberated from consumer goods, furniture, wheelie bins, vehicles, machinery and other items containing metal, wood, glass or different types of plastic. This entails a stripping down process.
- Washing & drying - to prevent contamination of the end product, it is vital that plastics are washed to remove food and drink residues, grease, dust and other potential contaminants.
Stage 3
Size reduction process
Prior to the final stages of recycling, plastics must be reduced to more manageable size, so that they can be easily introduced to the final processing machines.
- Shredding - the initial stage of size reduction involves powerful, hydraulic shredding machines with spinning rotors that rip the plastics into smaller pieces, usually around 60mm, ready for the next stage.
- Granulation - granulator machines use cutting knives that rotate at extremely high speeds to further reduce the size of the pieces - referred to as reground or regrind. A perforated screen beneath the blades determines the size of the final, uniformly-shaped fragments, usually set at 10-12mm in diameter.
Stage 4
Blending and Compounding
Blending and compounding process will carry out by our network associates and the material will send to them.