Erema debuts EcoGentle technology

Austria-based Erema Group GmbH is releasing its EcoGentle plasticizing technology at K 2022, which takes place Oct. 19-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

According to Erema, EcoGentle unit reduces energy consumption. When the EcoGentle is used in conjunction with Erema’s Vacurema Basic 2628 T system, the system resulted in up to 12 percent total energy savings and 30 to 47 percent energy savings for the extruder drive on Vacurema Basic plants from size 2021 and up.

Combining the EcoGentle plasticizing unit technology with Erema’s Counter Current technology also improves the interaction between the intake section and extruder screw on the system. Erema says the optimization of compression ratios ensures better feeding performance and the selective exploitation of elongation flows, along with other rheological optimizations, to result in a more homogeneous melt and a wider process window. The company adds that this makes it easier to compensate for fluctuations in the input material without negatively impacting process stability.

Additionally, Erema says EcoGentle handles the melt in “an impressively gentle way” due to the lower temperature on the unit. According to Erema, the EcoGentle enables the system to achieve lower acetaldehyde values, which translates to producing higher quality recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) pellets.

“All in all, this is a package that enables our customers to increase productivity and noticeably reduce costs,” says Michael Heitzinger, managing director at Erema.

3S, a sister company to Erema GmbH, manufactures components for the EcoGentle in Austria.

Erema says it plans to continue to focus on developing technology to advance recycling for PET and other polyolefins. “The push for a circular economy demands it, and we will deliver with our usual quality and reliability,” Heitzinger says.