Originally a mechanical engineering firm, Krones has expanded its offerings to include bottling lines, packaging machines, and digital solutions. However, the company’s diversification doesn’t stop there.
It offers innovative technologies that enhance production efficiency and sustainability, especially for food and beverage manufacturers.
As the industry evolves, Krones continues to focus on meeting the changing demands of consumers and manufacturers alike, positioning itself at the forefront of modern beverage production.
That’s why Krones partnered with PureCycle Technologies, known for its patented process of purifying polypropylene waste into high-quality recycled resin, to advance the recycling of polypropylene and ‘close the loop’.
PureCycle Technologies’ innovative approach utilises a unique solvent-based method that separates and purifies polypropylene from contaminants and other plastics.
This process not only enhances the quality of the recycled material but also ensures that it meets the rigorous standards required for various applications, from automotive components to consumer goods.
Polypropylene is a plastic that poses environmental challenges due to its low recycling rates.
These challenges include:
- Non-biodegradability;
- Microplastics;
- Resource-intensive production;
- Chemical pollution;
- End-of-life challenges; and
- Ecosystem disruption.
Addressing these challenges requires improved recycling infrastructure, development of biodegradable alternatives, and greater public awareness of responsible plastic use.
This collaboration aims to develop innovative solutions for the recycling and repurposing of polypropylene waste.
Using the proprietary process to create ‘ultra-pure’ recycled resin from used polypropylene plastics, PureCycle is expanding efforts with a new processing and production facility.
With Krones technology playing an important role in processing and sustainability efforts, PureCycle’s new investment looks to revolutionise polypropylene recycling.
“The polypropylene market produces 90 million tonnes of plastics per year, and because there simply has not been the appropriate technology, less than 10 percent of that material is recycled,” said Dustin Olson, CEO of PureCycle.
“PureCycle has developed ground-breaking technologies that enable us to clean these plastics at the molecular level, removing colour, odour, and contaminants.”
PureCycle’s solvent-based technology converts polypropylene feed stock into a sustainable, ultra-pure recycled resin with like-new characteristics that can be used infinitely within the new end-to-end facility.
PureCycle has invested in Krones MetaPure technology to wash and prepare all polypropylene stock materials for processing.
Krones MetaPure technology is designed to overhaul the recycling process in the beverage industry.
The system focuses on transforming post-consumer PET bottles back into high-quality raw materials, enabling manufacturers to reduce their reliance on virgin plastics.
By utilising a sophisticated mechanical recycling process, combined with cutting-edge decontamination methods, Krones MetaPure ensures that the recycled PET maintains the necessary quality standards for food and beverage applications.
This is crucial as the industry moves towards more sustainable practices, seeking to minimise environmental impact while meeting consumer demands for eco-friendly packaging.
Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability efforts, PureCycle made an additional investment in Krones HydroCircle technology. This technology focuses on optimising water usage and reducing wastewater by implementing a closed-loop system.
The technology enables companies to recycle and reuse water in their production processes, which not only minimises the environmental impact but also leads to cost savings by reducing water consumption and treatment expenses.
Two HydroCircle units will help PureCycle move closer to a closed-loop concept. HydroCircle converts production wastewater into treated water that can be reused in the production process.
All steps that produce wastewater during production are also considered.
“PureCycle is a company that truly believes in true circularity in its processes,” said Jon Larson, head of Plastics Technology, Krones North America.
“When discussing their need for greater sustainability efforts related to their wastewater, Krones’ HydroCircle technology presented an ideal solution.
“As the first HydroCircle systems to be utilised in a U.S. recycling facility, these units will help convert approximately 90 per cent of all production waste into reusable process water that can be filtered back into the system.
Once complete, the facility will be capable of creating 117,000 tonnes of ultra-pure, ‘like-new’ recycled resin each year, with PureCycle already scaling additional feed-and-prep facilities in the U.S. and overseas.
“Krones is a Tier One equipment supplier with a clear commitment to quality and sustainability,” said Olson.
“As the relationship grows over time, it has become clear that they are an ideal partner for these types of projects.”
To learn more about this latest development around polypropylene, contact Krones or visit www.krones.com.