Midwest Reclaimer Boosts Operations with $2 Million Polypropylene Processing Line

Plastic Recycling has initiated a strategic endeavor, venturing into the processing of post-consumer curbside polypropylene (PP) plastics, with a forward-looking objective of obtaining FDA approval for food-contact applications.

At its inception, PRI is overseeing the sorting and cleansing of approximately 25 million pounds of PP annually through its advanced processing system, as disclosed by Brandon Shaw, the Marketing Manager for Plastic Recycling Inc. Shaw also underscored the adaptable nature of the system, designed to accommodate seamless scalability to meet the evolving demands of the recycling landscape.

The comprehensive processing line, meticulously crafted for the purpose of managing PP bales sourced from materials recovery facilities (MRFs), incorporates an array of vital components. This sophisticated system encompasses a trommel, cutting-edge metal removal technology, shredding machinery, state-of-the-art optical sorting capabilities, wet grinding processes, rigorous washing and rinsing procedures, float-sink separation techniques, meticulous drying stages, and meticulous color sorting procedures. The synergy of these meticulously orchestrated steps collectively contributes to the effective reclamation and recycling of post-consumer PP plastics.

In alignment with its ongoing endeavors, PRI is actively exploring avenues for the integration of sorting robots within its operations. This forward-looking initiative is strategically geared towards generating a specialized stream of PP scrap sourced exclusively from food and beverage packaging materials.

PRI's commitment to expanding its influence in the recycling industry is further underscored by its recent strategic investments. These substantial financial commitments are illustrative of the company's unwavering dedication to enhancing production capabilities and further solidifying its presence in the recycling sector. Among these notable investments is the establishment of a cutting-edge $3 million laboratory. Additionally, the integration of two state-of-the-art extruders has bolstered annual capacity by a noteworthy 60 million pounds. Consequently, PRI now possesses the capability to produce a grand total of 160 million pounds of recycled plastic, according to Brandon Shaw.

Focusing specifically on post-consumer PP recycling, PRI envisions an annual production capacity of approximately 45 million pounds. Marco Meloni, the Chief Operating Officer at PRI, emphasizes the organization's newfound capacity to effectively respond to the dynamic market demands for recycled content, PCR content (post-consumer recycled), and products engineered to combine virgin and recycled materials. This expanded production capacity significantly augments PRI's capacity to provide a comprehensive range of products, thereby catering to the multifaceted requirements of the market.

The strategic leap undertaken by Plastic Recycling Inc. (PRI) into the realm of processing post-consumer curbside polypropylene plastics is a pivotal move towards enhancing recycling capabilities and making substantial contributions to the sustainability of the plastics industry. PRI's noteworthy investments in cutting-edge technology and the strategic development of a robust production infrastructure underscore its steadfast commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the market. Simultaneously, PRI's pursuit of FDA approval for food-contact applications serves as a testament to its forward-looking approach and its unwavering dedication to expanding its influence within the recycling sector.