PTI Recycling Systems Formed To Sell/Service Modular, Food-Grade rPET Production System Globally

Holland, OH - PTI Recycling Systems, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plastic Technologies, Inc., has been formed to bring the proven LNOc rPET production process to the global marketplace. For the past two years, LNO™c resin has been produced for commercial use in the United States, by Plastic Technologies' sister company Phoenix Technologies, Bowling Green, Ohio.

A compact, modular system to produce foodgrade, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) resin is now available globally. The system has been designed to cost-effectively address increased international rPET demand for blow molding, injection molding and thermoforming applications, by efficiently turning post-consumer PET containers into reusable food-grade resin.

"Plastic Technologies has a strong reputation as a global engineering firm that executes confidential, technical packaging projects for major brand owners around the world. Because we have had the opportunity to validate the LNO™c process for several applications, we believe that this technology has the potential to become the new global standard for rPET production," said Craig Barrow, president, Plastic Technologies.

The new company will be headed by Steve Hawksworth, director, who will be responsible selling and servicing the "small footprint, low energy" system internationally. (The equipment requires less than 2,500 sq. ft. and can easily be taken apart and transported to a new location, if desired.) "The base unit produces 10 million pounds or 4,500 metric tons of rPET per year. Capacity can easily be doubled with an add-on module. Further, we estimate the ‘total cost of ownership' at approximately 40% less than other rPET technologies which can require capital investments as high as $8-10 million," said Hawksworth.

The modular system is ideal for companies who want to quickly and easily incorporate commercially-proven rPET production into their own facilities—particularly those who were previously blocked by capital investment, space and labor constraints. This includes recycling plants, brand owners, retailers, municipalities, etc."

"Our philosophy is that rPET supply is better suited to multiple, smaller, processing operations vs. one or two large capacity plants. We believe in a local ‘consume, collect, convert' approach. By locating rPET production in closer proximity to resin users, you improve supply times and reduce the carbon footprint," he explained.

The LNOc process relies on Phoenix's patented "extremely small particle size" technology. The tiny particle size enables much more efficient decontamination compared to other processes, resulting in faster output and significant energy savings. (The "c" in the brand name refers to the "compacted" resin that is the end result.)

LNOc technology produces rPET with superior color and yield as compared to other methods. Further, it has lower acetaldehyde levels which positively impact taste properties. Another benefit is its higher intrinsic viscosity (IV) or molecular weight which more closely matches the IV found in virgin resins. This enables higher package performance.

The resulting rPET is ideally suited for a variety of food and beverage applications including water, carbonated soft drinks, juices, fruit, baked goods, meats and cheeses. Package types include bottles, thermoformed containers and films, as well as drinking cups, vegetable oil and deli containers.

"Color, yield and taste attributes have traditionally been stumbling blocks in producing viable rPET—particularly with very sensitive liquids, such as water. Our LNOc process overcomes those obstacles," Hawksworth said. PTI Recycling Systems has teamed with Conair, Cranberry Township, PA, to build the modular LNOc processing equipment. This includes a grinder that converts rPET flake into extra small particle-size powder, a compactor to compress the powder in pellets and a standard resin dryer.

SOURCE: Plastic Technologies, Inc.