Vinyloop is a mechanical recycling technology with a powerful capability of sorting out useful PVC from other materials.
It is nevertheless a relatively young technology. Improvements go into three directions of sustainability: economics, environment, society
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Economics : Reduce costs
Implementing the second generation of the process, in January 2005, yielded a reduction of steam consumption by 30% and of electricity by 40%. The second generation makes possible to dissolve more PVC by batch by optimizing the solvent usage.
One evolution will be the implementation of a continuous separation of the insoluble fraction by a centrifuge decanter. Lab tests gave promising results in terms of product quality. The industrial implementation of this new technology is ongoing in Ferrara plant.
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micro-granules of Vinyloop
R-PVC compound
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Economics: Improve quality
Post consumer recyclates are new to the processing industry, and Vinyloop has to build up confidence. If the confidence rises, prices will rise too, supporting economical sustainability.
This is why we measure the mechanical properties of the regenerated PVC compound and continuoulsy monitor the level of contamination.
This is why a secondary filter, plus ancillary equipments, were installed to reduce the copper contaminants by 50%.
Vinyloop is so powerful that it reduces the level of non-PVC materials from 30 to less than 2%. But our ambition is to go below 0,5%.
Environment
Every improvement is checked on its impact on emissions to the air and to water. It happened that we stopped a treatment of a waste because it generated dust…
Water effluents go to a treatment station, gas effluents are burnt.
Non-PVC materials are first rinsed with fresh solvent in order to remove the remaining chlorine. Afterwards the remaining solvent is removed by stream stripping and the non-PVC materials are disposed of in officially agreed landfill sites when no proper recylcing alternative exists.
Reducing steam and electricity consumption contribute to the reduction of use of non renewable energy.
The plant increased the scope of the recyclable wastes. It was adapted to accept wastes in different forms (flakes or granules), it proved its capability to process different kinds of wastes besides cable waste, like window and roller-shutters, roofing membranes, floor coverings, etc. It will also be adapted to process tarpaulins (Texyloop process).
Society
The recycling industry creates new jobs, and Vinyloop takes care that these jobs provided are safe and healthy. Any line modification or extention is checked on these points.
Workers are trained to prevent and resolve incidents, but this is business as usual at Solvay!...
