Chase Plastics and the Lindner Micromat 1500, 98,000 Hours of Proven Performance

When a recycling machine has been operating successfully for more than two decades, replacing it is a big decision.

For Chase Plastics, one of the UK’s longest-established recycled plastics manufacturers, there was only one obvious choice when the time came to replace its trusted shredding equipment.

Another Lindner Micromat 1500.

The original machine had accumulated an incredible 98,000 operating hours and processed thousands of tonnes of plastic during its working life. When Chase Plastics decided it was time for an upgrade, the company chose the latest generation of the same machine technology.

The result was a new Lindner Micromat 1500, supplied, installed and commissioned by Mach Tech Services.

From one Micromat to another

Chase Plastics originally invested in a Lindner Micromat 1500 Series 1 towards the end of the 20th century.

The machine went on to deliver decades of reliable service.

According to Chase Plastics, its original Micromat had “performed flawlessly” throughout its operational life, accumulating approximately 98,000 hours of operation while processing thousands upon thousands of tonnes of plastic.

By 2020, the company had reached the point where replacing the machine made sense.

But there was no need to reinvent the process.

The Micromat had already proven itself.

The solution was to replace the original machine with a third-generation Lindner Micromat 1500.

Why did Chase Plastics choose another Micromat?

When a piece of equipment has operated for tens of thousands of hours, reliability becomes a major part of the investment decision.

Chase Plastics knew exactly what the Micromat could deliver.

The new machine needed to meet demanding production requirements, including operating for approximately 4,000 hours per year and processing clean transit film packaging to below 80mm at around 1,500kg per hour.

The company’s experience with its original Micromat gave it confidence that the technology could meet these requirements.

The decision wasn’t simply based on the machine itself.

Chase Plastics also valued the accessibility of the cutting system for servicing and maintenance, as well as the overall quality of Lindner’s manufacturing.

What is the Lindner Micromat 1500?

The Lindner Micromat 1500 is a single-shaft industrial shredder designed for demanding recycling applications.

The Micromat platform is particularly well suited to plastics recycling, where reliable size reduction and consistent output are essential to downstream processes.

The machine can be configured for different materials and applications, with the rotor, cutting system and screen selected according to the required performance and output.

This makes the Micromat suitable for a wide range of applications across the recycling industry.

Designed for plastic recycling

Plastic recycling presents a number of challenges for shredding equipment.

Different plastics behave differently during processing.

Film, rigid plastics, packaging materials and other plastic waste streams can have very different characteristics, meaning that the shredder needs to be appropriately configured for the material.

For Chase Plastics, the focus was on processing clean transit film packaging to a controlled size at a high production rate.

The Micromat 1500 was specified around those requirements.

This application-focused approach is important because the best industrial shredder isn’t necessarily the machine with the biggest motor or highest theoretical throughput.

It is the machine that is correctly configured for the material and the process.

The importance of a single-shaft shredder

The Micromat’s single-shaft design provides controlled size reduction while allowing the machine to be configured for different applications.

The combination of the rotor, cutting tools and screen determines how material is processed and ultimately influences factors such as:

• Throughput
• Particle size
• Energy consumption
• Wear
• Maintenance intervals
• Overall operating costs

For plastics recycling businesses, achieving a consistent output is particularly important because shredded material may subsequently move into washing, sorting, extrusion or pelletising processes.

Built for long-term performance

One of the most compelling aspects of the Chase Plastics story is the longevity of its original Micromat.

98,000 operating hours is a significant achievement for any industrial processing machine.

It demonstrates the importance of robust engineering, appropriate maintenance and a machine specification that matches the application.

For recycling businesses making a significant capital investment, machine longevity can have a major effect on the overall cost of ownership.

A machine that continues to operate reliably over many years can provide considerably more value than equipment that requires frequent replacement.

Ease of maintenance matters

Chase Plastics also highlighted the accessibility of the Lindner shredder’s cutting area as an important consideration for service and maintenance.

This is an often-overlooked part of selecting industrial recycling machinery.

Maintenance isn’t simply about replacing worn components.

Operators need to be able to access critical parts of the machine safely and efficiently.

The easier essential maintenance tasks are to carry out, the easier it can be to minimise downtime and keep production moving.

For a machine operating thousands of hours each year, this can make a substantial difference.

“No gadgets or gizmos”

Chase Plastics summed up its view of the Lindner approach particularly well:

“No gadgets or gizmos, every component of the shredder gets used.”

For an industrial machine operating in a demanding recycling environment, simplicity can be an advantage.

Every component needs to contribute to the overall process.

The objective isn’t to add unnecessary complexity.

It is to create a machine that delivers reliable performance, is straightforward to maintain and can keep material moving through the recycling process.

A new generation of Micromat technology

While the original Chase Plastics machine was a Series 1 model, the replacement represented a significant development in Micromat technology.

The newer machine incorporated updated technology while retaining the fundamental principles that had made the original Micromat successful.

Lindner’s Micromat platform has continued to evolve, with later generations introducing improvements to efficiency, flexibility and maintenance.

The current Micromat Series IV, for example, features a new drive concept, adaptable rotor configurations and further developments aimed at improving energy efficiency and operational flexibility.

This means the Micromat name has continued to evolve while maintaining its position as a versatile industrial shredder for recycling applications.

Mach Tech Services: from specification to installation

Selecting the right machine is only part of a successful shredding project.

The equipment also needs to be correctly specified, delivered, installed and commissioned.

For Chase Plastics, Mach Tech Services was involved throughout the process.

The company specifically praised Mach Tech for its support during the machine specification process and for managing the delivery, installation and commissioning of the new Micromat during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chase Plastics’ team also highlighted the professionalism of Mach Tech’s engineers during the installation.

This is an important part of Mach Tech’s approach: providing more than just machinery.

Why choose Mach Tech for a Lindner shredder?

An industrial shredder represents a significant investment.

Getting the specification right from the beginning can influence the machine’s performance for years to come.

Mach Tech Services can support customers through the complete process, including:

• Application assessment
• Machine selection
• Material testing
• Machine specification
• Installation
• Commissioning
• Operator support
• Maintenance
• Repairs
• Genuine spare and wear parts
• Precision engineering

This means customers have access to technical support beyond the initial machine purchase.

The value of proven technology

The Chase Plastics story is ultimately about confidence.

The company had operated a Lindner Micromat 1500 for decades.

It had processed thousands of tonnes of plastic.

It had accumulated approximately 98,000 operating hours.

And when the time came to replace it, Chase Plastics didn’t need to look elsewhere.

It chose another Micromat.

That is perhaps one of the strongest endorsements an industrial machine can receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Lindner Micromat 1500?

The Lindner Micromat 1500 is a single-shaft industrial shredder designed for recycling applications including plastics processing. It can be configured around the material, throughput and required output size.

What materials can the Micromat 1500 shred?

The Micromat can be configured to process a wide range of materials, including plastics, films, paper, cardboard, wood and other challenging recycling materials.

The appropriate configuration depends on the specific material and application.

Is the Lindner Micromat 1500 suitable for plastic recycling?

Yes. The Micromat is particularly well suited to plastics recycling applications where controlled size reduction and reliable throughput are required.

Can the Micromat 1500 shred plastic film?

Yes. The Chase Plastics application demonstrates the Micromat 1500 being used to process clean transit film packaging to a controlled output size.

How much can a Micromat 1500 shred per hour?

Actual throughput depends on the material, feed characteristics, screen configuration and desired output size. In the Chase Plastics application, the machine was specified around approximately 1,500kg per hour for clean transit film packaging.

What is a single-shaft shredder?

A single-shaft shredder uses a rotating rotor equipped with cutting tools to reduce material against a counter-knife or similar cutting system. A screen controls the size of material leaving the cutting chamber.

Why is shredder configuration important for plastics?

Different plastics have different physical characteristics. Selecting the correct rotor, cutting tools and screen can help achieve the required balance between throughput, particle size, energy consumption and wear.

How long can a Lindner Micromat last?

Machine life depends on factors such as application, operating hours, maintenance and material characteristics. However, Chase Plastics’ original Micromat accumulated approximately 98,000 operating hours before being replaced, demonstrating the potential longevity of the technology when correctly operated and maintained.

Is the Micromat easy to maintain?

Accessibility to the cutting area was specifically highlighted by Chase Plastics as a factor in its decision to continue with Lindner technology.

Who supplies Lindner shredders in the UK?

Mach Tech Services is the sole UK and Ireland distributor for Lindner Recyclingtech shredders, providing machine sales, installation, servicing, repairs, spare parts and engineering support.

Looking for a Lindner Micromat 1500?

If you’re processing plastic film, packaging or other recyclable plastics and need a reliable, high-performance plastic recycling shredder, the Lindner Micromat 1500 could provide the solution.

Mach Tech Services can assess your material, throughput requirements and desired output before recommending the most suitable Lindner configuration.