Optimising Plastic Film Recycling from the First Processing Stage

Plastic film is one of the most challenging materials to process within the recycling industry. From post-consumer packaging to post-commercial plastic waste, film fractions can be difficult to sort, shred and process efficiently.

The quality of the shredding process can have a significant impact on everything that follows.

That’s where the Lindner Jupiter BW comes in.

Designed specifically for plastic film recycling, the Jupiter BW is a specialised version of Lindner’s proven Jupiter primary shredder range. Its dedicated shredding configuration has been developed to produce a consistent particle size while significantly reducing the amount of unusable fines generated during the initial processing stage.

For plastic recyclers looking to improve material quality, reduce waste and optimise downstream sorting, the Jupiter BW provides a highly engineered solution.

What Is the Lindner Jupiter BW?

The Lindner Jupiter BW is a single-shaft industrial shredder specifically configured for the processing of plastic films.

The BW series has been developed to address some of the key challenges associated with film recycling, particularly the production of excessive fines and inconsistent particle sizes.

Following bale opening, the Jupiter BW precisely shreds plastic film to approximately A4/A3 size. Producing a consistent particle size helps downstream NIR sorting systems operate closer to their optimum operating point, allowing materials to be detected and directed into the appropriate recycling streams.

This means that quality optimisation begins at the very first shredding stage rather than later in the recycling process.

Why Is Plastic Film Recycling So Important?

Plastic films are widely used across packaging, retail, food, industrial and commercial applications.

Common film materials include:

• LDPE
• LLDPE
• PP
• Flexible packaging
• Agricultural films
• Post-commercial film
• Post-consumer film

Many of these materials have relatively short product lifecycles and can quickly become waste.

Efficient recycling therefore depends on being able to collect, sort and process film effectively while retaining as much recyclable material as possible.

The challenge is that film can behave very differently from rigid plastics during shredding. Poorly configured shredding equipment can generate excessive fines, inconsistent particle sizes and material that is unsuitable for further processing.

The Jupiter BW has been specifically developed to address these challenges.

Reducing Fines in Plastic Film Recycling

One of the key advantages of the Lindner Jupiter BW is its ability to reduce the proportion of fines produced during film shredding.

According to Lindner, testing has demonstrated a 44% reduction in fines compared with conventional shredding parameters. This means less unusable material is generated and more of the original input can remain within the recycling stream.

For recyclers, reducing fines can have several potential benefits:

More Material Retained

Less material is lost as an unusable fine fraction, helping maximise the amount of material that remains available for recycling.

Improved Output Quality

A more consistent particle size can help create a more uniform material stream for downstream processes.

Better NIR Sorting

The Jupiter BW’s A4/A3 particle size is designed around the requirements of downstream NIR sorting technology, helping optical sorting systems identify materials more effectively.

Improved Process Efficiency

Optimising the first stage of the recycling process can have a positive effect on the efficiency of subsequent sorting, washing and drying processes.

Consistent Particle Size for NIR Sorting

Modern plastic recycling facilities increasingly rely on near-infrared (NIR) sorting technology to identify and separate different materials.

For NIR systems to perform effectively, the material entering the sorting stage needs to be presented in a suitable and consistent format.

This is one of the reasons particle size is so important.

The Jupiter BW is designed to shred film to an approximately A4/A3 particle size, creating a more consistent material stream for downstream NIR sorting. This allows the sorting system to detect materials more effectively and assign them to the correct material stream.

By improving the material at the shredding stage, recyclers can help optimise the performance of the processes that follow.

Powerful Yet Gentle Film Shredding

Film recycling requires a different approach to many other waste streams.

The Jupiter BW uses a slow-running but powerful shredding process combined with specially developed control parameters. This allows the machine to process film efficiently while helping minimise the generation of unwanted fines.

The result is a shredding process designed around the specific characteristics of plastic film rather than relying on a conventional shredder configuration.

This application-specific approach is an important part of achieving consistent output quality.

From Bale Opening to High-Quality Recyclate

The shredding stage is only one part of a modern plastic recycling process, but it is an important one.

A typical film recycling process can involve several stages, including:

1. Bale Opening

Baled plastic film is opened and prepared for processing.

2. Primary Shredding

The Jupiter BW processes the film into a consistent A4/A3 particle size.

3. Sorting

NIR and other sorting technologies identify and separate materials according to their composition.

4. Washing

Depending on the application, the material can undergo washing to remove contamination.

5. Drying

The processed plastic is dried to prepare it for further recycling.

6. Extrusion & Regranulation

The material can then be processed into recycled plastic flakes or regranulate for use in new products.

Optimising the initial shredding stage can therefore contribute to the efficiency and quality of the wider recycling process.

Why Choose Lindner for Plastic Recycling?

Lindner Recyclingtech has extensive experience developing shredding technology for the recycling industry.

The company offers solutions covering a wide range of materials and applications, including plastics, waste wood, commercial waste, municipal waste and alternative fuels.

The Jupiter platform is designed around reliable primary shredding, high throughput and consistent particle sizes, with the BW configuration specifically tailored towards plastic film recycling.

For recyclers, this means the equipment can be selected around the specific characteristics of the material being processed rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

The Lindner Jupiter Range

The Jupiter is a proven single-shaft primary shredder designed for demanding continuous operation.

The wider Jupiter range incorporates features such as:

• Powerful countershaft drive
• Flywheel energy storage
• Internal pusher
• Robust single-shaft cutting system
• Four-fold usable pointed knives
• Adjustable cutting gap
• Hydraulic screen unit
• Torque-limiting safety clutch
• Accessible maintenance design

The countershaft drive stores and releases rotational energy depending on the load, helping deliver high energy efficiency and consistent throughput when processing demanding materials.

For film recycling, the Jupiter BW configuration adds a specialist shredding setup specifically designed around the requirements of plastic film.

Mach Tech Services: Lindner Shredding Specialists

Choosing the right shredder is only part of investing in recycling equipment.

At Mach Tech Services, we provide specialist support for businesses looking to improve their waste processing and recycling operations.

As the UK’s Lindner Recyclingtech specialists, we can help customers identify the most suitable shredding solution for their material, throughput requirements and processing goals.

Our support includes:

• Shredder selection
• Application advice
• Machine installation
• Commissioning
• Servicing
• Preventative maintenance
• Emergency repairs
• Genuine spare parts
• Wear parts
• Precision engineering
• Welding and hardfacing
• Shredder rebuilds
• Technical support

We also hold over £1 million worth of spare and wear parts in stock, helping customers reduce downtime and keep their equipment operating efficiently.

Optimising Film Recycling Starts With the Right Shredder

The first stage of a recycling process can have a major influence on what happens further down the line.

For plastic film recyclers, generating a consistent particle size while reducing unnecessary fines can help improve material quality and downstream sorting performance.

The Lindner Jupiter BW has been specifically engineered around these requirements.

With its dedicated film recycling configuration, slow-running high-power shredding process and ability to produce an approximately A4/A3 particle size, the Jupiter BW provides a specialist solution for modern plastic film recycling operations.

If you’re looking to improve the efficiency, quality or output of your plastic recycling operation, the right shredding technology can make a significant difference.

Looking for a Plastic Film Recycling Shredder?

Speak to Mach Tech Services to discuss your application and find out whether the Lindner Jupiter BW is the right solution for your recycling operation.

📞 01706 838246
✉️ sales@machtechservices.com

Lindner Jupiter BW FAQs

What is the Lindner Jupiter BW?

The Lindner Jupiter BW is a specialist single-shaft industrial shredder designed specifically for plastic film recycling. Its shredding configuration is designed to produce consistent A4/A3-sized material while reducing the generation of fines.

What types of plastic film can the Jupiter BW process?

The Jupiter BW is designed for film recycling applications involving materials such as LDPE, LLDPE and PP films. The suitability of a specific input material should always be assessed according to its composition and contamination levels.

What particle size does the Jupiter BW produce?

The Jupiter BW is designed to shred film to an approximately A4/A3 particle size. This consistent particle size is intended to support the performance of downstream NIR sorting systems.

How does the Jupiter BW reduce fines?

The Jupiter BW uses a specially developed shredding configuration combined with slow-running, powerful cutting and dedicated control parameters. Lindner reports a 44% reduction in fines compared with conventional shredding parameters based on its testing.

Why is particle size important in plastic film recycling?

Consistent particle size can help downstream sorting systems identify and separate materials more effectively. The Jupiter BW’s A4/A3 output is designed to provide a suitable material format for NIR sorting technology.

Can the Jupiter BW be used in a complete plastic recycling system?

Yes. Lindner offers solutions designed to integrate shredding with downstream sorting, washing and drying processes for plastic recycling applications. The exact configuration depends on the input material and required recyclate quality.

Is the Jupiter BW suitable for other waste streams?

The Jupiter BW is specifically configured for film recycling. Other Jupiter models and Lindner shredding solutions are available for different waste streams and applications.

How can I find out if the Jupiter BW is suitable for my business?

Mach Tech Services can discuss your material, throughput requirements and existing recycling process to help determine whether the Jupiter BW is appropriate for your application.

Can Mach Tech Services provide servicing and spare parts?

Yes. Mach Tech provides servicing, maintenance, repairs, engineering support and genuine spare and wear parts for Lindner shredders. We hold over £1 million worth of spare and wear parts in stock to help customers minimise downtime.