Recycling practice
Designed from the material perspective
Together with partners, the group processes large PET streams and understands input quality, contaminants and target markets from its own operations.
Company
Plastics expertise becomes circular technology.
The history of STF Group begins in 1980 in Aicha vorm Wald. Plastics processing, practical recycling experience and in-house mechanical engineering have developed into a group of companies that considers material streams, systems and downstream processing together.
1980 Founded in Aicha vorm Wald by Josef Söllner
1997 Establishment of in-house mechanical and plant engineering
40+ Years of experience in plastic recycling and processing
Development
STF Group grows from three areas of expertise: material, machine and cycle.
Even the early years combine processing and recycling. Later, in-house plant engineering, PET recycling on an industrial scale and international projects are added. The result is a profile that still defines the company today: technical solutions based on real recycling expertise.
Mechanical engineering
Technology based on direct experience
Sorting, shredding and washing systems are not developed separately from operations, but from the real requirements of industrial plastics cycles.
Extrusion
Downstream processing in view
Films, sheets, flakes and granulates show that STF not only processes material, but also considers the next processing step.
Milestones
From film manufacturer to technology partner for plastics cycles.
The key stages show how the group developed step by step from processor to recycler, plant manufacturer and international project partner.
- 1980
Start in plastics processing
Josef Söllner founds STF Thermo-Folien GmbH in Aicha vorm Wald. The focus is on thermoforming films for dairies and packaging companies, as well as on recycling type-sorted plastic waste.
- 1997
Mechanical engineering becomes a dedicated focus
With STF Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH, the division for heavy and special-purpose machinery, process components and complete plastic processing systems is established.
- 2006
Recycling expertise is expanded
ZWS Recycling is founded and strengthens the processing of PS and PE plastic waste within the group of companies.
- 2008
PET granulation and closed loop
The first PET granulation system goes into operation. At the same time, the first closed-loop systems are created, turning used plastic streams back into defined raw materials for high-quality applications.
- 2009
PET recycling in Bremerhaven
PET Recycling Nord adds another site. STF technology developed in-house significantly increases the capacity for processing PET bottles.
- 2011
Expansion in the bottle-to-bottle cycle
STF Recycling commissions another PET extrusion line with food-contact approval. The company’s own sorting, shredding and washing systems become a visible advantage in industrial recycling.
- 2017
International recycling site
Another site for recycling PET bottles is established in Pilsen. This further expands the group’s international material and process expertise.
- 2020
Technology against plastic entering the oceans
STF Group cooperates with Parley for the Oceans. Compact sorting and recycling systems as well as solutions for hard-to-access locations are developed for international projects.
- Today
Integrated group for plastics circularity
STF combines practical recycling experience, mechanical engineering, sorting technology and plastics extrusion. The objective remains the same: to process material streams with technical precision and return them to high-quality applications.
Turning points
The decisive step was connecting operations with plant engineering.
STF does not build systems only for external customers. The technology is developed from an understanding of how material streams behave in operation: during sorting, washing, granulation and downstream processing.
Recycling as the starting point Material quality, contamination and market requirements are evaluated from practical experience.
Mechanical engineering as the response The company’s own systems and process components are developed where stable quality requires technical precision.
Extrusion as the next step Downstream processing makes visible whether recyclates are suitable for high-quality applications.
STF principle Understand material. Build the process. Close the loop.
This logic has shaped the group since its first recycling activities and explains why mechanical engineering, sorting and plastics processing are considered together today.
Today
The history remains visible in the current service profile.
Today, STF Group describes itself as a globally active recycling company and provider of recycling systems at a high technical level. Together with partners, the group processes PET bottles into type-sorted flakes and granulates and develops system solutions for different plastic streams.
Recycling on an industrial scale
Experience from the company’s own and partner-based recycling processes forms the basis for material evaluation, process design and quality targets.
Plant engineering with recycler DNA
From individual components to turnkey lines, operating experience is incorporated into robust, maintainable and material-appropriate technology.
International responsibility
Projects such as compact recycling lines and sorting technology for island and developing regions show how technology responds specifically to plastic streams.
Get to know STF Group
Would you like to learn more about our technologies, sites or projects?
Talk to STF about plastic recycling, mechanical engineering, extrusion and the right contact person for your topic.