A star for even higher quality
STF Group in Aicha vorm Wald invests 1.5 million euros in a new solid-state polycondensation system
It is a true colossus that was moved with precision work, a crane and a truck, millimetre by millimetre, into the hall of the recycling company in Aicha vorm Wald. Installation of the new solid-state polycondensation system (SSP for short), which measures an impressive 14 metres, took a full ten days. The “viscoSTAR” system is now in place and immediately provides even higher product quality for the PET regranulates. Three of these systems are already in operation at the recycling plant in Aicha vorm Wald. They are now joined by a new, even larger system. The reason is clear. STF Group is one of Europe’s leading recycling companies and offers its international customers only quality at the highest level. For this reason, the company works exclusively with the global market leader in this area. “We are completely satisfied with the quality and technology that the viscoSTAR systems provide,” says Production Manager Stephan Gschwendtner. “Our well-known customers worldwide from the food sector also value the high quality of our granulates.” With the new system, the already very high quality standards will be improved once again. “We want to get the maximum out of our plastic,” emphasises Maximilian Söllner, Managing Director of STF Recycling GmbH. “With the SSP, we can further increase the intrinsic viscosity. For the customer, this means that very lightweight bottles can be produced from our material, requiring only a small amount of raw material,” the 22-year-old continues. “In addition, volatile substances generated during plastics recycling are effectively decontaminated. The result is highly pure granulates that even exceed the highest standards of the food industry.” STF Group has invested a total of 1.5 million euros in this project. It is an important step that focuses not only on product improvement. The installation of the new “viscoSTAR” also increases granulation capacities. From now on, 35,000 tonnes of food-grade granulates per year can be produced at the Aicha vorm Wald plant. “By 2021, we aim to increase our output to 50,000 tonnes per year,” Managing Director Maximilian Söllner explains. The company is certainly well positioned to take this step successfully, as PET recycling is more in demand than ever and plastics recycling will continue to gain importance in the coming years. More and more plastic will enter a circular economy and become a sought-after raw material.