Written by: Hillenbrand
Hillenbrand believes that partnerships and customer collaboration are key to unlocking sustainable solutions within the plastics value chain. As part of Plastic Recycling Week, we wanted to focus on one of our Operating Companies, Coperion, and one of its brands, Herbold Meckesheim, which recognize the importance of working closely with their customers to improve the recycling process while addressing the challenges of plastic waste.
At the heart of this collaborative approach are Coperion’s test centers – fully equipped facilities where customers can test a wide variety of plastic recycling processes and technologies under actual production conditions before investing in equipment. These centers offer a unique opportunity for customers to explore and refine their recycling processes with the support of industry experts. In Germany alone, Coperion has nearly 5,000 square meters (54,000 square feet) of testing capacity, underscoring the importance of research and development in partnership with customers and recyclers.
Testing leads to optimized results
The Herbold Meckesheim Test Center, an 800-square-meter (8,600-square-foot) facility in Meckesheim, Germany, houses a complete cold and hot washing line, as well as a range of size reduction solutions from shredders and granulators to pulverizers or plastcompactors for densification. This allows customers to experiment with different processes and technologies, optimizing their recycling operations for efficiency and quality.
Herbold’s Test Center is the ideal complement to the Coperion Recycling Innovation Center, which incorporates all plastics recycling process steps for material handling, feeding, extrusion, and compounding. Launched in 2023 at its production facility in Weingarten, Germany, the Coperion Recycling Innovation Center offers state-of-the-art, individually configurable recycling plants where recyclate can be conveyed, fed, extruded, compounded, pelletized, and deodorized. This center provides a platform for customers to test and refine their recycling processes, ensuring they are equipped with the best technology for their specific needs.
Experimentation fosters collaboration
These test centers not only provide a space for experimentation and innovation but also foster a collaborative environment where customers and industry experts can exchange ideas and insights. This partnership approach was demonstrated at the Recycling Days2 2024 event earlier this month, where Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim welcomed customers to see the Recycling Innovation Center in person and learn about the latest advancements in plastics recycling.
At the event, internal and external experts from the industry shared insights on how the right equipment can save resources and costs without compromising the quality of the recycled compound. Speakers from successful recycling companies and equipment manufacturers such as Ekosistem Ltd., Polymetrix, and Magpet Polymer Pvt. Ltd. provided practical, real-world examples of how technical innovation enhances sustainability within the plastics value chain to support a circular economy. The event also included live demonstrations of Coperion equipment solutions such as the ZSK 58 Mc18 twin screw recycling extruder and the ZS-B MEGAfeed side feeder.
Through partnering with customers and experts in the plastics recycling industry, Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim provide the tools and knowledge to enhance recycling processes but also contribute to a more sustainable plastics industry.
About Coperion
Coperion (www.coperion.com) is a global industry and technology leader in compounding and extrusion systems, size reduction, washing, separating, drying, and agglomeration, feeding, weighing, material handling and pneumatic conveying systems, as well as milling, mixing, thermal processing, dust collection and other services. Coperion develops, produces, and services plants, machinery, and components for the plastics and plastics recycling, chemical, battery, minerals, food and pharmaceutical industries. Coperion employs more than 5,000 people in its three divisions, Polymer, Food, Health & Nutrition, and Aftermarket Sales & Service – at over 50 sales and service locations worldwide. Coperion is an Operating Company of Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI), a global industrial company that provides highly-engineered, mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers serving a wide variety of industries around the world. www.hillenbrand.com.
About Hillenbrand
Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered, mission-critical processing equipment and solutions to customers in over 100 countries around the world. Our portfolio is composed of leading industrial brands that serve large, attractive end markets, including durable plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose — Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ — we pursue excellence, collaboration, and innovation to consistently shape solutions that best serve our associates, customers, communities, and other stakeholders. To learn more, visit: www.hillenbrand.com.
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