Gruber Extrusion (Pettenbach / Austria; www.gruberextrusion.com) has developed its “Coflex” and “Coex-ring” profile coextrusion technology to reduce production costs while simultaneously benefitting the environment through the use of recycled materials. Gruber says that the use of recycled materials in its “Coflex” system brings about significant savings and improved profitability through the use of production line waste or purchased PVC scrap in ground form, which is fed back into the process and re-used. A reliable product is the result, permitting easy and stable coextrusion with simple handling, Gruber says, and the coextruder does not need to be disassembled in the process, bringing a significant extension to the service life of the machine.

Up to 15% recycled material can now be incorporated in production using the “Coex-ring”. Granulated or ground production waste is extruded into the centre of a profile and fed back into the production cycle. The recycling material is used only inside the profile, ensuring that there is no effect on the external characteristics of the profile including colour, geometry and mechanical properties. The system offers high process security, as the recycled material remains virtually unmixed with the new material.