Switzerland´s Result Technology AG (CH-8265 Mammern; www.result-technology.com) has come up with an interesting approach to separating composites prior to recycling the individual material components. The patented process is noted for its high material recovery rate, together with high-quality output materials, automated and easy-to-maintain process management, highly flexible input options and a low energy input, and hence, a high cost efficiency overall. Almost all the different types of composite parts and mixtures can be processed, including tube laminates, heating pipes, pressed screens, cables, electric waste, bottle lids and shredder fluff.

After preliminary shredding to a particle size of approximately 30 mm, the parts are placed in an “accelerator” where the composites are broken down and separated in the dry state at high speed and under the action of ultrasound, at a temperature of below 70 °C. The air flow in the accelerator is deliberately kept turbulent so as to ensure that the material becomes detached on a layer-by-layer basis. Different structures, sizes and shapes result as a function of the material in question. Aluminium is turned into spheres, for example, while plastics remain in the form of flat flakes and chips. The materials can then be readily segregated by mechanical means, employing screens and a fluidised bed separator, and are then available for re-use,

• e-Service:
Result Technology brochure on the process as PDF document (750 KB)