Plastics recycler Steinbeis PolyVert (Völkermarkt, Austria; www.steinbeis-polyvert.com) has put into operation a new extruder for PET recyclate at its Austrian headquarters.

The Vacunite 2621 T 2000 Bottle to Bottle from compatriot plant engineering specialist Erema (Ansfelden; www.erema.at) is part of the company’s One Steinbeis investment package, which it said will see around EUR 35 mn invested in the expansion of the site in the next two years.

While replacing two older lines of that type, the new extruder ultimately raises the recycling capacity at the site. Figures on the absolute quantity were not given.

“The demand for … recyclate is increasing worldwide,” CEO André Aßmann said. He noted that the investment package is targeted at site integration, quality improvement and upcycling, reducing the number of rejects, CO₂ reduction, and supply with renewable energies.

Steinbeis PolyVert was formerly called Kruschitz and acquired in 2019 by Steinbeis Holding (Munich; https://www.st-holding.de). In 2020, Steinbeis also bought German PET recycler B+T Plastics (Alsfeld). With a workforce of 130, Steinbeis PolyVert posted sales last year of EUR 53 mn.

Apart from rPET, the recycling firm also produces rHDPE and rPP at its two sites in Austria and near Fulda, Germany. The recyclates are used to manufacture shampoo and detergent bottles, among other things.