Interzero (Berlin, Germany; www.interzero.com) has developed a patented mechanical recycling process with a chemically controlled rheology modification to produce blow-moulded HDPE products from 100% lightweight packaging material from post-consumer streams.

Previously, the quality of such a product from post-consumer streams was only qualitatively suitable for extrusion processes.

Interzero said the recycling procedure eliminates previously required efforts in the final sorting stage of polyethylene lightweight packaging waste as well as the need for adding primary plastics to the post-consumer commercial or industrial classes. The novel process has been registered with the European Patent Office (EPO; www.epo.org), Interzero added.

It said a special combination of additive compounds alters the flow properties of the high-density polyethylene, leading to an increased viscosity and reduced melt flow rate. This enables the leap from the previously experienced extrusion quality to the blow moulded quality suitable for the manufacture of bottles.

Rupar Plastika (Domžale, Slovenia; www.mica.si), producer of moulded plastic parts, is one of the first to use the new process. Among other things, it produces bottles and closures for German extractor specialist Bora.