Expanded polystyrene: add new value to used EPS by recycling
Because of its durability, light weight and excellent insulation properties expanded polystyrene (EPS) or Neopor is used in many different types of packaging. While having a high recyclability amongst many other advantages, expanded polystyrene also presents the practical and environmental challenge of handling EPS waste in an economically viable way.
To solve this issue, KBM has constructed a full line of machinery for handling and recycling of expanded polystyrene. Furthermore, our products include mixing stations and flexible fillguns for shape moulding.
On this page you can learn more about:
- How to add new value to expanded polystyrene by reusing it
- How to make waste handling of expanded polystyrene easy
Finally, you get more information on why KBM is a leading manufacturer in our field.
Add new value to your expanded polystyrene by reusing it
Expanded polystyrene has a very high reusability rate. In general, up to 95 percent of all EPS waste can be recycled end reused in block-moulding or shape-moulding. This can be done by using either of the KBM recycling units to break the expanded polystyrene into individual high quality EPS beads with a density that corresponds to new pre-expanded beads.
Due to the high quality of the recycled EPS beads, it is possible to mix new and used expanded polystyrene materials before the actual moulding takes place. However, the ratios at which the beads can be mixed depend on an accurate metering. In most cases, the recycled EPS beads can be added at a ratio of up to 20 percent for shape-moulding or up to 50 percent for block-moulding. By using the KBM Styrometer or KBM Styromix systems you are often able to obtain these ratios.
Expanded polystyrene waste handling made easy
In spite of the high recyclability of expanded polystyrene, it is not always possible to reuse it for moulding of new foam materials in order to regain the highest possible value. For instance, materials like fish boxes are often too dirty, wet or even smelly for this process. Therefore, manufacturers in the fish processing industry and equivalent industries are more exposed to the EPS waste handling challenge.
To meet this challenge, KBM offers the non-corrosive and mobile Styropactor that reduces the volume of expanded polystyrene waste by as much as thirty times. Thereby, transportation costs are cut dramatically. Following, the compacted fish boxes can be sold to plastic recyclers allowing you to regain some of the EPS materials’ initial value.
Why the KBM machinery is #1 for recycling of expanded polystyrene
KBM has delivered 350 integrated recycling systems for expanded polystyrene over the past three decades providing us with a great experience in the field. Furthermore, our machinery is compatible and takes you through every step of a profitable EPS recycling process.
Get more information on our different products for EPS handling and recycling.
