Regranulate

Regranulate is a term used in material processing, particularly in the plastics and rubber industries, to describe the process of converting waste materials into new granules or pellets. This involves collecting post-consumer or post-industrial waste, cleaning it, and then mechanically breaking it down. The material is then typically melted and extruded through a die, where it is cut into small, uniform pellets. These regranulated pellets can then be used as a raw material in the manufacturing of new products, often mixed with virgin material or used on their own.

The primary benefit of regranulation is environmental sustainability. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and decreases the need for producing new virgin materials, which often have a higher energy and resource footprint. This process contributes to a circular economy by giving waste materials a new life.

The quality of regranulated material can vary depending on the source waste and the processing methods employed. Factors such as contamination levels, polymer degradation during reprocessing, and the consistency of the original material all play a role. Advances in sorting and processing technologies are continuously improving the quality and applicability of regranulated materials, making them increasingly viable alternatives to virgin plastics and rubber. Applications for regranulated materials are diverse, ranging from consumer goods and packaging to automotive parts and construction materials.