Efficient Recycling of Textile PET
At the upcoming Plastics Recycling Show Europe in Amsterdam on May 5–6, BB Engineering will present its portfolio of PET recycling technologies. The German machinery manufacturer will once again focus on textile recycling and melt filtration.
Versatile Portfolio with a Focus on Textiles
BB Engineering’s product portfolio includes components and systems for the production of films and synthetic fibers, as well as for PET recycling. With extruders, various filters, and complete spinning and recycling plants, the company possesses extensive expertise in plastics processing and can offer comprehensive PET recycling solutions from a single source. Based on its experience in the synthetic fiber industry, BB Engineering places a special focus on textile recycling (PET). BB Engineering will highlight its VacuFil® and COBRA® systems at PRSE.
VacuFil® Visco+ – PET LSP recycling at the highest standard
The VacuFil® PET recycling plant combines gentle large-area filtration with precise IV adjustment, thereby ensuring consistently outstanding rPET melt quality.
From bottle-to-bottle to 100% fiber-to-fiber: Thanks to its modular design, VacuFil® can be exactly tailored to individual requirements. A wide variety of PET feedstocks — such as flakes, textile waste, fiber waste, or start-up lumps — are processed reliably, while the IV is specifically adjusted to the desired end product.
At the heart of the system is the patented Visco+ component. Using liquid-state polycondensation, it reliably removes volatile contaminants and delivers an exceptionally homogeneous melt with a viscosity of ±0.01 dl/g — up to 50% faster than comparable LSP systems. Depending on the throughput, a viscosity increase of up to 30% can be achieved.
Continuous process monitoring via an online viscometer ensures a stable and reproducible output. VacuFil® has a capacity of 150 to 4,000 kg/h.
COBRA® sets new standards in melt filtration
With the development of its latest melt filter COBRA® BB Engineering has created a clear solution to the growing demands of the recycling industry. The goal: to reliably handle even high levels of contamination, simplify filter changes and cleaning, and at the same time significantly reduce operating costs.
The result is a high-performance system that combines continuous large-area filtration with automated, chemical-free intermediate cleaning. Two filter cartridges with automatic switching ensure stable, safe, and uninterrupted operation — even at high contamination levels where conventional candle filters or screen changers reach their limits.
A key advantage lies in the integrated cleaning system: it significantly extends the service life of the filter media while simultaneously reducing operational effort, melt losses, and energy consumption — all without the use of chemicals. This not only enhances process reliability but also sustainably lowers operating costs.
Thanks to its high flexibility, COBRA® is suitable for both coarse and fine filtration. In addition to its use in PET recycling, the system also offers great potential for increasing efficiency in other applications, such as plastic spinning, and can be easily retrofitted there.
