PP Recycling
PP Recycling
(Polypropylene)
Polypropylene, also known as polypropene, shares a lot of characteristics with hard polyethylene. As a virgin material it is generally more expensive than PE.
PP is one of the lightest plastics around, with a density of 0,91 grams per kubic centimeter. The material is very resistant to temperature (resistant up to 110 degrees celcius), is almost unbreakable and has some of the good characeristics of both PS and PE. It is very resistant again fatigue from bending because of which it is very suitable for simple hinges. PP becomes breakable at temperatures below 0 degrees celcius.
PP is used commonly in technical applyances for which it is suitable due to it’s shape stiffness. Though polypropylene shares charasteristics with PE, it is not resistant to gasoline. Due to it’s resistance to hot steam sterilization, PP is also commonly used in medical equipment. PP can be modified by adding 30% glass fibre.
Recycling PP is similar to recycling any plastic, the materials are collated, sorted and sold to a re-manufacturer. The re-manufacturers then chip or shred the plastic, wash it, melt it and re-mound it into new items (generally after mixing the melted plastic with plastic from new oil or gas). New items that are made from PP include some witches hats (traffic cones), compost bins, worm farms, garden furniture, garden edging and other plastic products.
Heathland searches to recycle plastics, including PP, in ways that are best suitable for people and environment. Recycling happens in-house and at partner companies in Europe and/or Asia. Since the market for plastic recycling is very international, often it is difficult to keep track of how and where scrap plastics are recycled. Heathland works with partners who are qualified, have sufficient certification, and have set quality standards for the circumstances in which plastic materials are processed. This way, the company can keep as much control as possible on the circumstances in which it’s plastics are recycled. If you are interested in this way of recycling, whether your company is a collector, manufacturer, servicer or end-user, please contact us for possibilities.