Describe the film before choosing a line
PP and PE film can arrive as agricultural film, packaging film, production scrap or collected mixed film. Record the polymer, source, film form and contamination separately. A clean production offcut and a soil-contaminated agricultural film should not be treated as the same project brief.
Plan around flexible material handling
Flexible film needs a feeding and preparation arrangement suited to its shape and condition. Loose sheets, bales and folded pieces present different handling questions. Use representative material during an evaluation so that the proposal addresses feeding consistency as well as size reduction.
Match cleaning to the actual contamination
List dirt, labels, organic residues and unwanted materials found in the stream. The purpose of the washing configuration is to address that incoming condition and deliver material suitable for the next process. Do not assume that the same stages are necessary for every film source.
Connect washing with the next step
The prepared film must be suitable for storage, transport or extrusion, depending on the project. Discuss remaining moisture and the physical form of the output with the downstream equipment supplier. A washing line and a pelletizing line should be evaluated as a connected process when both are required.
- Identify PP and PE sources and any mixing.
- Provide typical and difficult batches for evaluation.
- Define the desired output and its next use.
See the film material guide or film washing solution.
Further reading
Plastics Recyclers Europe: flexible films market and recycling overview discusses film collection, sorting and recycling.