— By Plasteurope.com staff — 

Recycling specialist and compounder MKV (Beselich-Obertiefenbach, Germany; www.mkv-kunststoff.com) has announced it is investing around EUR 500,000 to expand its sorting capabilities. The new line – comprising a metal separation unit from Sesotec and a shredder from Zeno – is also capable of removing fine particles, the firm said. According to MKV managing director Kai Zies, this will allow hybrid components made from plastic-metal composites to be cleanly separated by material type.

The plant is scheduled to go into operation in the first quarter of 2026, the company said. Initially, it is to process post-industrial recycling waste such as production scrap or defective parts. However, Zies noted that sorting post-consumer recycling waste would also be possible. Depending on the input stream, this would require additional processing steps – particularly in terms of washing and sorting.

Related: Interview with MKV’s Kai Zies on the state of plastics recycling in Germany

MKV estimates the plant’s processing capacity at around 1,700 t/y.

The aim of the largely automated system is the clean separation and recovery of plastics by type, the firm said. The separated metals are to be collected as a mixed fraction and can then be further sorted externally. If needed, the line can also be expanded to include NIR and colour-sorting technology, Zies added.

Founded in 1960, MKV specialises in the mechanical recycling of plastics waste and the compounding of virgin polymers. Its main sales markets are the automotive, furniture, and electrical and electronics industries.