The STF Group (Aicha vorm Wald / Germany; www.stf-group.de) has invested around EUR 1.5m in another solid-state polycondensation plant (SSP) at its headquarters in Aicha. The new “VisoStar” line contributes to improving the quality standards for PET recyclate, the company noted. “The SSP will allow us to increase intrinsic viscosity even further,” said managing director Maximilian Söllner. “This means that our customers can now produce very light bottles from our material, reducing feedstock volumes.”

The line’s pelletising capacity was also increased. Together with the three other plants already in operation at Aicha, the site can now produce 35,000 t/y of food-grade resin. Further expansion is planned. “By 2021, we aim to increase our output to 50,000 t/y,” Söllner said.