Equipment Spotlight | FEB 2022 Shredders

by MARY M. THORNTON

According to Marketwatch, the Global Waste Paper Recycling market is due to reach a value of $54,250 million by the end of 2026. A number of sources report that only nine percent of plastic generated is recycled. There is a wide array of equipment available to meet the processing required by the looming growth potential in these markets.

Since the mid-90s, Granutech-Saturn Roto-Grind® single-shaft shredders have provided processing solutions to many within the paper and plastic recycling industries. The firm’s industrial product line also includes industrial quad, dual, single shaft shredders, heavy duty single-shaft grinders, nonferrous metal high density balers, rubber powderizers and refiner mills.

Roto-Grind shredders are available in four sizes and all but the M80E are available in either hydraulic or electric options. “As global supply chain issues continue and other countries accept reduced material from the U.S. more recyclables are being shredded and separated for domestic repurposing. We’ve noticed this especially, within the plastic industry. Each of our Roto-Grind shredders have a horizontal 20 hp ram, which does an exceptional job maintaining the most efficient throughput, as it is metered via the load amperage/pressure in relation to the shredder’s motor. The horizontal feed also helps to eliminate excessive bridging of material so you will achieve better throughput. Along with our horizontal ram, we also offer multiple blade sizes and configurations which again, help our customers to better dial in on the perfect machine for their application,” explained Jon Maly, national sales manager, cutter division.

Product cutting configurations range from 2 to 4 rows of cutting blades and blade sizes range from 30 to 60mm among the Roto-Grind models. Standard 4 models are M80E 60 hp, M110E 100 hp, M160H 150 hp and M240H 300 hp. In addition to horizontal ram and blade configurations, horsepower and screen options are also offered, to better provide exact customer needs. Depending on the material, screening size and the model involved, processing volume can range from 2 tons to over 10 tons per hour, but duty cycle and throughput can also affect such outcomes. “Our Saturn Roto-Grind Shredders are exceptionally user friendly, but as with any shredder used in the paper and plastic industries, contaminants may have adverse effects on individual shaft blades. For this reason, the unit features a special ‘bolt-on blade’ design, to help minimize down time. If a contaminant accidently runs through the shredder, causing damage to the blade, the blade can then be easily removed and replaced,” Maly stated.

Since 1978, Shred-Tech has been solving shredding, recycling, waste reduction and material handling problems for a large and diverse list of customers. Producing approximately 500 units a year, the company offers two-shaft shredders, four-shaft shredders (screened shred: low volume, slow speed), single shaft shredders (screened shred: high volume, high speed), granulators (granular shred size: low volume, high speed) and shredding trucks – their biggest seller. Shredding needs change, depending on the application and Shred-Tech employees work to accommodate client requirements, by offering a range of options on every machine.

Each system is configured with the correct knife size, horsepower, number of hooks and feed and discharge rate for the application. Dual shaft shredders are high volume, slow speed shredders that can range from 15 to 1,200 hp and shred anything from light duty e-scrap to heavy duty appliances. Shred-Tech’s low volume, slow speed, quad shaft shredders are designed to process bulk materials, reducing them to a uniform particle size in a single pass, range from 50 to 150 hp and are available in a wide variety of cutting chamber sizes. Regulations are becoming more stringent in terms of shred size. The trend is even more acute among European regulations. Depending on the shredder and application, it is possible to process up to 20 tons of waste per hour, using Shred-Tech’s plant-based shredding systems.

“Shred-Tech is a leading provider of environmental shredding technologies, based on sound engineering practices, innovation, quality, and most important, satisfied customers. As more companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt environmentally conscious corporate responsibility policies, the demand for shredding machines has become more prevalent. Shred-Tech is constantly investigating new designs and materials that can improve the performance of its machines and has the largest global footprint of all specialty shredding equipment manufacturers. By creating profitable uses for waste products, Shred-Tech products facilitate new business opportunities and technologies to improve our quality of life,” said Stefin Sobel, processing business manager.

WEIMA is a leader in size reduction technologies, including shredding equipment for the paper and plastics industries. Those in the printing industry are investing more in the value of paper scrap. Shredding and baling are the best ways to prepare print waste for pulling the highest yield from mills or recyclers. WEIMA’s WLK series shredders are specifically designed for these applications. Machine openings range from 23 to 70” wide, determined by material stream and volume. WEIMA shredders have large hoppers, which enable a “dump and run” process, reducing the need for material handling. Unique features, such as the lift-up screen door and anti-vibration feet, ensure safety, ease of maintenance and durability. “Our machines are designed to withstand the strength of stacked paper while also fitting with features to prevent paper jams and reducing dust emissions. Whether you have large or small quantities of paper, cardboard, sheets, rolls, documents, or labels, we offer a model that matches your requirements,” commented Audrey Brewer, North American marketing manager.

WEIMA’s robust line of shredders can handle plastic materials including pipe, purge, spruce/runners, film, fibers, bottles, crates/bins, nonwovens and more. The firm’s single-shaft shredders are ideal for shredding scrap prior to granulating or repelletizing. Large hoppers allow for bulk feeding without the need to pre-cut materials. When consistent piece sizes are fed into a granulator, it regulates material flow while eliminating spikes in power. This helps to lower energy costs. WEIMA shredders can be customized to meet the demands of specific applications. With the range of equipment and a variety of rotor types, rotor geometries and cutting tools, machines can handle PE, PP, PVC, PS, PU and PET and other types of plastic too. The V-Rotor is designed for the shredding of hard plastics, while the F-Rotor is for woven and non-woven film and fiber materials. Other optional features include a lift-up door for easy maintenance, multiple knife configurations, custom hoppers, a variety of rotor widths, and more.

“In the paper industry, the abrasiveness of the material wears down knives and machinery that aren’t built to withstand such waste. The same is true of plastics, as each type has a different melting point or requirement for effective shredding or reprocessing. Years of know-how allow Weima engineers to help clients choose the best machine to effectively shred the material involved. With paper and plastic manufacturing scrap on the rise, the need for effective size reduction, reintegration, and/or disposal is paramount. Exporting baled scrap isn’t an option in most cases, so processing this scrap where it’s produced is key to preventing material pile up, which usurps valuable floor space,” Brewer concluded.

Published in the February 2022 Edition of American Recycler News