Austrian recycling technology specialist Lindner has supplied a state-of-the-art washing and extrusion system to Recupac, a leading waste management firm in Chile. The new facility is designed to process up to 500 metric tonnes of post-consumer and post-industrial low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film per month, turning heavily contaminated plastic waste into high-quality recyclate.
Flexible plastics like LDPE packaging remain one of the most challenging streams to recycle due to high contamination levels and moisture retention. Lindner’s system addresses this by integrating advanced shredding, washing, and drying technologies before extrusion, ensuring the output material can compete with virgin polymers. As global demand for high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) content rises, driven by brand commitments and legislative mandates, scaling up efficient washing infrastructure is critical.
For UK waste exporters and Turkish recyclers, this development underscores the global standardisation of LDPE processing. Turkish recyclers, who process significant volumes of imported UK commercial film, are facing tighter quality controls under EU-aligned regulations. Investing in similar advanced washing and decontamination technology is becoming essential for Turkish facilities to maintain their export margins to Europe. Meanwhile, UK waste companies must recognise that global processing capacity is rising, meaning higher-purity bales will command premium prices as international competition for clean feedstocks intensifies.
A key practical takeaway for processors is to evaluate their current washing and drying efficiency. Upgrading to integrated, multi-stage washing systems is no longer optional if recyclers want to convert highly contaminated film into high-end industrial or commercial packaging applications.
