Plastic chip management:
from chips to briquettes
Compaction of plastic chips into briquettes: less volume, lower costs, greater value
Packaging, production scraps, molding waste, expanded material: plastic waste is among the most voluminous and costly to manage in manufacturing companies. It occupies large spaces, costs to collect and is subject to increasingly stringent regulations.
COMAFER Dinamic Series and Special Series briquetting machines compact the most common industrial polymers into dense cylindrical briquettes, reducing volume by up to 90% and cutting disposal costs. The result is material ready for mechanical recycling or energy recovery.
Plastic briquetting requires specific evaluation for each polymer: temperature, density and flow characteristics vary significantly. Send us a sample for a free test in our R&D laboratory.
Plastic processing industries
Injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming scraps: the briquetting machine handles line by-products and frees up production space.
Packaging manufacturers and users
Film, bottles, containers, blisters: compaction drastically reduces disposal volumes and collection costs.
EPS (expanded polystyrene) packaging industry
Expanded polystyrene is the material with the lowest bulk density among plastic waste: it occupies enormous volumes in loose form. Briquetting reduces it by up to 90% of the volume.
Textile industry (synthetic fibers)
Nylon, polyester, polypropylene fibers: synthetic textile production waste manageable with the Special Series.
Recycling centers and separate collection
Homogeneous plastic briquettes have a higher value than loose material at recyclers: greater density = lower transport costs per unit of material.
Which plastics can be briquetted?
COMAFER has successfully tested all major categories of plastic materials.
Polyolefins
Polyethylene (PE-HD, PE-LD), polypropylene (PP), plastic pods
Common thermoplastics
PET, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), solid polystyrene (PS)
Expanded materials
EPS (expanded polystyrene), expanded polyurethane (PUR)
Synthetic fibers
Nylon, polyester, polypropylene fibers, plasticized fiberglass
Thermoplastic materials with low melting temperature (such as low-density polyethylenes) require careful heat management during compaction. For thermosetting or mixed materials, a preliminary test is necessary. Contact us before purchasing.
Concrete advantages for plastic waste management
Briquetting offers concrete and measurable advantages:
-90% Volume
Light and voluminous plastic residues reduce volume by up to 90% after briquetting: fewer containers, fewer trips, lower logistics costs.
-70% Recycling costs
Briquettes cost less to dispose of and can be sold.
Sustainability
Energy recovery from plastic residues reduces emissions compared to disposal and contributes to the circular plastic economy.
Handling and transport costs
COMAFER machines for wood briquetting: Dinamic Series
The Dinamic Series includes three progressive models to meet all production needs.
All models are UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 certified and compliant with Industry 4.0 requirements. Production Brescia, Italy.
Dinamic 70s
Application
Small businesses
Indicative hourly production
30-75 kg/h
Briquette dimensions
55mm
Dinamic 110s
Application
SMEs
Indicative hourly production
50-110 kg/h
Briquette dimensions
60mm
Dinamic PRO M5
Application
Large Enterprises
Indicative hourly production
70-270 kg/h
Briquette dimensions
60mm
Complete systems: from collection to briquette management
For high production volumes, the briquetting machine can be connected directly to the processing or storage system, achieving a fully automated production cycle.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about briquetting
Can expanded polystyrene (EPS) be briquetted?
Yes. EPS is one of the materials with the greatest benefit from briquetting: it has a bulk density of only 10-20 kg/m³ in loose form. The Special Series with vertical pneumatic cylinder effectively conveys the material into the compaction chamber. Volume reduction reaches 90%: a volume of EPS that fills a warehouse is reduced to a few pallets of briquettes.
Do the high pressures of briquetting melt the plastic?
Briquetting is a cold mechanical compaction process, not a thermal process. The plastic is compressed, not melted. The heat generated by friction is limited and not sufficient to bring common polymers to melting temperature. For materials with low melting point or under intensive working conditions, a barrel cooling system is available.
Can plastic briquettes be mechanically recycled?
How is plastic with additives or fillers managed?
Plastics with mineral fillers (fiberglass, talc), colorants or additives briquette normally. Abrasive fillers (fiberglass) accelerate wear of contact components: versions with reinforced wear-resistant components are available. Report this during the quotation phase for the correct configuration.
Reduce plastic chip disposal costs
Briquetting is the most effective solution to reduce the volume and management cost of industrial plastic. Contact us for a free analysis of your waste stream.