What does the recycling of plastics through extrusion processes have to do with industrial parts cleaning?
Quite a lot – when you consider that plastics have become indispensable in modern production environments and that, at the same time, many countries are pursuing the goal of establishing a functioning circular economy, increasing the use of recycled materials, and reducing the consumption of primary raw materials. For the European Union, the PPWR Regulation on packaging and packaging waste of February 11, 2025, sets out the goal of making all packaging on the EU market economically viable for recycling by 2030 and significantly increasing the use of recycled plastics in packaging.
Thanks to companies such as 3S (EREMA Group), which manufacture core components for plastics processing machines, recycled materials achieve the quality required to be reliably recycled. And we support this process.
The role of clean filter screens in plastic extrusion – and how Ecoclean enables process quality in downstream applications.
In plastics recycling and extrusion technology, the quality of filtration determines the purity of the end product. Filter screens with laser-drilled micro-holes remove even the smallest impurities from the plastic melt and ensure a consistently high melt throughput. However, it is precisely these fine structures that place the highest demands on filter manufacturing – and thus on industrial component cleaning.
The challenge: reliably degreasing micro-holes
The holes are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Due to surface tension, liquids can hardly penetrate them, and at the same time there is a high risk of corrosion with chrome steel. Classic aqueous cleaning methods quickly reach their limits here.
3S Schnecken + Spindeln + Spiralen Bearbeitungsges.m.b.H., part of the EREMA Group, also faced this challenge. In order to increase added value and process reliability, the company integrated the previously outsourced cleaning and heat treatment into its own plant in Roitham, Austria.
Solvent cleaning as a process-reliable solution
With the aim of integrating the cleaning of filter screens into an existing manufacturing process and increasing process reliability, 3S decided on the EcoCcore after consulting with Ecoclean's sales partner MAP PAMMINGER. This compact solvent cleaning system was specially developed for complex components and the highest cleanliness requirements.
"To increase our added value and process reliability, we now carry out these process steps in-house," explains Michael Danner, Production Manager at 3S.
In conversation with Gerald Leeb from MAP PAMMINGER, Production Manager Michael Danner particularly emphasizes the excellent cleaning results and the long service life of the system.
The cleaning process: Maximum cleanliness in 11 minutes
The filter screens are cleaned fully automatically in a multi-stage process that is specifically tailored to the requirements of this application:
- Coarse and fine washing with solvents (modified alcohols or hydrocarbons)
- Ultrasonic cleaning for penetrating the micro-holes
- Steam degreasing for residue-free surfaces
- Vacuum drying for absolute dryness without risk of corrosion
Despite this variety of processes, the cleaning time per batch is only eleven minutes – a decisive factor for economic efficiency.
Efficiency and sustainability in the value chain.
As a manufacturer of cleaning systems, we take on different roles along the process chain depending on the application. Even though we support an upstream process step in this case, we always keep the goals of our customers and their customers in mind – especially with regard to sustainability and resource efficiency. 3S wanted to increase the process stability of its own value-added share in order to supply core components for plastic processing machines that are considered key components for successful extrusion. 3S is part of the EREMA Group, which specializes in plastic recycling machines and systems. And we at Ecoclean, in collaboration with Gerald Leeb from MAP PAMMINGER, delivered the right solution. The EcoCcore impresses with its small footprint and a closed system without steam clouds. A key aspect is resource efficiency:
- Integrated distillation: Continuous processing of the solvent means that the medium only needs to be changed every three to four years.
- Heat recovery: Contributes to reducing energy consumption.
- Automatic oil discharge: Ensures low disposal costs and high environmental compatibility.
The parts are cleaned prior to heat treatment to remove contamination and emulsions in the compact EcoCcore solvent cleaning system.
The result: high availability and extended service life
Since commissioning in mid-2024, the EcoCcore has been running smoothly at 3S in multi-shift operation. With a capacity of up to 20,000 filter screens per year, the system ensures high reliability and extended service life for components.
The EcoCcore demonstrates how technical cleanliness, energy efficiency, and compact design can be combined. It enables companies to safely bring demanding cleaning steps in-house—a clear competitive advantage in an increasingly circular industry.
More information, contact details, and user report:
You can find the user report for this project on our website.
The contact details of our sales partner in Austria, Gerald Leeb (MAP PAMMINGER), can be found here: www.teilereinigung-pamminger.at
To learn more about our EcoCcore solvent cleaning system, visit our website: https://ecoclean-group.net/products/ecoccore/
Are you facing challenges and need a reliable solution for component cleaning? Our experts will be happy to help: Sales.Filderstadt(at)ecoclean-group.net
