Recycling polystyrene

El reciclaje del porexpan, también conocido como corcho blanco, poliespán o poliestireno expandido (EPS), es un proceso clave para la gestión de uno de los materiales plásticos más utilizados en embalaje, protección de productos y aislamiento. Although its volume is high and its weight light, expanded polystyrene (EPS) has a high recycling potential when treated with appropriate industrial processes.

Recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) reduces the initial waste volume, facilitating its transport and subsequent recovery. Through efficient mechanical processes, recycled EPS can be reintroduced into new production cycles, demonstrating that polystyrene is recyclable and that its proper management directly contributes to the circular economy.

How to recycle expanded polystyrene and polystyrene?

Recycling expanded polystyrene and polystyrene requires a specific industrial process, designed to manage a very light, bulky material with a high reduction capacity.

At Silmisa we develop solutions that allow polystyrene to be recycled profitably, reducing its volume and facilitating its subsequent valorization.

In general, the recycling of polystyrene and EPS is structured in several key phases:

Reception and preparation of waste

Removing impurities and foreign remains from the material.

Volume reduction

By crushing or compacting, to facilitate handling and transport.

mechanical processing

Transforming white cork into a homogeneous recycled material.

Conditioning of recycled EPS

Ready for reuse in new industrial applications.

Recycling process of white cork and EPS

1. Reception and selection of material

The expanded polystyrene (EPS) is received at the plant and inspected to remove impurities such as foreign plastics, packaging remnants, or contaminants. This phase is key to guaranteeing the quality of the recycled EPS.

2. Crushing or initial reduction

The material undergoes a size reduction process that homogenizes the residue and prepares it for further compaction or processing.

3. Volume reduction and densification

Using specific systems, EPS is compacted or densified, achieving a very significant volume reduction. This stage is essential to decrease storage and transportation costs.

4. Conditioning of recycled material

The result is a recycled polystyrene with greater density and stability, ready for reuse in new industrial applications.

Benefits of expanded polystyrene recycling

Recycling expanded polystyrene (EPS) offers clear advantages both environmentally, operationally and economically. Although expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a lightweight and bulky material, its proper management through industrial processes demonstrates that polystyrene can be recycled efficiently and sustainability.

The main benefits of recycling expanded polystyrene include:

Drastic reduction in waste volume

This reduces transportation and storage costs.

Less environmental impact

By preventing EPS from ending up in landfills.

Making use of a recyclable material

With later industrial applications

Compliance with environmental regulations

Increasingly demanding regarding plastic waste.

Is polystyrene recyclable? Advantages and applications

Yes, polystyrene is recyclable when processed using appropriate machinery. Through crushing and densification, recycled polystyrene is transformed into a compact, stable and easy-to-handle material.

The main advantages of recycling polystyrene are:

It maintains technical properties suitable for new applications.

It allows for its reuse in industrial processes and the manufacture of new products.

It reduces the demand for virgin polystyrene and the consumption of natural resources.

Silmisa Maquinaria for the treatment of expanded polystyrene and polystyrene

Pre-shredders for porexpan and polystyrene

Pre-shredders are the first stage of the process when the polystyrene arrives in large blocks, bulky pieces or complete packages. These machines operate at low speed, allowing the material to be broken and opened without generating fines or saturating the line.

Shredders for expanded polystyrene

Crushers reduce the size of the pre-prepared material, resulting in a more uniform and manageable fraction. This stage is essential for improving the efficiency of densification and conveying processes.

Mills for EPS and white cork

Mills are used when more precise size reduction or controlled particle size distribution of recycled polystyrene is required. This type of equipment allows the material to be transformed into a homogeneous fraction, facilitating its compaction or subsequent reuse.

Conveyor belt

Conveyor belts ensure a continuous and controlled flow of expanded polystyrene (EPS) along the recycling line. Given EPS’s low weight, these systems are designed to prevent material buildup and loss.

Densimetric table

Densification is one of the most important phases in the recycling of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Using densification systems such as the densimetric table, the EPS is transformed into a more compact and stable material.

Complete recycling lines

We manufacture complete recycling lines for expanded polystyrene and polystyrene, integrating pre-shredding, crushing, grinding, conveying and densification in a continuous and automated process.