Our Process Uses Game-Changing Recycling Technology.
The game-changing polypropylene recycling technology that PureCycle uses consists of seven main process stages that help close the loop on plastic waste while making recycled plastics more accessible at scale.
The game-changing polypropylene recycling technology that PureCycle uses consists of seven main process stages that help close the loop on plastic waste while making recycled plastics more accessible at scale.
The Purification Process
Each process step is a standalone HydroDyn system unit
The HydroDyn system units are highly flexible and can be operated in one central or separate locations.
1. Extraction
Polymer/Solvent Mixer and Extraction Column
Upon being melted down, the contaminated plastic is put into the solution at unique conditions that start the purification process. Once the polymer is covered with solvent, also known as the “Polypropylene Solution,” the viscosity (or thickness) is reduced in preparation for the extraction phase.
During extraction, our process creates the ideal conditions where dissimilar things separate. Like hot water can extract tannins from tea leaves, fresh solvent pulls out color and odor from the solution during extraction. The light stream is a byproduct stream that is collected later in the process.
2. Mixing & Settling
Polymer Mixer and Large Particle Settler
Additional solvent is then mixed with the Polypropylene Solution to reduce the polymer concentration.
The Polyethylene/Solids settler allows contaminations and other plastics, also known as insoluble solids and polymers, to settle out of the process.
These large particulates form a byproduct stream that is collected later in the process.
4. Filtering
Candle Filters
From here, we simply alter the conditions to create an environment where similar things stay together, like a coffee filter keeps the coffee grinds from flowing into the pot. The Polypropylene Solution is filtered for smaller particulates or grains carried over from the decanter.
Micron-sized particulates are captured by the vessels via the filter.