Bringing reliable solutions to recycling

Bühler is a leading solution provider of die casting, wet grinding, and surface coating technologies, with an emphasis on automotive, optics, electronics, printing & packaging inks, and glass applications. As a leading technology group, it invests a portion of its sales revenue to support R&D with particular commitment to sustainability. Bühler, over the years has developed state of the art technology that allows recyclers to achieve the ultimate yield, maximising their profitability and productivity. Proud of its roots, Bühler with 10,600 employees operates across 140 countries.

In a recent interview with International Plastics News – Middle East and Africa (IRNEA) Faisal Baig, Global Product Manager - Optical Sorting at Bühler shared insights on the Middle Eastern markets, the company’s regional intent and products and trends that will dominate markets in years to come.

IRNEA: What new products has Bühler introduced in recent times?

Mr. Baig: Bühler provides optical sorting solutions for plastic processing and recycling industries, who demand the highest standards of purity and quality. The SORTEX range of optical sorters focuses on precision sorting, maximising capacity and yield, and delivering a consistent performance. The SORTEX range meets individual requirements and is suitable for small, medium and large-scale processing. It is able to sort a variety of plastics; PET flakes, HDPE flakes, uPVC window regrind (off-cuts and post-consumer), WEEE/ELV residue (wire recovery), PVB, PP, ABS, PS and plastic pellets, as well as colour grouping to further maximise product value.

Building on decades of experience in optical sorting, Bühler has launched a fully integrated optical sorting station (OSS), for the sorting of recycled plastic flakes. Complete optical sorting stations have been installed at recycling companies such as Poly Recycling, with the flake sorting stage capable of sorting a wide range of PET flakes, to create high quality products than previously possible. This is a significant development for plastic recycling processors. Increasingly, they are looking for reliable solutions to remove unwanted polymers, together with unwanted colours and foreign materials, including flakes coated with glue or adhesives, loose paper labels and aluminium and ferrous metals. It also enables multinational food and beverage companies to meet the demands for high quality food grade recycled rPET products increasing the use of recycled materials in plastic packaging. From a single supplier the OSS provides an integrated separating/sorting step into the process line, including plant engineering, sorting technology, mechanical separation machinery, pneumatic conveyors, pre-conditioners, and auxiliary equipment.

 Faisal Baig, Global Product Manager - Optical Sorting at Bühler

IRNEA: What growth prospects does the company see in the Middle Eastern region?

Mr. Baig: We already have many installations in the Middle East and our customer base is continuously growing. Disposal of plastic waste is an important challenge in the Middle East where plastics make up as much as one-tenth of the solid waste stream. In affluent Gulf Cooperation Council nations, plastic waste composition in solid waste is around 12 – 16 percent. Plastic waste in the region continues to increase due to growing use of plastics in daily life.

Since the successful installation of the fully integrated OSS, Bühler has been working closely with a number of leading plastic recyclers around the world, to install its optical sorting station and will continue delivering its solutions to the growing plastics recycling sector.

IRNEA: What area is the company looking at investing in this region?

Mr. Baig: Plastics recycling remains a very promising business with plenty of scope for further development. There are vast opportunities for investments in Plastics in the Middle East. While the global plastics industry is projected to grow by 5 percent in 2015, in the high-income GCC countries, it is expected to expand by 30 percent yearly in the next five years. This new era of growth will see further diversification within the plastics industry and substantial investments to boost polymer capacity and meet the region’s target of becoming the world’s biggest supplier of raw materials. Bühler is gearing up to address and meet this demand by continually investing in R&D that innovate technologies to support these requirements.

IRNEA: What market trends impact on your directions? Which regional markets hold potential for Bühler?

Mr. Baig: Future trends in the market include better collection processes, zero waste, traceability, accountability and social responsibility leading to higher profits and greater efficiency. All regional markets have potential and Bühler will invest in the Middle East according to the market demands. In recent years the Middle East region has developed not just as a significant producer of plastics materials but has also seen the growth of important domestic plastics recycling markets. The countries in the Middle East form a diverse group of economies including the Gulf Co-operation Council (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates & Qatar). Turkey is also considered to be a very important player in plastics recycling in the Middle East as it seeks a more important economic and political role within the region.

IRNEA: Are you launching any new product or service? 

Mr. Baig: Bühler is committed to continuing innovation, to extend the range of optical sorting applications for plastics processing, to help recyclers achieve their goals. As plastic recyclers look to adopt more solutions which are technically advanced and energy efficient processes which deliver the maximum yield, the demand for Bühler’s leading optical sorting solutions will continue to grow.

IRNEA: What potential does the Middle Eastern markets hold for Bühler's products?

Mr. Baig: Like all other modern urban centers, the Middle East also faces challenges due to the tremendous quantity of waste produced in many different forms. The gross urban waste generation from Middle East countries exceeds 150 million tons per annum, out of which 12 - 16 percent is contributed by solid plastic wastes. The expanding population, growing consumption, and a swelling trend towards a “disposable” culture, is presenting challenges across the region and beyond.

Plastic consumption has grown at a tremendous rate over the past two decades as plastics now play an important role in all aspects of the modern lifestyle. Since plastic does not decompose biologically, the amount of plastic waste in our surroundings is steadily increasing. Plastic waste is often the most objectionable kind of litter and is visible in landfill sites for years without degrading. In conclusion, plastics recycling hold tremendous business potential with plenty of scope for further development. Wherever there is a market for plastic waste and recycling, it holds substantial possibilities and  opportunities for Bühler solutions.

IRNEA: What new strategic partnerships is the company targeting for growth and expansion?

Mr. Baig: Bühler's reputation as the number one technology partner of choice is a results of many aspects including its significant investment in its customer partnerships, technical innovations and localised service and support. This is particularly important at a time when many plastics recyclers are looking to adapt to more advanced and energy efficient processes. Bühler is committed to continuing innovation and strategic partnerships to extend the range of optical sorting applications for plastics processing, to help recyclers achieve their goals while simultaneously achieving  growth and profits.