Abstract
The development of multilayer barrier materials and adhesives together with coex trusion and forming technology have generated substantial growth in the production of plastic containers. As a result of current interest in such plastic barrier products, intensive study is being made on the feasibility for the recovery of scrap which con tains barrier resins, such as polyvinylidene chloride copolymers (PVDC) and ethyl ene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). Since thermoforming of containers from coextruded sheet generates 30-50% scrap, an economically feasible barrier container requires a technically successful recycle system.
Recycling of multilayer structures containing barrier resins is technically more complex than recycling scrap containing two different polymers particularly with an asymmetrically positioned scrap layer. This paper describes the development of a new system for barrier coextruded products with asymmetrical structures containing 50-60% (by volume) in the recycle layer, particularly PVDC. A study model for con tinuous recycling of composite regrind is developed to provide good quality retort- able containers at reasonable costs; industrial trial results are also discussed.
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