Bunting, a leading provider of metal separation solutions for the plastics industry, once again showcased its latest innovations at the K-Show 2022. This year's exhibit was larger than ever, reflecting the company’s expanding product range and growing global presence. The stand attracted a wide variety of visitors from around the world, many of whom were eager to learn more about Bunting’s advanced technologies.

The Bunting team at the event was truly international, with representatives traveling from the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy. This was also Robert Bunting’s first major international trade show since he was appointed President and CEO of the global Bunting Group, making it a significant moment for the company.

A Changing Plastics Industry

Environmental awareness is reshaping the plastics sector. There's a strong global push to reduce single-use plastics, especially in packaging. Many companies are exploring alternatives like cardboard, as seen with Amazon's shift away from plastic. However, plastic remains a vital material used in everything from automotive parts to consumer goods. As the world moves toward a circular economy, innovation in both product design and processing equipment is on the rise.

From Primary Production to Recycling

Like all manufacturing sectors, primary plastics producers are focused on minimizing waste. Any byproducts are typically reclaimed and recycled. However, recovering and recycling post-consumer waste—both domestic and industrial—is far more complex. At K-Show 2022, Bunting demonstrated several multi-stage metal separation systems that help address these challenges.

Focused on Metal Separation

Bunting’s exhibit centered on preventing metal contamination in plastic production. Metal debris can damage machinery and lead to product defects, resulting in unnecessary waste. By using a combination of magnetic separators and metal detectors, this risk can be significantly reduced. On display were full-scale models of these systems, showing how they operate in real-world conditions.

Depending on the plant layout, different types of separators are used. For example, Easy-to-Clean FF Drawer Magnets are often placed above injection molding machines to remove ferrous contaminants from raw or recycled plastic pellets. Metal detectors then catch any non-ferrous metals. A combined system of a FF Drawer Magnet and gravity-fed metal detector ensures complete metal removal from both virgin and recycled materials.

In recycling operations, the Eddy Current Metal Separator plays a key role. It effectively separates ferrous metals and small aluminum fragments from shredded PET. When paired with a high-intensity Drum Magnet, it forms an essential step in the global metal recovery process.

An Evolving Future for Plastics

“Our stand was packed from the very first day,” said Alan Why, Bunting’s European Sales Manager. “The plastics industry is definitely changing, and this is creating a higher demand for reliable separation technology. Both primary producers and recyclers need proven solutions that maximize efficiency and minimize waste. K-Show 2022 gave us a great platform to showcase our products, and it was clear that our technology made a strong impression.”