Hanover, June 05, 2023 – Recycling conveyor belts is difficult because they consist of materials like PVC and polyester that are bonded together and contain additives that are hard to separate. Which is why, to date, these types of conveyor belts have been disposed of at the end of their useful lives.
Vanderlande is a market-leading, global partner for future-proof logistics process automation in warehouses, airports, and parcel handling. Forbo Movement Systems is a premier supplier of high-quality conveyor and processing, plastic modular, first-class power transmission, as well as timing and flat belts made of synthetic materials. The two companies have now joined forces in the Netherlands to solve the problem of worn-out conveyor belts and production waste.
Sustainable, Recycled Conveyor Belts Thanks to Collaboration on Innovative Solutions
Every year, thousands of conveyor belts are replaced in airports, warehouses, and parcel distribution centers. Vanderlande plays a pivotal role in the value chain and is working closely with Forbo and Vinylrecycling to overcome the challenges associated with recycling conveyor belts. The collaboration involves working on technical aspects, such as how to separate the materials into fractions or valuable materials, reusing the materials, and the logistical issues of returning plastics. The goal is to achieve a circular solution.
SynchUp!, a program initiated by REWIN that focuses on developing and putting sustainable recycling solutions into practice, was appointed to identify requirements and come up with companies that could provide solutions. Of all the many proposals, Vinylrecycling’s approach proved to be exceptionally promising.
Vinylrecycling has in-depth PVC recycling expertise and offers pragmatic ways of processing or reusing this versatile material. If the tests prove to be successful, these conveyor belts would no longer be discarded.
Vanderlande, SynchUp!, Vinylrecycling and Forbo Movement Systems’ initiatives mirror the growing awareness of environmental issues and sustainable business practices. By developing an efficient recycling method for conveyor belts, the companies will play a key role in conserving resources and creating a greener future.
