Thermoforming Sheet Scrap Recycling
Thermoforming sheet scrap is produced when plastic sheet is formed into trays, lids, boxes, cups and other containers. Depending on the machine configuration, this scrap can account for 10–50% of the sheet material used. Recycling this relatively clean material keeps it from going to waste. This page explains two methods used by Hetian Machinery customers: the HSR Inline Sheet Crusher and the HG Large Plastic Granulator.
What Is Thermoforming Plastic Sheet Waste?
Thermoforming plastic sheet waste is produced when a flat plastic sheet is heated and formed into products such as cups, trays, lids, or containers. After the products are cut or punched from the sheet, material can remain around them, stay attached to them, or leave the line as trimmed or rolled production scrap.
The name changes with the waste's appearance and the production stage where it is removed:
Skeletal web, sheet skeleton or punched sheet
When finished products have been punched or cut out, the remaining continuous frame may be called skeletal web, skeletal waste, sheet skeleton, punched sheet, or web scrap.
Sheet with cups or formed products
If cups, trays, lids, or other formed shapes are still attached to the surrounding sheet, the waste may be described as sheet with cups, sheet with formed products, or formed sheet scrap.
Edge trim, start-up sheet or rolled sheet
Narrow strips cut from sheet edges are edge trim. Sheet produced during start-up or adjustment may be called start-up sheet. Continuous sheet scrap collected for later processing becomes rolled sheet scrap.
HSR can process edge trim and rolled plastic sheet. For skeletal web, start-up sheet and sheet with formed products, Hetian reviews photos and full dimensions before recommending an HSR or HG configuration.
How Is Thermoforming Sheet Scrap Recycled?
Thermoforming sheet scrap can be recycled using an Inline Sheet Crusher or a centralized recycling solution such as a Large Plastic Granulator. An inline sheet crusher pulls and crushes continuous scrap beside the production line. A large plastic granulator processes collected rolls, bundles and other compatible production scrap in a central recycling area.
How the Scrap Reaches the Crusher
Manual winding and transfer
- Scrap leaves the line
- Wind and remove rolls
- Move the rolls
- Batch crushing
Inline HSR
- Compatible continuous scrap
- HSR pulls and crushes
- Collect or convey, as configured
Returning processed material to production requires a separately configured system.
HSR Inline Sheet Crusher
Inline recyclingThe HSR Inline Sheet Crusher crushes suitable continuous sheet scrap beside the thermoforming line. This reduces winding the scrap into rolls and moving it to another crusher. Sheet width helps determine which HSR model is needed.
Explore the HSR Inline Sheet Crusher →
HG Large Plastic Granulator for Bulky Products
Centralized recyclingThe HG Large Plastic Granulator crushes collected sheet rolls, bundles, rejected cups and other suitable plastic scrap in one recycling area. The collected scrap is moved to the machine and fed in batches.
Explore HG Centralized Processing →Thermoforming Recycling FAQs
Is inline recycling useful on a slower line?
Yes. An inline sheet crusher reduces the work of winding scrap into rolls, moving those rolls and feeding them into a separate crusher. It takes scrap directly from the production line, with the feed speed set to suit your slower line.
How does HSR work with the line's sheet output?
HSR's arm helps keep sheet feeding steady. It pauses and restarts the feed as sheet slack changes. Feed speed is preset to suit the production line, and the configuration must suit the sheet width and line speed.
See HSR Feed ControlWhat if I already have central recycling or several lines?
You can keep your central recycling system for collected scrap and use an inline sheet crusher on individual lines that produce continuous scrap. The inline crusher reduces winding and transfer work on those lines, while the central system continues to process collected batches.