Who sells clear recycled postconsumer polypropylene? Best answer on the web

Jan 08, 2009 @ 04:59 am by anonym
  • I need to locate a domestic (USA) source of pelletized postconsumer recycled polypropylene that is clear or colorable to a translucent red.


  • .
    Not sure if this information will help, but here it goes. :)

    "Recycler's World, is a free worldwide information exchange for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade recyclable commodities, used materials, and collectible items. Secondary materials can be direct marketed through this free-access public site. Price information is available."
    http://www.recycle.net/recycle/index.html


    On that site, I found the following posting:

    AVAILABLE : LA295773
    Shipping Pt.: UK, UK PORT NA
    Clear PP Scrap (baled) - PP scrap with PVDC coated. Have available post industry waste PP film scrap with PVDC coating all clear in bales) Quantity about 100 ton per month, size bale 48' wide and 24 inches width) each bale weight 425/450 kilo each
    This is the URL for that posting:
    http://www.recycle.net/cgi-bin/exview.cgi?w=01&sc=1005&g=09

    The grades that are included in the PP Polypropylene Recycling category are given here: http://www.recycle.net/Plastic/pp/index.html
    I couldn't find a whole lot that said anything about "postconsumer" though...

    Then there's the address, phone and URL for this association - they may be able to help you find the information you need:
    Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers
    1300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
    Arlington, VA 22209
    703.253.0605 (phone) • 703.253.0606 (fax)

    http://plasticsrecycling.org/


    I hope the info above is of some help to you!

    TexasT
    .


  • Dear mwooley:

    Thank you for your question. Below is a list of domestic suppliers of recycled polypropylene, but as I am unsure whether it is pelletized and clear, I am posting this is a clarification request. If I had information on its application (rigid packaging, etc), I would be able to refine the list further.
    http://markets.plasticsresource.com/results.asp?st=AL%2CAK%2CAZ%2CAR%2CCA%2CCO%2CCT%2CDE%2CDC%2CFL%2CGA%2CHI%2CID%2CIL%2CIN%2CIA%2CKS%2CKY%2CLA%2CME%2CMD%2CMA%2CMI%2CMN%2CMS%2CMO%2CMT%2CNE%2CNV%2CNH%2CNJ%2CNM%2CNY%2CNC%2CND%2COH%2COK%2COR%2CPA%2CRI%2CSC%2CSD%2CTN%2CTX%2CUT%2CVT%2CVA%2CWA%2CWV%2CWI%2CWY&by=2&rs=4
    Best Regards,
    blader-ga


  • This was a difficult question, and the research done on my behalf was thorough and timely. I appreciate the efforts!


  • Some additional recognizable sources from Thomas Register:

    Muehlstein, H., & Co., Inc.
    800-T Connecticut Ave.
    Norwalk, CT 06854-1631
    USA
    Tel: 888-627-1888
    Fax: 203-855-6031
    Product Description
    Global Supplier Of Thermoplastics & Rubber Materials, Including Post Industrial & Post Consumer Plastics. Supplier Of Reprocessed PS, ABS, PE, PP Resins. Purchasers Of Plastic Scrap For Reclaim/Reuse.

    Resource Plastics Corp.
    3365 South Hwy. 149
    Eagan, MN 55121
    USA
    Tel: 888-232-9210
    Fax: 651-905-4555
    Product Description
    Polypropylene Plastic Resin Pellets


    PolyTrade, Inc.
    1033 Providence Rd.
    Whitinsville, MA 01588 2121
    USA
    Tel: 508-234-7400
    Fax: 508-234-2208
    Product Description
    Buyers & Sellers Of Plastic Resins, Chemicals & Scrap For Injection Molding, Extrusion & Compounding


  • I was on the road yesterday but decided to call some of the possible vendors for you to see if a steady supply of translucent PP could be obtained. My first call was to Washington Penn (who I forgot to give you as a resource yesterday). A technical person there told me they only supply black and I would have a difficult time finding a steady source of translucent anywhere. I have calls in to some of the other references I gave you and will add information as it is available.
    Your best source may be as regrind from matrix at a thermoformer who is using PP rather than post consumer recycle....
    seedy


  • Myron:

    Got a call back from Talco Plastics, Corona, CA. They have homopolymer 8 melt, injection grade, on the floor right now (natural) they have for sale at .36 per pound. They get copolymer 12 melt on occasion for which they ask .42 per pound. I spoke with Brad Zentkowski at (909) 531-2000. Told him I was doing a small consulting project for a company in San Diego. You can reference me as the person from NH who called him.
    I'd suggest you start at http://markets.plasticsresource.com/ and search for all recyclers in CA who show PP as a product and call them. That is how I got Talco
    I'm afraid it would be inefficient for me to call further on your behalf since you are best suited to discuss grade, pricing, and quantity.
    Thank you for using Google Answers for your inquiry. I hope you have a chance to rate the information you have received. I'll be glad to clarify if I can be of further assistance.
    seedy


  • Located translucent .4 fractional melt grind and various other forms and characteristics by calling from the following list. http://markets.plasticsresource.com/

    Unless you can give me the properties (melt characteristics), quantitiy, and location, it is not practical for me to call on your behalf. The resource listed above gives you the ability to search by location in order to call with your requirements.
    Google search strategy:
    PP + recycling
    "plastic recycling'

    If I can provide further clarification, please don't hesitate to ask..
    seedy


  • What process are you planning to use in the production of a product from the recycled PP?? Thermoforming?? injection molding??
    seedy


  • Seedy, thanks for your research. My efforts in finding a suitable material haven't panned out. Everything out there is black. Our process is injection molding. The particular application uses a hot runner mold, so the recycled material must be free from debris such as paper or rocks... We are currently using Basell SB787, with a MI of 22. I am anticipating having to crank up the back pressure to get a good mix with whatever material we end up with. I want to use no more than about 20% scrap blended into virgin. By the way, we are located in the San Diego area.
    Thanks!
    Myron


  • The June 24, 2002 issue of Plastics News lists industrial recycled PP at .19-.23 per pound in pellets or .12-.17 per pound in "clean regrind or flake". I would be a bit suspicious of the clarity of this polymer since a great deal of "natural" PP is more like white rather than translucent.
    United Plastics in Flint, MI 810 238 2186 advertises in the classified section of this issue as "Buy/Sell plastic and surplus regrind repro" and claims to "specialize in HDPE, HDPE HMW, HIPS, Polypro and Nylon Glass fill"
    Capco Polymer (division of Capco Recycling) also lists recycled PP in the classified section of Plastics News at http://www.capcopolymers.com phone 888 482 4686 and lists their Cleveland office at 877 702 2975.
    Also,
    CSI Plastics http://www.CSIplastics.com refers to Buy/Sell of a vast variety of recycled plastics.
    Also,
    Majestic Plastics http://www.majesticplastics.com at 918 542 2282

    Also,
    Shoenberg Plastics 914 962 1200 claims to buy many scrap, regrind, repro, lumps etc of a vast variety of plastics.
    Also,
    Domino Plastics http://www.domplas.com 631 751 1995

    The American Plastics Council, 1300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22209, U.S.A., Telephone: 1 800 243 5790 would be a good source for recyclers IN YOUR AREA who are capable of supplying clear or "natural" recycled PP which could be blended to translucent red.
    The supply of HDPE will be much greater and much more adaptable to an application for a clear to translucent recycled polymer since a main source of this polymer is translucent milk bottles. The price per pound will be higher as well.
    Of course, clear PET will be very commonly available but will approximate .52-.56 per pound for pellets.
    I have purchased millions of pounds of these resins over the years prior to my retirement. Except for PET, most of the other recyled resins sources are not reliable for consistency and ease of processing. You may have a compelling marketing reason for having recycled resin in your product but virgin prices, while about twice the price of recycled resin offer so many processing advantages for technical or design products which often offset the material price advantage.
    I'd suggest http://www.thomasregister.com as a good source for virgin PP resin.
    If you need clarification of this answer or additional information, please don't hesitate to request it and I'll be happy to try to provide it to you....Great questions stimulate the GA community. Thank you for providing one for me today.


  • Myron:

    Difficult problem. I know a molder in City of Industry, WNA Comet West, who molds cutlery so he might have some regrind for sale although I suspect he uses most everything he has back into the blender...and it probably is mostly white or colors. If you could give me quantity per month, I'll give him a call for you.
    Have you called the Southern CA recyclers listed at:
    http://markets.plasticsresource.com/

    I called a couple this morning using a quantity of 4 gaylords a month to see if anyone has any steady supply. Awaiting call backs...I'll post information as I receive it..
    seedy