Advanced Separation for Black and Mixed Plastics

The hamos KRS is an industrial recycling system designed to refine mixed plastic streams, including black plastics, into cleaner, single‑polymer fractions. It uses electrostatic separation to handle materials that challenge other sorting systems.

This system is suited to operations processing:

• Electronic waste (WEEE) plastics
• Automotive shredder residue (ASR)
• Mixed industrial plastics

It is not a front‑end shredder or washer. Instead, it integrates into a recycling train after initial preprocessing stages.

Key Benefits

Effective on Black Plastics

Electrostatic separation works independently of colour and optical reflectivity. This makes it effective on black and dark materials that typical optical sorters cannot separate reliably.

Better Product Streams

By separating plastics based on electrical behaviour, the KRS helps produce cleaner ABS, PS, and PP fractions with improved material quality.

Flexible Integration

The system is designed to complement upstream size reduction, metal removal, and density separation equipment.

Operational Efficiency

Continuous operation and stable throughput make it suitable for industrial recycling facilities.

How It Works

The hamos KRS system uses a staged approach:

• Feed Preparation

Before entering the KRS, material should be:

• Shredded to consistent particle size
• Dried and de‑dusted
• Cleared of large ferrous and non‑ferrous metals

• Electrostatic Separation

Particles are charged and then passed through electric fields. Differences in electrical behaviour allow separation into distinct fractions.

• Fraction Output

Separated materials are collected as distinct streams for sale or reprocessing.

This process works on black, mixed, and previously difficult‑to‑sort plastics.

Typical Applications

• E‑Waste Recycling – Recover plastics from computers, TVs, appliances
• Automotive Shredder Residue – Extract polymer fractions from ASR
• Industrial Plastics – Refine mixed plastic waste from manufacturing

Integration with Existing Systems

The hamos KRS is not a standalone solution. It works best when integrated with:

• Shredders
• Metal separators
• Density separators
• Washing systems

This creates a complete recycling train from waste to marketable polymers.

Comparison to Other Technologies

Technology: Optical💠Best For: Sorters Colour‑distinct plastics💠Limitation: Struggle with black plastics

Technology: Density💠Best For: Separation Different densities💠Limitation: Cannot separate same‑density polymers

Technology: Electrostatic (KRS)💠Best For: Electrical behaviour differences💠Limitation: Requires dry, prepared feed

This highlights why electrostatic systems like the hamos KRS offer value where others fall short.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the KRS separate black plastics?

A: Yes. Electrostatic separation does not depend on optical properties, so it handles black plastics effectively.

Q: What feed preparation is required?

A: Material must be shredded, dry, and free of large metals for optimal performance.

Q: Where is this system used?

A: It’s used in recycling facilities processing WEEE, ASR, and mixed industrial plastics.

Contact Us

To explore how the hamos KRS could fit your operation, contact us for a customised solution.

We can help with:

• Material assessment
• System design
• Feasibility guidance

Get in touch today to discuss your requirements.

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