Smart Shredding at 20mm: Harden’s Technology Boosts Plastic Recycling Efficiency

Turning Waste Plastics into Valuable Resources

Chemical recycling is becoming an important part of the circular economy. Through methods like pyrolysis, cracking, and depolymerization, waste plastics can be turned into useful raw materials again.

But there’s one big problem that slows this process poor shredding before treatment. When plastic pieces are uneven or full of impurities, it affects the chemical reactions, increases energy use, and reduces the overall success of recycling.

ARCLER | HARDEN has solved this problem with its precision shredding technology, which produces even 20mm-sized plastic pieces the perfect size for chemical recycling.

The Real Problem: Coarse Shredding in Recycling

At first, shredding plastic waste seems simple just make it smaller. But in real operations, traditional shredders produce uneven pieces that cause major issues later.

For example, when you have a mix of big chunks (over 150mm) and tiny pieces, the heat inside recycling reactors spreads unevenly. This reduces reaction quality and uses more energy.

Also, plastic films and sheets can get tangled, causing blockages and machine stops. This leads to downtime and lower productivity. Multi-step shredding systems also use more power and can’t handle the large yearly volumes needed for chemical recycling.In short, irregular shreds slow down the whole recycling chain. The answer lies in precision shredding that creates uniform, consistent material from the very beginning.

How Harden’s Precision Shredding Changed the Game

In a major recycling project in Shandong Province China, experts realized that to make chemical recycling truly effective, the entire process from raw material collection to shredding and conversion needed to be upgraded.

The project used all types of plastic waste PE and PP films, industrial scraps, household waste, and even old landfill plastics.

Chemical recycling is flexible; it can handle dirty, colored, or mixed plastics that normal mechanical recycling can’t. But for it to work efficiently, the shredded materials must be clean and consistent.This is where Harden’s shredding system became the key solution. By handling tangled films and mixed industrial waste, Harden’s machine produced uniform, process-ready shreds, helping the project run smoothly and more economically.

Why Harden’s 20mm Precision Shredding Stands Out

Harden’s advanced shredding machines include smart features that make recycling faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective:

• Adjustable Screening System:
  Ensures output sizes between 20mm to 40mm with over 95% accuracy, matching the strict needs of pyrolysis processes.
  
• Multi-Edge Blades:
  Each blade has four cutting edges, lasting longer and reducing replacement costs while handling tough or soft plastics effectively.
  
• Variable Torque Drive System:
  Handles all kinds of plastics from soft films to hard plastics without interruptions.
  
• Adjustable Shear Gaps:
  Designed to suit different materials and target sizes, balancing power use and output speed.
  The system can process up to 20 tons per hour, perfect for large recycling plants.
  

Together, these features create a steady flow of 20mm uniform plastic pieces. This helps reduce energy waste, prevents clogging, and improves chemical reaction efficiency making recycling faster and more reliable.

Big Results: 100,000 Tons Processed Every Year

Once fully running, the Shandong China project will process over 100,000 tons of waste plastics every year. This will help reduce over 100,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, supporting China’s green goals and “zero-waste city” plans.

Financially, it is expected to generate over 400 million RMB, creating more jobs and supporting the growth of eco-friendly industries.This project shows how better pre-treatment like Harden’s shredding system can connect innovation and real-world recycling success. The goal isn’t just to cut plastic it’s to turn waste into valuable material for a sustainable future.

Leading the Way in Plastic Recycling

Recycling success depends on two things accuracy and speed. With Harden Machinery’s precision shredding technology, industries can achieve both.

By producing 20mm uniform shreds, Harden helps recyclers get the best performance from chemical processes while saving energy and time.

To know more about how we use such innovative technologies for industrial recycling, visit Arcler Projects.

Together, we are shaping a smarter and cleaner recycling future one precise shred at a time.