Polyolefin Recycling – “Revolutionary Alliance: How Nordson BKG and Fimic Are Powering a Bold Breakthrough in Polyolefin Recycling to Transform Waste into Profit, Performance, and a Greener Future for the Global Plastics Industry” 10-10-2025
Polyolefin Recycling
Nordson BKG and Fimic Partner in Polyolefin Recycling Innovation
Nordson BKG (Germany) and Fimic (Italy) have formed a strategic alliance aimed at advancing polyolefin recycling technologies. The partnership was formally announced at K2025, positioning both firms to deliver fully integrated mechanical recycling systems optimized for high throughput and operational continuity.
What the Collaboration Offers
Together, Nordson BKG and Fimic will develop turnkey systems capable of processing 4 to 6 tons per hour of post-consumer plastics. These systems promise filtration accuracy down to 100–150 µm, spanning from twin-screw extruder discharge through underwater cutting stages.
Key challenges in the polyolefin recycling industry—such as feedstock variability, frequent filter clogging, and downtime—are addressed via a combined technological stack:
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Nordson BKG contributes gear pumps, diverter valves, and underwater cutting modules.
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Fimic provides automated, self-cleaning screen changers and process control expertise.
This merged offering aims to simplify system integration for end users, reducing coordination efforts across component vendors.
Three System Configurations
The partnership delivers three modular configurations tailored for different scales and operational philosophies:
DO-Line (Discontinuous Operation)
In DO-Line setups, the process must pause entirely during filter maintenance or replacement. While simpler, this approach suits operations with planned shutdown windows.
CO-Line (Continuous Operation)
CO-Line introduces dual diverter valves to manage two filter banks: one can be serviced while the other remains active, enabling up to 75 % productivity during changeovers.
CFO-Line (Continuous Flexible Operation)
CFO-Line is the most advanced mode. It integrates two underwater cutting systems, so one line remains in full production while the other undergoes maintenance—eliminating full-line downtime.
By offering these three configurations, Nordson BKG + Fimic can cater to a wide spectrum of industrial use cases.
Why This Partnership Matters
Simplified Customer Interface
From a commercial viewpoint, the partnership delivers a single point of contact for customers. This eliminates the complexity of managing multiple vendors, and streamlines:
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Project engineering
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Installation logistics
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Maintenance contracts
Demonstration Center in Münster
Integrated systems will be showcased at the Nordson BKG Technology Center in Münster, Germany. Prospective clients and research partners can observe real-time trials and performance demonstrations.
Italian Market Exclusivity
Earlier in 2025, Nordson’s Polymer Processing Systems (PPS) division appointed Fimic as the exclusive distributor in Italy for BKG melt filtration and pelletizing equipment. This ensures continuity and technical support for Italian clients evaluating polyolefin recycling solutions.
Technical Highlights & Innovations
High Filtration Precision
Achieving 100–150 µm filtration is non-trivial, especially in high throughput lines. The combination of Nordson’s fine control valves and Fimic’s self-cleaning screens helps maintain filtration performance under variable feedstocks.
Automated Self-Cleaning
Fimic’s self-cleaning screen changers reduce manual interventions, which is key to operational consistency. These systems automatically back-flush or switch screens based on pressure differentials.
Dual Valve Logic
The diverter valve arrangement in CO-Line and CFO-Line configurations allows fluid routing to alternate filter banks—minimizing interruptions during maintenance events.
Underwater Cutting Integration
By embedding underwater cutting downstream of filtration, the system ensures uniform pellet size while conserving melt quality—a critical requirement for recycled resins.
Use Cases & Industry Applications
This collaborative offering addresses several real-world demands in the circular plastics space:
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Automotive: Recycled polyolefins used in interior trims, exterior panels, and under-hood components.
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Packaging: High-quality recycled resins suitable for rigid packaging and containers.
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Consumer Goods: Tubs, crates, and components requiring near-virgin mechanical properties.
Operators in these sectors often face supply variability and regulatory pressure. The Nordson BKG + Fimic configuration helps bridge gaps in feedstock consistency and system reliability within polyolefin recycling operations.
Deployment Strategy & Support
Turnkey Integration
Customers receive a fully integrated line—extruder + filtration + pelletizing + cutting—without needing to homologate multiple vendors. Engineering, installation, and commissioning become smoother.
After-Sales & Maintenance
Post-installation support is unified. Spare parts, maintenance training, and remote diagnostics are handled under one umbrella. This reduces technical fragmentation.
Summary & Takeaways
Nordson BKG and Fimic’s partnership is a major step forward in the polyolefin recycling field. By combining advanced filtration, diverter valves, and self-cleaning systems, they offer modular, scalable systems (DO-Line, CO-Line, CFO-Line) tailored to different operational needs. Customers benefit from simplified vendor management and unified support.
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