ACM Recycling

Recycling and Sustainability - Delamination and Separation
SUPPLY - FABRICATION - RECYCLE

ACM RECYCLING SERVICE

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ARE YOU INVOLVED IN A PROJECT FOR THE REMOVAL AND RE-CLADDING OF ACMS?

Please get in touch to find out how you can process your waste in an environmentally friendly, sustainable and ethical way.

Exclusively partnered with Pro Composite Recycling, PCS can now offer a closed-loop recycling solution for Aluminium Composite Materials (ACM) in the UK and Ireland, ensuring 100% of waste from ACMs are diverted from landfill.  

Waste ACMs are typically difficult to recycle and usually end up in landfill. With the extensive removal and replacement of cladding across the UK, waste ACMs are becoming a significant problem for landfill, with the alternative to ship it overseas.

Working with Pro Composite Recycling’s processing facility in Dudley, we can process your waste ACMs by separating the layers into aluminium and polyethylene (PE) ready for use in future manufacturing.

This process diverts 100% of waste material from landfill.

Our partnership with PCR now provides our clients with a unique opportunity in the UK to ensure waste from fabricated ACM materials and any ACM cladding removed deemed as unsuitable can now be effectively recycled in the UK’s first closed-loop recycling solution.

ACM cycle
The recycling process:
We have several machines in the UK that can process Aluminium Composite Panels from 0.28mm – 0.5mm Aluminium skins (3mm – 4mm).
 
And for other grades we work to process in the following way:
 
  • Sorting – The aluminium with the plastic film and adhesive is segregated from other materials like paper, glass, and other metals.
  • Shredding – The sorted aluminium is then shredded into small pieces to make the separation process easier.
  • Heating – The shredded aluminium is then heated in a furnace to melt it.
  • De-coating – While the aluminium is melting, the plastic film and adhesive coating will burn off at a lower temperature and become gases. These gases can be captured and processed to minimise emissions.
  • Skimming – Once the aluminium is molten, the remaining plastic and adhesive residue will float to the top and can be skimmed off the surface.
  • Solidifying – The molten aluminium is then poured into moulds to solidify into ingots or other forms that can be used to make new aluminium products.
  • Recycling – The solidified aluminium can then be recycled into new products, reducing the need for virgin materials and minimising waste.
 

It’s worth noting that the specific process for recycling aluminium with plastic film and adhesive may vary depending on the recycling facility and/or local authority restrictions.  Additionally, not all recycling facilities may be equipped to handle this type of material, so it’s important that end-users check with their local recycling centre and/or local council to determine what materials they can accept.