Case Study: Microex Cast – Simplifying r-PET Quality Testing with EUR.EX.MA

As demand for recycled PET (r-PET) grows across Europe, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to integrate sustainable materials without compromising quality or process stability. EUR.EX.MA’s Microex Cast system, available in the UK and Ireland through UK Extrusion, offers a powerful solution for rapid, accurate testing of recycled flakes in a realistic production environment.

Meeting European Demands for Recycled Content

With EU regulations requiring 30% recycled content in PET bottles by 2030, and 1.4 million tonnes of recycled PET already being used for food-contact packaging, manufacturers are racing to develop cost-effective ways to validate r-PET for use in their processes.

However, variations in flake quality, high cost compared to virgin material, and the need for major equipment adaptation remain key hurdles. To address these, fast and accurate lab-scale testing has become an essential part of R&D for recyclers and converters alike.

A Smarter Way to Test r-PET

The Microex Cast system is engineered specifically for extrusion testing using PET flakes, removing the need for regranulation and allowing trials that better reflect real-world production.

Key features include:

• Low sample requirement: Run tests with as little as 300g of material, minimising waste and expense.
• Direct flake feeding: Forced dosing system enables direct use of r-PET flakes, simulating real production conditions.
• In-line defect detection: Built-in visual system categorises imperfections in real-time, helping to optimise feedstock and fine-tune processes.
• Thermo-regulated calender: Allows greater process flexibility and supports a wide range of testing scenarios.

In-Person Testing at EUR.EX.LAB

UK Extrusion and EUR.EX.MA welcome interested companies to experience the Microex Cast system first-hand. Testing can be carried out in the UK or at the dedicated EUR.EX.LAB facility near Milan, which houses the full EUR.EX.MA range including:

• The Microex Cast
• X-TR 25 single-screw regranulator
• X-TWIN S twin-screw regranulator

Ready to Improve Your r-PET Testing?

Book your demonstration with UK Extrusion and explore how the Microex Cast can support your transition to more sustainable, reliable recycled materials.