Wuhu Baolvt Focuses on Plastic Recycling Technology: Modified Recycled HDPE, Promoting the Implementation of the Circular Economy

In the context of increasingly severe global plastic pollution, innovation and application of plastic recycling technologies have become key drivers for promoting a circular economy and sustainable development. As the world's largest producer and consumer of plastics, China generates over 60 million tons of waste plastic annually, yet its recycling rate is less than 30%, significantly lower than the average 50% in developed countries. How to improve the efficiency, quality, and added value of plastic recycling through technological innovation has become a crucial issue for industry development. This article will explore the current state of plastic recycling technology and discuss the innovative practices and application promotion by Wuhu Botree Plastics Technology Co., Ltd. in this field, providing a reference for technological upgrades in the plastic recycling industry.

I. Current Status and Classification of Plastic Recycling Process Technology

The plastic recycling process technology is mainly divided into two major paths: physical recycling and chemical recycling, each with its own characteristics and limitations.

Physical recycling technology is currently the most widely used and mature method. It involves mechanically processing waste plastics by crushing, cleaning, drying, and melting into granules to form recycled plastic pellets. In 2023, the output of recycled plastics through physical methods reached 18 million tons, accounting for 76% of the total recycled plastics, and it is expected to exceed 22 million tons by 2025. Its advantages include a simple technological process, lower initial investment, lower processing costs, and no new pollution during the recycling process. However, physical recycling also has significant limitations: the performance of recycled materials deteriorates, with each cycle resulting in approximately a 30% performance drop; the sorting accuracy is insufficient, making it difficult to meet the purity requirements for high-end applications; and it primarily leads to downgraded utilization, making it challenging to achieve original-grade recycling of plastics.

In contrast, chemical recycling technologies, such as pyrolysis and catalytic cracking, convert waste plastics into monomer raw materials or fuels, capable of handling complex and contaminated waste, with product performance approaching that of virgin materials (over 95%). In 2023, the production capacity of chemical recycling reached 450,000 tons, concentrated in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, and is expected to reach 800,000 tons by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 25% from 2025 to 2030. Although chemical recycling has advantages in performance, it faces high equipment investment and operational costs, approximately three times that of physical recycling, which restricts its large-scale application.

In terms of recycling technology innovation, intelligent sorting technology has become a key factor in improving recycling efficiency. In 2023, AI optical sorting technology accounted for 42%, with the accuracy of plastic identification increasing from 89% in 2020 to 97.8%, and sorting speed reaching 450 items per minute. Infrared sorting technology can accurately identify PVC impurities in HDPE, enhancing purity by 40%. Supercritical CO₂ cleaning technology can remove label adhesive residues, with processing efficiency improved threefold compared to traditional methods. These technological advancements provide strong support for the upgrade of plastic recycling processes.

II. Technological Innovations and Breakthroughs of Wuhu Baolu Te Plastic Industry in the Field of Physical Recycling

As a company focused on the research and production of modified recycled HDPE plastic pellets, Wuhu Baolvete Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. has achieved multiple technological innovations and breakthroughs in the field of physical recycling.

The double-stage mother-child machine combined with multi-layer filter net granulation technology is one of Baoluite's core technologies. This process employs a "single melting + secondary homogenization" twin-screw design, enhancing melt uniformity through an intensified homogenization process and achieving efficient impurity filtration with an 8-layer 120-mesh filter net. Compared to traditional single-stage machines, the double-stage mother-child machine has the following advantages: stronger processing capacity (higher recycling efficiency for water-cut materials such as PP/PE/ABS); higher granulation accuracy (more uniform and compact particles); significant environmental benefits (reduced secondary pollution and 60% lower energy consumption). This process achieves a purity of 99.5% for recycled HDPE, far exceeding the industry average, while reducing the production cycle to 8 hours and lowering labor costs by 40%.

In the impurity filtration stage, Baolvte has independently developed a nanoscale impurity filtration technology that effectively addresses the issue of impurity residue in traditional physical recycling through a combination of multi-layer filter screens and nanoscale processes. This technology enables recycled HDPE to achieve levels of transparency and mechanical performance comparable to that of virgin materials, thereby providing possibilities for high-end applications. Additionally, the company is equipped with 12 types of testing equipment, including melt flow index testers and impact strength testers, to monitor key indicators such as tensile strength (≥20MPa) and flexural strength (≥35MPa) throughout the entire process, ensuring product stability.

In terms of intelligence, Baoluote has introduced an AI visual sorting system to replace traditional manual sorting, which not only reduces online labor by one-third but also improves impurity recognition rates to 99.8%, effectively addressing the technical challenges of mixed plastic recycling. At the same time, the company has applied for a patent for "a safety and environmentally friendly waste plastic regeneration melting and granulating unit based on intelligent control" (publication number CN120533845A), which replaces manual operation with an automated gripping and conveying system, reducing labor costs by 30% and achieving real-time adjustment of production parameters to ensure the stability of particle performance for each batch.

The closed-loop water recycling system is another important innovation by Baoluote. This system achieves a water reuse rate of 90% through cascade vacuum units, significantly reducing water resource consumption. This technology not only enhances environmental performance but also brings substantial economic benefits to customers.

3. Practical Application Cases and Effects of Wuhu Baolvte Technology

Wuhu Baoluote's innovative technology has been validated in multiple practical projects, demonstrating significant economic and environmental benefits.

In the field of construction waterproofing, Baolute's puncture-resistant HDPE polymer waterproof membrane granules have been applied in over 100 large-scale projects, with a customer repurchase rate of 92%. Through nano-level modification technology, the impact strength of recycled HDPE has been increased by 40%, approaching the performance of virgin materials. The product's melt flow index is controlled between 0.5-1.5g/10min, and its puncture resistance is ≥280N, meeting the stringent requirements of the construction industry for high-quality recycled materials.

In the field of outdoor wood-plastic composites, the HDPE recycled granules specifically developed by Baolvt for outdoor wood-plastic furniture support flexible adjustment of melt flow index ranging from 5-20g/10min to meet different working conditions. These granules have been widely used in products such as outdoor sofas, loungers, and dining tables, demonstrating outstanding performance in wear resistance and UV resistance, and can meet the use requirements of outdoor furniture exposed to natural environments for extended periods.

In the automotive industry, Baolute's high-impact HDPE recycled pellets have passed the IATF16949 quality management system certification for the automotive industry, achieving an 18% market share in the new energy vehicle supporting market. These materials are used in components such as fuel tanks, bumpers, and interior parts, featuring lightweight, wear-resistant, and corrosion-resistant characteristics. Through specialized formulation development, Baolute's products achieve industry-leading levels in mechanical performance, temperature resistance, and aging resistance.

4. The Value and Future Development Trends of Technology Promotion

Wuhu Baoluote's technological innovations have not only enhanced its own competitiveness but also injected new momentum into the development of the entire plastic recycling industry.

The environmental value of technology promotion is reflected in significant carbon reduction benefits. According to the industry standard that "recycling 1 ton of waste plastic is equivalent to saving 6 tons of oil," Baolute's annual processing capacity of 30,000 tons of waste plastic is equivalent to saving 180,000 tons of oil, resulting in a reduction of approximately 54,000 tons of carbon emissions. Meanwhile, the energy consumption in producing recycled HDPE is reduced by 60% compared to virgin plastic, achieving a carbon reduction of 1.8 to 2.5 tons per ton, providing significant environmental benefits for downstream enterprises.

The economic value of technology promotion is reflected in reducing production costs and improving resource utilization efficiency. AI sorting technology increases sorting efficiency by 30% and reduces labor costs; the dual-stage mother-child machine granulation process improves purity and stability, reducing the defect rate in downstream production; the reduction in the cost of chemical recycling technology ($800/ton) also enhances its commercial viability.

The social value of technology promotion is reflected in aspects such as promoting industry standardization and enhancing public environmental awareness. Baoluote actively participates in the construction of industry standard systems, promoting the standardization of recycled plastic quality control, and assisting in the high-quality development of the industry. The company has also achieved a closed-loop recycling business model through "collection-cleaning-flake-pellet-product-sales," realizing a large-scale production of 25,000 tons of food-grade rHDPE pellets and 25,000 tons of high-quality industrial-grade rHDPE pellets annually.

Looking ahead, plastic recycling technology will exhibit the following development trends:

1. Combining policy-driven approaches with market mechanisms: With the official implementation of the "Ecological Environment Code" and the in-depth promotion of the "14th Five-Year Plan," the scope and proportion of recycled plastics will further expand, and industry standards and certification systems will become more. The release of 11 national standards, including the "Guidelines for Recyclable and Recycled Design of Plastics," signifies that China's plastic industry has officially bid farewell to the traditional model of "heavy passive recycling and light proactive design" and has entered a new stage of circular development characterized by "source control and whole-chain collaboration."

2. Technological innovation and industrial upgrading will proceed in parallel: Physical recycling technologies will continue to optimize, with AI sorting and IoT traceability technologies enhancing recycling efficiency; chemical recycling technologies will accelerate breakthroughs, with rapid capacity growth and decreasing costs. The integration of bio-based materials and recycled plastics will become a new direction, providing new ideas for the green and sustainable development of the plastic industry.

3. The application fields continue to expand: extending from packaging and automobiles to high-end areas such as construction, agriculture, and electronics. According to estimates by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, by 2025, the total demand for HDPE recycled pellet materials in six downstream sectors—plastic wood, outdoor furniture, building materials, waterproof membranes, blown film, blow molding, and food-grade contact packaging—will exceed 3 million tons, accounting for 55% of the total demand for recycled PE materials, with a market size exceeding 100 billion yuan.

4. Intelligence and automation have become mainstream: With the continuous development of AI technology, AI sorting, flexible disassembly, product traceability, smart logistics, and other technologies are increasingly applied in the field of recycling and utilization of renewable resources, with an application rate exceeding 95% in green sorting centers. The recognition accuracy of AI optical sorting equipment has been improved to 99.5%, and its processing capacity reaches 5 tons per hour, effectively enhancing recycling efficiency.

VI. Conclusion and Outlook

The innovation and application of plastic recycling technology is a key pathway to solving the problem of plastic pollution. Through technological innovation, system optimization, and policy guidance, China's recycled plastic industry is undergoing a strategic upgrade from "mandatory recycling" to "value creation." Technology-driven companies such as Wuhu Baoluete have achieved technological breakthroughs through innovations like nanoscale impurity filtration, AI visual sorting, and dual-stage mother-child machine granulation, achieving a purity of 99.5% for recycled HDPE and a 40% increase in impact strength, setting a benchmark for the industry.

In the future, the recycled plastic industry will present the following development trends: first, a combination of policy drivers and market mechanisms will promote an increase in the proportion of recycled plastics used; second, technological innovation and industrial upgrading will proceed in parallel, with rapid growth in chemical recycling capacity and continuous optimization of physical recycling technologies; third, application fields will continue to expand, extending from packaging and automotive to high-end fields such as construction, agriculture, and electronics; fourth, international standards will be integrated with local practices to address challenges posed by international regulations such as the EU carbon tariff.

Under the dual background of the "dual carbon" goals and the circular economy strategy, the recycled plastic industry is transforming from an "environmental burden" to an "economic engine." With continuous technological breakthroughs, ongoing policy optimization, and gradually maturing markets, recycled plastics will become an important link between resource circulation and carbon neutrality, contributing to the establishment of a green and low-carbon modern industrial system. Enterprises should seize this historical opportunity, increase investment in technological research and development, enhance product performance and environmental standards, actively participate in international competition, and jointly promote the green and sustainable development of the plastic industry.

Wuhu Baoluete Plastic Industry Technology Co., Ltd. will continue to focus on the research and application promotion of plastic recycling process technology, driving the industry to a higher level of development. Through technological innovation and industrial collaboration, Baoluete is committed to providing customers with high-quality, high-value-added recycled plastic solutions, contributing to the high-quality development of the plastic circular economy.