What are residual materials?

Residual materials are unutilised material residues from industrial production that are left over from cutting, Deburring, Injection moulding, Compounding or tool changes.

 

Types and formation of residual materials

Residual materials are produced in almost all manufacturing processes. Typical sources in rubber and plastics technology are

  • Sprues, trimmed edges, Deburring residues
  • Overflow material at the Moulding presses or Injection moulding
  • Material residues when changing colours, materials or formulations
  • Parts that do not conform to specifications during sampling or set-up processes
  • Punching waste, calender waste or mix failures
  • Residual materials often accumulate in a defined composition and can be collected by type - ideal for material reuse.

 

Utilisation of residual materials

The right waste strategy improves both resource efficiency and sustainability in production:

  • Reuse in your own process (e.g. return to the Compound)
  • Grinding and regranulation (especially for Thermoplastics)
  • Sale as secondary raw material
  • Energy generation through thermal utilisation
  • Downcycling to less demanding products (e.g. floor mats, carrier parts)