Yoghurt pots become a round thing

With an annual production of more than 100,000 wheel units, Torwegge offers an environmentally friendly solution for industries such as mechanical engineering, furniture production and food manufacturing. Thanks to their special properties, TPBK wheels are load-bearing, non-marking, odorless and free from carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). "By using recycled granulate, we reduce the consumption of primary resources in production and the amount of plastic waste. This approach allows us to combine ecological responsibility with the high standards of functionality and quality that modern industrial and commercial companies expect," explains Niclas Lottmann, Production Manager at Innova Plast Kunststofftechnik, a subsidiary of Torwegge. The Bielefeld-based company took over the plastics specialist Innova Plast last year and expanded its range of services. Among other things, the plastics technology division was added to the portfolio, which includes the development and construction of plastic articles.

TPBK wheels are manufactured in precise work steps: After sifting the material, the granulate is heated and the ball bearing is overmolded. The production process requires only minor adjustments compared to the use of new granulate. The injection temperature is slightly increased by around five degrees due to the specific properties of the recycled granulate. "We made a conscious decision to use recycled material in order to optimize costs and reduce the environmental impact," explains Lottmann, adding: "The granulate meets our strict requirements for flowability and impact resistance so that the quality of the wheels is guaranteed at all times."

Wheel bodies made from recycled yogurt pots

The TPBK wheels consist of a ball bearing, a tread made of thermoplastic rubber and a wheel body made of recycled polypropylene (PP), obtained from yoghurt pots. They are fitted with thread guards to protect them from dust and dirt. Their non-marking nature, high load-bearing capacity and odorless use make them ideal for a wide range of applications, especially indoors. Thanks to PAH-free production, the wheels meet the highest environmental and health protection standards and are suitable for the food and medical industries.

The use of recycled materials helps to conserve resources and promote the circular economy. "Our TPBK wheels show that sustainability and functionality can be successfully combined," emphasizes Lottmann. At the same time, the recycled granulate offers economic advantages as it is more cost-effective than new polypropylene.

Torwegge remains open to other recycled materials in the future. "We are convinced that the use of sustainable materials in conveyor technology will continue to gain in importance," says Lottmann.