Decentralised Technology for the Sorting of Textile Floor Coverings

Abstract

Carpet Recycling Europe GmbH (CRE), an initiative of the European carpet industry, has developed the world's first automatic sorting plant for used carpets with a capacity of 20,000 tonnes/year close to Mainz (Rhine-Main Area, Germany) since May 2000. Based on these experiences of the last two years, an overview is given on the technical and economical performance of an sorting plant within a closed loop recycling system for carpets.