Rising recycling quota requirements, increasingly complex material blends, and the growing use of recycled materials are presenting the plastics industry with new challenges. At the same time, production facilities must be cost-effective, reliable, and operational for as long as possible. The cleaning of machine and mold components plays a central role in this.
At the Compounding & Recycling Expo 2026 on September 23 and 24 in Frankfurt, SCHWING Technologies will demonstrate how thermal cleaning technologies can help efficiently remove polymer deposits, additives, and material residues, thereby creating the conditions for stable production processes. The specialist in thermal cleaning systems will present its technologies in Hall 11, Booth D713.
Different Materials – Different Cleaning Methods
Whether it’s compounding, extrusion, or plastics recycling: The cleaning requirements are as varied as the materials and components used. Stubborn deposits can form, particularly when switching between different polymers or when processing recycled materials.
SCHWING Technologies therefore relies on a variety of thermal processes that are specifically tailored to the respective application.
VACUCLEAN and VACUCLEAN COMPACT use thermal vacuum pyrolysis and are suitable, among other things, for cleaning pelletizing dies, extruder screws, screw elements, laser filters, and filter discs. They can remove a wide variety of plastics and polymer residues.
For particularly large components, the MAXICLEAN cleaning system is available. The thermal pyrolysis process is suitable, for example, for large extrusion dies and plastics.
INNOVACLEAN offers a specialized solution for demanding applications. Fluidized-bed technology enables the cleaning of hot-runner manifolds, perforated plates, screw elements, and other components. Even high-temperature plastics such as LCP, PEI, PPS, or PI can be thermally cleaned using this method.
SCHWING’s thermal processes remove organic contaminants selectively without subjecting the metal components to be cleaned to mechanical stress. Depending on the application, additional post-treatment processes can be employed.
Recycled materials change the requirements for cleaning
As the use of recycled materials increases, so do the demands on the preparation and processing of plastics. Different types of polymers, additives, fillers, and contaminants can lead to complex residues in extruders, molds, and filter systems.
For SCHWING Technologies, therefore, a customized cleaning process is a key component of an efficient recycling process.
Technology Meets Service
SCHWING Technologies not only offers thermal cleaning systems for worldwide use but also supports customers in Germany with its own cleaning service. At the company’s location in Neukirchen-Vluyn on the Lower Rhine, customers and prospective clients can have their contaminated components tested under real-world conditions. Based on the specific components and types of contamination, it is possible to determine which process is suitable for the respective application. The results can then serve as the basis for selecting and designing a custom cleaning system.
Sustainability starts with machine components
as well. Thermal cleaning can also contribute to a more sustainable approach to handling high-quality machine and tool components. If components are cleaned reliably and can therefore be used longer or more efficiently, resources and the need for replacement parts can be reduced.
SCHWING Technologies is continuously advancing its cleaning technologies, with an increasing focus on energy-efficient, safe, and automatable processes.
SCHWING Technologies at the Compounding & Recycling Expo 2026
At the Compounding & Recycling Expo 2026, trade visitors can learn about the various thermal cleaning technologies and discuss specific applications with SCHWING experts.
September 23–24, 2026
,Messe Frankfurt
,Hall 11 | Booth D713
The focus will be on solutions for cleaning components from compounding, extrusion, plastics processing, and recycling.
SCHWING Technologies invites trade visitors to explore together how thermal cleaning can be integrated into existing production and recycling processes—for less downtime, higher machine availability, and more efficient use of resources.
About SCHWING Technologies
With nearly 60 years in the market, SCHWING Technologies GmbH is a global technology leader in high-temperature systems for thermal cleaning, thermochemical material finishing, and heat treatment of metal parts and tools in the manufacturing industry. SCHWING manufactures and operates its systems at its headquarters in Neukirchen-Vluyn on the Lower Rhine. Its approximately 2,500 international customers include companies in the plastics and fiber industries as well as the chemical and automotive sectors. With its approximately 80 employees, the company offers the best equipment and system solutions—economically, ecologically, and in terms of quality—for every cleaning need. With more than 250,000 workpieces cleaned annually to the highest quality and environmental standards, SCHWING is also a reliable service partner as a cleaning service provider.
Press Contact
: Alexandra Schönberger,
SCHWING Technologies GmbH
, Oderstraße 7
, 47506 Neukirchen-Vluyn
, M +49 177 4540909
, T +49 2845 930 126
, redaktion@schwing-tech.com
www.schwing-technologies.com
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