By launching its modified RUF 1100, Ruf Maschinenbau GmbH has now added a new member to its PU series first developed about ten years ago specifically for ultralight material. These machines are designed for briquetting insulants like polyurethane (PU) and target refrigerator recyclers and sandwich panel manufacturers that have to dispose of large quantities.

This new briquetting system achieves a maximum capacity of 600 kg per hour. Particulate sizes of up to 50 mm can be processed, requiring only preliminary shredding. Following preparation in a coarse shredder or introduced directly as fines, the material then passes through a hopper housing a large screw of 170 mm where it undergoes initial compression. Running in compress mode, this screw effects a considerable reduction in volume at this early stage. Powered by a controlled gear motor, it is fitted with a special armour lining that protects it from abrasion.

The new RUF 1100 can therefore boast a particularly long service life free of problems and achieves a compression ratio as high as 1:50 following precharging and main pressing. This gives rise to a number of advantages for the machine’s operators. Unhealthy dust levels are reduced considerably, and the conveniently sized briquettes demand far easier internal logistics than uncompressed ultralight PU. In addition, external logistics, i.e. transport and subsequent recycling, is almost impossible to plan for uncompressed residue, not to mention the adverse effects on economy.

In the form of briquettes, PU residue lends itself well to recycling. In other words: Material prepared in this manner can be converted back into new products.

Thanks to its compact footprint of 2.7 × 2.5 m, the RUF 1100 requires only little space. It can process not only polyurethane, but also other ultralight materials of bulk densities less than 0.05 kg/l. For example, highly compressed briquettes can also be produced from high-volume sheets of aluminium, copper, and polyethylene.