As a leading provider of metal separation solutions for the plastics industry, Bunting made another strong appearance at the K-Show. This year, the Bunting booth was larger than ever, drawing a significant number of visitors from across the globe. The increased visibility and product range helped generate numerous inquiries and meaningful conversations with industry professionals.

The team at the Bunting stand was also diverse, with representatives from the U.S., UK, and Italy. This event marked Robert Bunting’s first international trade show since being appointed as President and CEO of the global Bunting Group. His presence highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and leadership in the field.

A Changing Plastics Industry

Environmental awareness is reshaping the plastics sector. There is a growing global movement to reduce single-use plastics, especially in packaging, with many companies shifting toward more sustainable alternatives—like Amazon replacing plastic with cardboard. Despite this, plastics remain essential in manufacturing a wide range of products, from automotive parts to everyday bottles.

With the push for a circular economy, both manufacturers and recyclers are innovating to make plastic more sustainable. This shift has created new opportunities for technologies that support efficient production and recycling processes.

From Primary Production to Recycling

Like other industries, primary plastics producers are focused on minimizing waste. Any byproducts are typically reclaimed and reused. However, recycling post-consumer plastic is far more complex due to contamination and mixed material types.

To tackle these challenges, multi-stage material separation systems are essential. At K-Show 2022, Bunting showcased a variety of separators designed to handle different stages of the process, from initial sorting to final purification.

Focused on Metal Separation

Bunting’s exhibit at K-Show 2022 centered on solving the issue of metal contamination in plastic processing. Even small metal particles can damage equipment or cause defects in finished products, leading to unnecessary waste. To prevent this, Bunting demonstrated magnetic separators and metal detectors that work together to ensure clean, safe production.

These systems are tailored to each plant’s layout. For example, Easy-to-Clean FF Drawer Magnets are often placed above injection molding machines to remove ferrous contaminants from raw or recycled plastic beads. Metal detectors then detect non-ferrous metals, ensuring thorough protection against contamination.

For recycling applications, the Eddy Current Metal Separator proved effective at separating aluminum from shredded PET. Combined with high-intensity Drum Magnets, it plays a crucial role in global recycling operations by removing all types of metal from waste streams.

An Evolving Future for Plastics

“Our booth was packed from the very first day,” said Alan Why, Bunting’s European Sales Manager. “The plastics industry is undergoing a major transformation, and this is driving demand for advanced separation technology. Both primary producers and recyclers need reliable solutions that maximize efficiency and minimize waste.”

“K-Show 2022 gave us a great platform to showcase our capabilities. It’s one thing to talk about performance, but seeing the technology in action makes a big difference. We left the event confident that we’re helping shape a cleaner, more sustainable future for plastics.”