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Home | BOPP film shredding and recycling

BOPP Film Shredding and Recycling

Efficient recycling solutions for post-industrial BOPP film waste with WEIMA shredders
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When polypropylene film (PP) is stretched lengthwise and crosswise, stable BOPP film (biaxially oriented PP film) is created. This thermoplastic is one of the most widely used materials for flexible packaging worldwide. BOPP films impress with their high strength, transparency and very good barrier properties.
Whether classic transparent film, pearl white, metallized or micro- and macro-perforated variants - WEIMA offers high-performance shredding solutions for all types of BOPP film in order to efficiently recycle production waste and return it to the material cycle.

Customer applications: BOPP film shredding with WEIMA

Practical examples of successful shredding with WEIMA shredders
BOPP film shredding
BOPP film shredding with WEIMA S5.20 lift-up | Hägglunds hydraulic drive | DIAXON
A WEIMA S5.20 lift-up single-shaft shredder, equipped with a powerful hydraulic drive by Hägglunds Bosch Rexroth, shreds BOPP film that is mostly used for packing – at DIAXON in Greece.
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An orange shredder in a warehouse with a conveyor belt and a roll feeder with BOPP film.
BOPP film shredding
Shredding of nonwoven fleece and plastic film with WEIMA W5.22 and WLK 1500 with reel feeder
A WEIMA W5.22 and WLK 1500 shredder shreds nonwoven fleece, which is fed into the machine by a reel feeder.
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BOPP film shredding
Post-industrial film shredding with a WEIMA W5.22 @ EcoFib, Canada
A WEIMA W5.22 single-shaft shredder shreds post-industrial film at EcoFib in Canada.
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WEIMA CSO Kay trained in front of a glazed office
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WEIMA portfolio for shredding BOPP film

The right machine for every material
WEIMA WLK 1500 yksiakselinen murskain
Single-shaft shredder
WLK series
Machines in the WLK series are ideally equipped for a wide range of plastics tasks. The machine design is characterized in particular by its durability and robustness. Thanks to the conveyor belt cut-out, all machines can be seamlessly integrated into any production line. They also offer a wide range of options in terms of drive and cutting geometry.
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Single-shaft shredder
W5 series
With rotor lengths of 1,400 to 2,200 mm, the shredders in the W5 series shred large-volume plastic tanks and plastic garbage cans with ease. The hydraulically upward pivoting screen basket and the inspection flap allow foreign objects to be removed quickly and facilitate maintenance. Large quantities of plastic flakes can be removed via the wide conveyor belt cut-out.
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Single-shaft shredder
S7 series
With their extremely sturdy design and large rotor diameters of up to 700 mm, shredders from the S7 series offer almost unlimited application possibilities for shredding plastic waste. They are up to any challenge and can be equipped with a high-torque hydraulic drive.
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Developed for flat materials such as films: The F-Rotor

The optimum coordination of rotor, knives and counter knives is crucial for the shredding result. The selection of the components suitable for the material requires a high degree of experience. The F-rotor, specially designed for films, is characterized by its controlled feeding behavior.

By the way: For particularly abrasive or dirty materials, we recommend wear protection made of Vautid.

Specially designed WEIMA F-rotor for film

WEIMA F-rotor

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Recycling of BOPP film

The most important facts at a glance
Film waste is shredded in a large plant with WEIMA shredder for recycling
Typical types and forms of BOPP waste
  • Loose BOPP film and packaging film
  • BOPP blankets and cast film remnants
  • BOPP film rolls and roll edge remnants
  • BOPP lumps, start-up lumps and start-up cakes


WEIMA shredding machines provide you with a turnkey solution for your offline BOPP production waste. Residual materials are generated at various stages of the film production process - for example in the form of start-up lumps at the beginning and end of extrusion lines such as cast film extrusion. There are also roll residues that remain on the metal core. These are often folded into so-called blankets and are also ideal for recycling in-house production waste.
Shredding of BOPP films and plastic waste with WEIMA shredders
Robust plastic shredders from WEIMA are versatile and flexible when it comes to shredding and recycling BOPP film and other plastic waste. Thanks to individually configurable components - such as the rotor with specially adapted cutting blades, different drive variants, variable material feeds and customized material discharge - you can always achieve the optimum shredding result for your requirements. BOPP waste can be fed directly in almost any form. There is no need for time-consuming manual material preparation or size adjustment. The machine can be loaded flexibly: by forklift truck, wheel loader, manually by hand or conveniently automated via a conveyor belt.
Efficient shredding and regranulation of BOPP film
In most applications, BOPP materials are shredded to a homogeneous particle size of around 30 to 80 mm. This particle size is ideal for downstream extrusion and the production of high-quality BOPP regranulate. In order to achieve the greatest possible economic benefit, the recycled pellets produced are fed directly back into the production process for new films. This efficient in-house recycling of production waste not only saves considerable material costs and reduces the need for new pellets, but also conserves valuable resources. In addition, the reduction in volume of bulky, unwieldy waste materials significantly simplifies and relieves intralogistics. This allows your employees to concentrate on higher-value activities and sustainably increase your company's productivity.
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Free material tests in the WEIMA technical center
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Success stories

BOPP film recycling with WEIMA
April 19, 2023

Plastic Scrap Reimagined at EcoFib

EcoFib is a plastic recycler located in Drummondville, Canada. The company processes a variety of plastic scrap including post-industrial film waste, transforming it into plastic pellets that can be made into new products.

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Practical examples and references | BOPP film recycling with WEIMA

WEIMA shredders are synonymous with efficient plastics recycling worldwide including at
JINDAL Poly Films
Taghleef

Frequently Asked Questions about BOPP film shredding

Everything you need to know about safely and efficiently shredding BOPP film.
Is in-house recycling of our BOPP film waste worth it?

Yes, if your plant generates a steady stream of BOPP film waste, in-house recycling can significantly reduce disposal needs, lower virgin material consumption, and stabilize your material supply. Shredding converts loose film into consistent, flowable flakes that are ideal for regranulation and reintegration into production. This also reduces forklift traffic and storage volume because fluffy film becomes compact, manageable flakes.

Which types of BOPP films can your shredders handle?

WEIMA shredders can process transparent, pearl white, metallized, printed, and coated BOPP films as well as post-industrial waste such as edge trim, changeover waste, and off-spec rolls. The setups shown on this page work across a broad range of packaging films. Machines like the S7.20 lift-up model and the W5.22 are demonstrated at DiAxon and EcoFib, showing compatibility with all major BOPP film types. With the right cutter geometry and feeding method, the system can handle films of varying thickness, stiffness, and surface finish.

How does a WEIMA BOPP film recycling setup work from start to finish?

Film waste is fed into a single-shaft shredder such as the W5.22 or S5.20, where it is reduced to uniform flakes. The flakes are then conveyed to a downstream regranulation system, processed into pellets, and returned to your production line. Depending on your layout, the entire system can be configured around existing material flows and intralogistics.

We process light, slippery film. Will it wrap around the rotor?

No, WEIMA provides film-optimized rotors and controlled feeding systems that help prevent wrapping and bridging. BOPP films are strong, thin, and slick, which can cause issues in general-purpose shredders, but WEIMA’s film-ready designs address this directly. Options like the F-Rotor and tailored feed systems keep material engaged with the rotor and maintain stable throughput. Because film strength is defined by standards such as ASTM D882, a rotor geometry designed specifically for films makes a measurable difference in practice.

What does the shredded output look like, and is it ready for regranulation?

The shredded output consists of uniform, flowable flakes that are easy to convey, dose, and melt in an extruder. These flakes are directly suitable for regranulation. WEIMA showcases post-industrial film recycling where the W5.22 produces clean, consistent flakes that customers process back into film production. Reliable flake uniformity helps reduce material costs and keeps the process loop simple.

Can a WEIMA shredder be integrated into our existing production line?

Yes — WEIMA shredders are engineered for seamless in-line integration. The system can connect directly to conveyors and downstream recycling equipment, allowing material to move smoothly from production to shredding and then to regranulation. This reduces internal handling effort while turning bulky, hard-to-manage film waste into clean, compact flakes. The result is a streamlined intralogistics workflow and a more efficient recycling loop.

What maintenance should we plan for on a film shredder?

Routine maintenance includes knife checks, cleaning around the cutting chamber, and regular inspection of wear parts. WEIMA’s designs prioritize access, making daily service straightforward. Keeping knives sharp, removing buildup, and following scheduled inspections ensures consistent flake quality and dependable throughput. A simple preventive maintenance plan keeps uptime high and long-term performance stable.