Polypropylene (PP) regrind, purgings and runners

What it is

Regrind of sprues, runners and rejected parts; start-up purgings and lumps; and off-spec parts or film from PP processing.

Typical sources

• Injection moulders (automotive, packaging, housewares)
• Thermoformers
• Nonwoven and fibre producers
• Cap and closure makers

What buyers need to quote

• Homopolymer or copolymer
• Filled (talc or glass, with percentage) or unfilled
• Colour: natural, black or mixed
• Melt flow index, if known
• Form: regrind, purgings or parts
• Contamination: labels, inserts or other resins
• Packaging (gaylords or bags) and tonnes per month

Photo tips

• Regrind close up, with something for scale
• Purgings photographed separately from regrind
• The gaylord or bag and its label
• The data sheet for the original resin, if you have it

What raises its value

• One grade and one colour per lot
• A known resin data sheet
• Clean, dry material without fines
• Purgings kept separate from regrind

Common reasons for rejection or downgrade

• PP mixed with PE or other polymers
• Metal inserts or painted parts
• Dirt and floor sweepings
• Fillers not declared